Whilst kids generally love nothing more than playing in the pool, there’s one thing that kids hate about swimming - that unwelcome sting when chlorinated water gets in their eyes.
Googles can not only help prevent eye irritation, but allow your child to fully explore their surroundings, both above and below the water.
Whether they are swimming simply for fun or starting to take it more seriously, a good pair of goggles can protect your child’s eyes from chlorine chemicals, dirt, debris and bacteria in the water, preventing red or sore eyes after a session at the pool. Most kids’ goggles also offer UVA and UVB protection, which can also prevent eye damage from the sun’s powerful rays.
Most parents will know, however, that finding a decent pair of goggles can be tricky. A poor pair of swim goggles can be difficult to adjust, snag in your child’s hair, leak or steam up during use, slip off, need constant readjustment or dig into their face leaving large red rings when they are removed. At times, it can feel like your child spends longer adjusting their googles than they do enjoying the water.
There are lots of swim goggles for kids on the market, with huge variances in terms of quality and price.
Here are some things to consider when selecting the right pair for your child:
- Non-leak: children hate getting water in their eyes, particularly the sting of chlorine, so a good quality pair of swim giggles needs a securely fitting non-leak seal around the eyes. Goggles that leak around the sides of the nose are a big no-no. For younger children, you may find that larger style goggles or masks that go around the outer edges of the eye socket are easier when looking to achieve that watertight seal.
- Comfort: No child wants the tight-fitting squeeze that leaves red panda eyes and a pinched bridge of the nose when you remove them. Look for goggles that have comfort and fit in mind. Most children’s goggles are fully adjustable, with the preference being for pairs that can be easily adjusted by the child themselves, even when they are on. This way your child is fully in control and can determine the appropriate level of tightness to suit their needs.
- Anti-fog: Most children’s goggles come with an anti-fog coating to prevent them from steaming up and affecting visibility under the water. Not all of these coatings are permanent however and can wear off through repeated use.
- UV protection: If you’re using goggles on holiday or in an outdoor setting, you may want to look out for lenses that offer protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays which can damage children’s delicate eyes.
- Colour of the lens: Some goggles come with a coloured or mirrored lens, whilst others are darker shades or clear. Your preference of lens colour will depend on whether your child is intending to use the goggles in an indoor or outdoor environment, and how bright or dull the surroundings are.
- Fun or functional? How seriously is your child taking swimming? Are they a beginner simply wanting to protect their eyes whilst having fun or are they elite swimming competing in races and so are looking for the ultimate ergonomic fit?
- Price: How much do you want to spend on your kid’s goggles? There is an element of getting what you pay for, with more expensive goggles often offering more flexibility over adjustment, wider vision lenses or sun protection. You can, however, pick up beginner goggles for kids at a fairly budget-friendly price.
- Prescription: If your child has any specific optical needs, you may need to look into prescription goggles which come at a greater cost.
The majority of goggles on our list are aimed at juniors aged children (6-14 years old), however, some are also suitable for younger users aged 0-6 years.
Whether your child is regularly attending swimming lessons, preparing to splash around on holiday or simply enjoying some fun-filled sessions at their local pool, here’s the ES Best round up of the best children’s goggles.
Aqua Sphere Kids Seal 2 Regular Swimming Mask Goggles
These larger size ‘mask style’ goggles are a great ‘all round’ choice, offering a secure, leak-free fit for children aged three and above. They offer easy to adjust side buckles, that are quick and straightforward to loosen and tighten as required - even when wearing!
Available in nine different colour/lens colour combinations tailored to suit a variety of indoor and outdoor swim environments, you can select an appropriate lens colour depending on where your child is swimming, whether it’s bright and sunny, overcast or poorly lit.
With curved lens technology, the Aqua Sphere Kids Seal 2 offer a wide field of vision, allowing your child to see a full 180 degrees around them as they swim and dive underwater. The lenses also offer full 100 per cent UVA and UVA protection and have an anti-fog coating to ensure maximum visibility, without steaming up.
As well as being scratch-resistant, these kids goggles come with the helpful addition of a protective case, ideal for preventing damage when your child throws them back into their swim bag after a fun-filled session at the pool.
Buy now £17.35, Amazon
Aqua Sphere Kayenne Junior Swimming Goggles
With similar benefits to the Seal 2 but aimed at children aged 6 and above, the Aqua Sphere Kayenne comes with a medium eye socket fit, helping create a secure seal whilst avoiding the unattractive red ring ‘panda eyes’ upon removal.
Offering a clear lens that is ideal for indoor swimming and darker conditions, the Kayenne goggles come with an EZ adjust buckle system to put your child fully in control, simply pulling the straps back to create tension, or lifting the tab and pulling the google forward to loosen.
The curve lenses on the Kayenne goggles provide a 180-degree field of vision without the distortion that can affect perceptions of pool depth. They also offer 100 per cent UVA and UVB sun protection and come with a protective case to prevent scratches or accidental damage.
Buy now £16.09, Amazon
Speedo Unisex Kids Futura Biofuse Flexiseal Swim Goggles
Well known for both their adult’s and children’s swim goggles range, Speedo’s Kids Futura Biofuse Flexiseal goggles come with great reviews regarding comfort, offering a super soft flexible seal that is more cushioned for younger swimmers, preventing the constant readjusting and assistance required from cheaper brands that may pinch or dig in.
The Futura Biofuse Flexiseal goggles come with a flexible external frame that can adapt to the contours of your child’s face, meaning they will fit securely and are less likely to leak, regardless of your child’s face shape.
