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7 Best Swim Caps for Kids (2025 Reviews)

best swim caps for kids
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Whether your child is starting swim lessons, splashing around in the pool for the summer, or swimming competitively, you should consider purchasing a swim cap for them. Swim caps help protect your child while they swim. They reduce the amount of pool chemicals that leech into their hair and allow less water in their ears. They also protect your child’s head from the sun.

There are plenty of swim caps on the market, and they come in solids, bright colors, and prints! I’ve gathered the best swim caps for kids to help you find the one that suits your needs.

Best Swim Caps for Kids

  • 1. Alepo 2 Pack Kids Swim Caps for Boys Girls

    (Best set — $$)

    Why it’s great: This is a great set that comes with two swim caps, two noseplugs, and two sets of earplugs, ensuring your child has everything they need for the water. The caps come in two different sizes, so you can choose the one that is right for your child. You can also choose from a few different color options. They’re made of eco-friendly silicone that’s durable, comfortable, and stretchy. The great thing about these swim caps is that they have ergonomic ear pockets that keep your child’s ears safe by reducing pressure.

    Keep in mind: While the ear pockets are great, they also make it so the cap doesn’t fit quite as tight.

    Good for: Kids who complain of ear pain when they’re swimming.

    Alepo 2 Pack Kids Swim Caps for Boys Girls

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 2. Vorshape Swim Cap Kids (2 Pack)

    (Best value — $)

    Why it’s great: These swim caps come in a set of two at an affordable price, making them great for anyone on a budget. They’re made of silicone and sized for kids ages 4-8 years old. These come in bright colors with a fun water ripple pattern that’ll make your child easy to spot when they’re in the water. These caps also have an anti-slip interior design to help keep them in place.

    Keep in mind: There are no color options or size options.

    Good for: Younger kids who need an affordable swim cap.

    Vorshape Swim Cap Kids (2 Pack)

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 3. Arena Classic Youth Silicone Unisex Swim Cap

    (Best for preschoolers — $)

    Why it’s great: The PVC-free, flat molded silicone swim cap is thick and warm. It was designed for little heads and fits toddlers and preschoolers up to five years old. It comes in a variety of solid colors or a couple of prints. It offers a smooth, soft comfortable fit, making it great for training or just everyday use. It’s durable and affordable, which is a great combination for anything that’s designed for kids.

    Keep in mind: This swim cap is tight, so it’s best for toddlers or preschoolers with shorter hair.

    Good for: Young kids who need a swim cap.

    Arena Classic Youth Silicone Unisex Swim Cap

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 4. FUNOWN Kids Swim Caps for Kids

    (Most fun — $)

    Why it’s great: This is one of the few higher-quality swim caps that comes with an adorable design. If your little one loves unicorns, they’ll love this cap. You can also choose between pink or purple. It’s made of durable silicone that’s easy to get on and off. It has a non-slip interior, so it won’t slide around while your child is wearing it. This cap is designed for kids ages 2-8 years old. You can also buy matching unicorn goggles to complete the set!

    Keep in mind: This runs on the smaller side, so it’s best for kids in the younger age range, especially if your little one has long hair.

    Good for: Little girls who love unicorns and want a fun design on their swim cap.

    FUNOWN Kids Swim Caps for Kids

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 5. 2 Pack Durable Silicone Swimming Caps for Kids

    (Most options — $$$)

    Why it’s great: These caps come in a two-pack with a few different color options. The bright colors will also make your child easy to spot in the water. You can also choose from three different sizes, making it great for kids ages 2-12 years old. These are made of high-quality silicone that won’t rip or tear. They’re warm, soft, and comfortable, with a textured interior to keep them from slipping off. These caps are easy to get on and off and won’t pull your child’s hair.

    Keep in mind: These are not wrinkle-free, so they’re not going to be as fast for competitive swimmers.

    Good for: Kids of all ages who want a bright, fun swim cap.

    2 Pack Durable Silicone Swimming Caps for Kids

    View on Amazon.com ➜

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  • 6. Speedo Unisex-Kids' Plain Moulded Silicone

    (Best quality — $$)

    Why it’s great: When it comes to swimming equipment, you can’t go wrong when you purchase something from Speedo. All their swimming gear is high-quality, and this silicone swim cap is no exception. It’s durable and comfortable, making it a great choice for your child. It has an ergonomic fit and it creates a smooth outline in the water, so it’s perfect for training or competitions. It comes in a variety of colors and fits kids ages 6-14 years old.

    Keep in mind: This one is a little pricier, considering you only get one swim cap.

    Good for: Kids who need a high-quality swim cap.

    Speedo Unisex-Kids' Plain Moulded Silicone

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 7. Happy Mane Silicone Swim Cap for Braids and Dreadlocks

    (Best for textured hair — $$)

    Why it’s great: If your child has thick or textured hair, braids, or dreadlocks, this is the swim cap for them. It’s designed with premium silicone that’s flexible and stretchy enough to handle these types of hair and hairstyles. It’s durable and offers a tight fit, keeping your child’s head and hair protected. As an added bonus, it also comes with a nose clip, earplugs, and a storage bag.

    Keep in mind: Double-check the sizing chart to make sure this will fit your child’s head properly.

    Good for: Kids with thick hair, braids, or dreadlocks.

    Happy Mane Silicone Swim Cap for Braids and Dreadlocks

    View on Amazon.com ➜

Best Overall

Alepo 2 Pack Kids Swim Caps for Boys Girls

The Alepo 2 Pack Kids Swim Caps for Boys Girls is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..

Alepo 2 Pack Kids Swim Caps for Boys Girls

View on Amazon.com ➜

FAQs about Kids’ Swim Caps

  • 1. Why should I get my child a swim cap?

    Swim caps can help protect your child’s hair while they swim. While they won’t keep your child’s hair completely dry, they will limit the exposure and damage from chlorine and other pool chemicals. These caps also keep hair out of your little one’s face while they swim and they also keep hair out of the pool, so you won’t have to worry about clogged drains or filtration systems.

  • 2. What material is the best for kids’ swim caps?

    Silicone, latex, and lycra are the three main materials that you’ll find for swim caps. They each have their own pros and cons. Silicone keeps your child’s head warmer, doesn’t pull the hair, and has minimal folds, making it great for speed. Latex is cheaper and has good stretch and elasticity, but it’s not as soft or warm and tends to pull hair. Lycra is best for toddlers and kids who are casual swimmers. It’s comfortable and doesn’t hold heat, making it great for protecting your child’s head from the sun.

  • 3. Do swim caps keep water out of your ears?

    Swim caps aren’t meant to keep water out of your ears. They do help hold earplugs in place, though, so they’re a great choice to add alongside earplugs if your child needs more protection.

  • 4. How do I get a swim cap on my child?

    It’s much easier to get a cap on wet/damp hair, as it will snag and pull dry hair, so rinse or soak your child’s hair first. Then, line up the cap with the middle of your child’s forehead and then stretch the cap over and around their whole head. Tuck in any hair and adjust it over their ears.

  • 5. Do swim caps make you swim faster?

    Yes, swim caps can make you swim faster. Hair, especially long hair, slows you down by causing drag in the water, so keeping it contained in a swim cap will reduce drag and make you faster. Swim caps with fewer folds and wrinkles will help even more.

Conclusion

Swim caps are a great way to keep your child’s hair and head protected from harsh pool chemicals and the sun. Finding one that’s comfortable, effective, and durable can be a challenge. This list offers a variety of options for kids of all ages, so you should be able to find one that will work well for your child.