With rising temperatures and extreme heat waves in the forecast, swimwear is one of the smartest purchases you can make to stay cool this summer. The options for babies and toddlers are seemingly endless, whether you want one-piece tanks, rashguards or two-piece sets with built-in swim diapers. Navigating the choices can leave you lost in a sea of online reviews and open browser tabs. To simplify the process, focus on the most important aspects—the suit’s material, construction and coverage level—to determine the best picks for your baby.
Your first priority: Seek out lightweight, fast-drying materials since no one likes a soggy bathing suit. Nylon or polyester blends tend to perform best, as well as spandex. Also look for fabrics with four-way stretch and strong recovery—meaning the suit will spring back into shape after being pulled, so it doesn’t become droopy over time. In terms of construction, zippers in in the front or back of the suit make it easy to get on and off. And snaps or buttons along the bottom seam or leg are crucial for diaper changes on the go.
Also crucial: Protection from the sun, salt water and chlorine, which can really irritate babies’ sensitive skin. So the more coverage a suit provides, the better. Swimwear with UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) helps block UVA and UVB rays, but you’ll still want to slather sunscreen on babies older than six months. Long sleeved, high-neck swim tops and rashguards are the heroes of your beach bag, since they can be paired with trunks or layered over bikinis and other cute suits that might leave more areas of skin exposed. Speaking of cuteness, babies outgrow swimwear fast—most bathing suits only last a season before becoming hand-me-downs—which makes finding a well-made yet affordable option all the more essential.
Luckily, now is the ideal time to shop. Mid-summer sales mean you can find many highly rated suits at a discount, including some luxury pieces for less than $20. With that in mind, we rounded up the best swimwear brands that babies, toddlers and little kids can make a splash in.
Minnow: Smartly-Made Matching Sets
Inspired by relaxed California living, Minnow is known for its clean lines and unisex seaside prints, which appeal to both boys and girls. The extensive range includes one-pieces, bikinis, board shorts, briefs, rashguards and other resort wear in sizes that extend from newborns to tweens. Collaborations with fashion shops and brands like Brock bring a sense of fun and whimsy to capsule collections, too.
RuffleButts: The Highly-Rated Amazon Favorite
This wildly popular and cheekily-named brand racks up thousands of positive reviews on Amazon, with fans praising the high-quality fabrics, vivid colors and affordable prices. This bestselling Long Sleeve One Piece Swimsuit with UPF 50+ Sun Protection gets top marks—see the 13,000-plus reviews—for its stitching (“nicely done, ruffles behind are lovely without being uncomfortable”), perfect-length sleeves and neckline and the fact that it comes in 26 different patterns ranging from florals to stripes.
Hanna Andersson: Adorable Suits That Go the Distance
Swedish designer Hanna Andersson has been making joyful children’s wear since 1983. Her eponymous label, now based in Portland, OR, celebrates Scandinavian principles of “happiness and design,” and includes impeccably-made, fast-drying swimsuits in modern Scandi prints for babies and the whole family.
Mott50: Sun Coverage That’s Seriously Stylish
Launched in 2011, Mott50 was one of the first brands to create fashion focused, sun-protective clothing for adults, which amassed a loyal following, and it now makes children’s pieces as well. Everything from all-in-one sunsuits to separates (trunks, bikinis, sun shirts), features UPF 50+ and comes in sizes 0-12 years.
Reima: High-Quality Designs From Finland
Reima, a kids’ activewear brand from Finland, has been making sleek, sporty clothing since 1944. The swimwear is extremely hardy and made with sustainable practices and non-toxic materials, so you can feel good about suiting your little one up in these pieces.
Summersalt: Comfortable Suits For The Whole Family
Known for its comfy adult suits that are created using data-driven fits collected from 10,000 real women, Summersalt recently launched a small assortment of baby and kids swim pieces in coordinating styles and colors (ideal for family matching moments). Limited edition capsules, such as these garden-party-themed pieces (seen above) from super popular lifestyle brand Rifle Paper Co., are cute enough to wear all day.
Andie: Eco-Friendly Fabrics And Perfect Fits
Australian brand Andie is favorite among beachgoers everywhere (including celebrity mom Demi Moore) for streamlined basics in great-fitting shapes. The kids’ line features one-piece suits, bikinis, trunks and rashguards made from a blend of 87% recycled polyester (from repurposed post-consumer plastic) in beautiful colorways.
Hugo Loves Tiki: For Influencers In The Making
Hugo Loves Tiki’s standout swimwear for boys and girls comes in charming-chic prints that makes stylish waves wherever you go. The fabrics are stretchy but durable and the signature motifs—featuring bees, snails, ants—are created with eco-friendly ink.
Primary: Simple, Fuss-Free Suits in Every Size
For parents who appreciate the absence of logos and frills and prefer solid colors and streamlined patterns, Primary is the source for everyday essentials—swimwear included. Boys’ and girls’ rash guards, tanks and trunks come in sizes that range from infant up to 14-years-old and include UPF 50+ coverage.
Mini Boden: Bold Suits With Brilliant Details
British brand Mini Boden believes in making swimsuits fun and functional: Think 3-D prints that change color underwater, playful stripes and neon colors done right, built-in sun protection and harder-to-find pieces for babies and kids, such as surf leggings.
Janie and Jack: The Sweetest Prints For Newborns And Up
California-based Janie and Jack captures the nostalgia of classic detailing that your grandmother might handknit onto keepsake clothing combined with modern fits for growing babies and toddlers. The swimsuits come in irresistibly cute prints for boys and girls, are fully lined and often feature special appliqués (that actually stay put).
Lands’ End: Sporty Styles for Little Kids
Lands’ End excels where other brands can fall short: athletic-inspired swim separates for boys and girls that fit well, are colorful but not overly trendy and really last, which is great for slightly older kids (ages 2 and up) who keep their swim gear for a few seasons.
Shade Critters: Insta-Worthy Suits With Sun Protection
Shade Critters specializes in swim and resort wear with a sun-soaked Palm Beach-inspired vibe. These are not just pretty suits that fall apart in the wash, though: Smart details like reinforced stitching, tailored fits and UPF 50+ certified fabric make them both practical and on-trend.
L.L. Bean: Classics That Are Guaranteed To Hold Up
Maine-based outfitter L.L. Bean has always prioritized quality and durability—with a 100% satisfaction return policy—which ensures everything lives up to your expectations. The swimwear is especially popular among parents of active toddlers and kids (ages 2 and up) for its quick-dry fabrics, nifty prints that are never too loud and comfortable fits that your little ones will want to stay in all day.