With a mirrored wide vision lens, not only do they offer great visibility under the water, but are suitable for both indoor and outdoor swimming, with reduced glare making them an ideal choice for children who are racing or taking their swimming more seriously.
Buy now £25.00, Amazon
Zoggs Unisex Phantom Elite Junior Goggles
The Zoggs Phantom Elite Junior are generously sized unisex kid’s goggles in a choice of three colours, suitable for children aged 6 - 14 years.
Another great choice for elite swimmers, those having lessons or enjoying swimming as a sport, they come with mirrored lenses that reduce glare and reflected light, making them ideal for bright conditions, such as on holiday or in an outdoor pool.
With a fast and secure quick-adjust system - children can simply push the release button to loosen and pull to tighten, even when wearing. The durable split silicone strap ensures they stay securely in place whilst reducing pressure around the eyes that can cause marks or rings, whilst the contoured eye seals help prevent leakage.
They also have the must-have UV protection and anti-fog coating for sun safety and good visibility in the water.
Buy now £20.44, Amazon
Frogglez Kids Swim Goggles
If you have a younger child who struggles with the tight fit of a traditional pair of goggles, the Frogglez Kids Swim Goggles may offer a welcome alternative.
These ‘headset’ style goggles sit higher up on your child’s head, so are less likely to irritate their ears or get caught or snagged in long hair.
Suitable for children aged 3 or above, they are easy to fasten and adjust using velcro tabs, and are can be adjusted to fit as your child grows.
It’s worth bearing in mind that they take longer to dry than traditional goggles and older children may prefer a less infantile design, but for younger children with long hair or curly hair which may otherwise get caught or tangled, they provide a no tears solution for beginners.
Buy now £44.38, Amazon
Zoggs Kids Ripper Junior Swimming Goggles
Available in a choice of two colours (pink and purple or red and blue), these more traditional goggles for kids come with colour tinted lenses for medium protection in the sun and bright indoor light.
Whilst the slide to adjust mechanism is a little more fiddly than some of the other googles on our list, they offer flexibility to suit ages 6 to 14.
Despite their budget-friendly price, they come with the reassuring UV protection you’d expect and an anti-fog coating for clear, safe swimming under the water.
Buy now £7.14, Amazon
COOLOO Kids Swimming Goggles
If you’re a parent of more than one child looking to pick up some high-quality goggles on a budget, the COOLOO Kids Swimming Goggles come in a great value pack of two, perfect for siblings.
Available in a choice of bright multicoloured designs to keep your child visible even when underwater, these child-friendly silicone goggles are strong and durable, with a double elastic head strap that prevents slippage and fits snuggly on the majority of face shapes.
They have a double-layer seal that helps prevent unwelcome leaks, whilst the flexible nose bridge avoids an uncomfortable pinch that could leave your child unhappy or uncomfortable.
Relatively easy to tighten or lengthen as required, the COOLOO goggles can be adjusted to fit head sizes from three to fifteen years of age.
Their clear transparent lens is ideal for indoor swimming, with anti UV, anti-fog and anti-scratch protection layers for clear vision and longevity.
Buy now £11.99, Amazon
TOPLUS Swimming Goggles Kids
The TOPLUS Kids Swimming Goggles are also high quality, comfortable goggles with anti-fog and external UV protection, keeping your child happy and protected in the water.
Made from fully adjustable silicone rubber with a soft bridge across the nose, these goggles mould to the shape of your child’s face for maximum comfort and have no hard links, connections or edges that can dig in or mark the face.
As such, your child is less likely to constantly remove or adjust their goggles, experience skin irritation or find red rings around their eyes upon removal. This set of two pink and blue goggles also comes with a handy swimming cap.
Buy now £6.99, Amazon
Speedo Biofuse Mask
For younger children aged 2-6, or those who are more tentative or nervous in the water, you may find these larger mask style goggles provide both comfort and reassurance. With no need to constantly adjust around the eyes, the super-soft seals on the Biofuse adapt to the shape of your child’s face, with a softer gel layer against their skin to ensure comfort.
The Speedo Biofuse Mask offers a wide field of underwater vision and comes with an anti-fog coating to prevent misting or steaming up.
Easy for your child to fit and adjust, the mask comes with a stretchy neoprene strap and velcro side adjustment that is less likely to trap hair than traditional goggles. Whilst some found the elastic strap may wear through regular use, others felt it was a game-changer for those reluctant to put their face underwater.
Buy now £17.00, Amazon
Zogg Kids Little Sonic Air Swimming Goggles (0-6 years)
Suitable for children aged up to 6 years, the Zoggs Little Sonic Air Swimming Goggles are a popular choice for kids learning to swim and adjusting to underwater swimming for the first time, whilst offering peace of mind and UV protection for holidays or trips to an outdoor pool.
Bright and appealing for younger children, they come in a choice of four fun multicoloured designs with colour tinted lenses suitable for both indoor and outdoor swimming.
With a key focus on comfort, the Little Sonic googles have innovative air-filled cushioning to prevent panda eyes and can be easily adjusted using the side clips.
Buy now £16.50, Amazon
Verdict
For being a great all-round, comfortable, protective and robust pair of swim goggles, the Aqua Sphere Kids Seal 2 get our vote as the best goggles you can buy for kids today. Offering sun protection, anti-fog and anti-scratch technology, a protective case and a choice of lens types to suit your swimming arrangements, they are also easy to adjust, fit snuggly, don’t leak and wont leave red marks or ridges around the eyes. Whether your child is a beginner, taking lessons or embracing a love of swimming as a sport, the Aqua Sphere Kids Seal 2 are a mid-price point pair that offer great value for money.
