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7 Best Toddler Rash Guards (2025 Reviews)

Toddlers, Kingsley and Aurora playing
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Going to the beach as a family always means preparing for all the activities you’re going to be doing, like snorkeling, kayaking, building sandcastles, boogey boarding, and more. With all those potential water activities, it’s important to keep your kids geared and ready to go. Toddlers’ sensitive skin will be especially susceptible to rashes and irritations from the sand and saltwater.

A rash guard can alleviate much of the irritation and also keep your little ones from getting too many UV rays. You can focus on all the fun activities the beach has to offer, without worrying about rashes, scrapes, and burns. We’ve put together 7 of the best rashguards for your toddler, so you can spend less time searching online, and more time hitting the waves.

Best Toddler Rash Guards

  • 1. Carter’s Simple Joys Rash Guard Set

    (Most cutesy boy style — $)

    Why it’s great: No wonder this rash guard gets such high reviews: it’s true to size, the material feels good against the skin, and the designs are fun and whimsical. There’s a drawstring in the bottoms (unlike others that have a faux drawstring!) and the neckline and sleeves can stretch to accommodate putting it on. It’s super durable and will hold up to use after use. All of the images on the rash guard are nautical themed, such as sharks, alligators, and boats. Your little guy will look adorable playing along the shore!

    Keep in mind: It’s best to hand wash this one, so that it can last a long time.

    Good for: Active kiddos who play hard.

    Carter’s Simple Joys Rash Guard Set

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 2. Rufflebutts Girls Rash Guard 2-Piece Swimsuit Set

    (Most variety — $$)

    Why it’s great: We tend to buy two-piece suits, like this one because, during potty training, time is of the essence. And like most rash guards, this one has built-in UPF 50+ sun protection—so nice to have peace of mind about that! All RuffleButts swimsuits/rash guards are made of a high-quality nylon and spandex blend to be dependable against sun, sand, and chlorine. The material is soft and stretchy, and it’s easy to pull on and off. The bottoms are fully lined, and designed to fit over training pants without bulky or sagging fabric. The rear ruffles are the biggest hit… your little one will get so many compliments while wearing this!

    Keep in mind: If your toddler is already potty trained (woo-hoo!), then you may want to order bottoms that are one size smaller because they come with a little extra room for diaper/training pants.

    Good for: Parents who want their tots to look stylish, while also wearing something super practical for the outdoor elements at the shore.

    Rufflebutts Girls Rash Guard 2-Piece Swimsuit Set

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 3. Uideazone Rash Guard Swimsuit

    (Best onesie — $)

    Why it’s great: I remember a phase my son went through, where he would shed his clothing faster than superman. If you have one of these Houdini’s in your family, you don’t have much to worry about at the beach this summer. Wearing the Uideazone rash guard, your little one will stay dressed (easy for parents to remove; harder for children) and well protected against the sun and sand. The sleeves come down the arm about ¾ of the way, and the neckline is high, providing decent coverage of UV rays. The polyester blend that it’s made of is quick-dry, which can definitely come in handy, especially if you’re on vacation. Lastly, there’s a variety of designs, including an adorable shark option, so there’s something for every kid in your family.

    Keep in mind: Some people say that the colors shown online are a slightly different shade than what they receive.

    Good for: Those who don’t want any sand sneaking into the suit.

    Uideazone Rash Guard Swimsuit

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 4. Kimjun Rash Guard with Hat

    (Most eye catching — $)

    Why it’s great: To start with, having a matching hat adds an adorable element to this rash guard. Plus, the had has a flap that protects the back of the neck from the sun. It’s a onesie style that zips in the back, and the material is comfortable and made of quick-dry material. The leg length is better than many—on my niece it goes nearly to her knees, offering quite a bit of UPF coverage. This suit actually comes in a bunch of sizes, all the way from 12m to 7T. You could easily get matching rash guards for the siblings and some seriously cute pics at the beach. Functional and whimsical, the Kimjun rash guard is both.

    Keep in mind: Wash this by hand like suggested, or else the material will start to pill after several washes.

    Good for: Unicorn lovers!

    Kimjun Rash Guard with Hat

    View on Amazon.com ➜

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  • 5. Yolipuli Rash Guard Swimwear

    (Best sleeve coverage — $$)

    Why it’s great: It can be a mommy-daughter day every day at the beach with one of these cute designs from Yolipuli. The patterns are more mature (yet still lively) than other rash guards we’ve reviewed in this article, which makes it a good match for both people. The sleeve length is perfect for assuring you won’t get a sunburn through the UPF 50+ protective layer of fabric. There’s even a thumb-hole design meant to keep the sleeve in place effortlessly. The zipper also has a small cord attached for easy opening/closing; super helpful when you’re hands are wet! Young children love to be like the adults around them, so with this rash guard swimsuit, you’ll bring a smile to their faces, as well as those around you.

    Keep in mind: The smallest size is 3T, so this is meant for older (or larger) toddlers.

    Good for: Moms and daughters who want to find each other easily at the shore! And for twinning with your mini-me.

    Yolipuli Rash Guard Swimwear

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 6. Green Sprouts Rash Guard Shirt

    (Most all-natural — $$)

    Why it’s great: For the youngest toddlers, the fit of this rash guard is phenomenal because of the easy on-off style of the sleeves. It is just the top portion, so pairing this with a swim diaper or other type of bottoms is a must. It won’t be too tight for your little one; it fits a little looser for comfort. Perfect for time in kiddie pools or in mom/dad’s arms in the water. The Green Sprouts company is big on fair trade and using the best materials….the rash guard is OEKO-TEX® certified, a global certification system. All Green Sprouts products have been independently tested against over 350 harmful substances for your child’s health and safety. You can breathe easy knowing your child is not only getting the benefits of a traditional rash guard but is also wearing fabric that is oh so….green!

    Keep in mind: This can run small, so you may want to order the next size up.

    Good for: Young toddlers ages 12m-24m.

    Green Sprouts Rash Guard Shirt

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 7. DreamWave Rash Guard Tankini

    (Best all-in-one — $$$)

    Why it’s great: It’s nice to get everything done at once….and buying this set does just that. No matter if your toddler is going to have a pool day or a beach day, this set by DreamWave has either option. There are several styles to choose from, from mermaids to Trolls! It comes with a short sleeve rash guard shirt, full coverage bottoms, a swim skort, a bikini top, and a one-piece suit as well. The colors are vibrant and the material is a nice, thick quality. What a great option for going to an all-inclusive resort on the beach!

    Keep in mind: The rash guard shirt for this one is short sleeve.

    Good for: Vacations where you may need different types of swimwear.

    DreamWave Rash Guard Tankini

    View on Amazon.com ➜

Best Overall

Carter’s Simple Joys Rash Guard Set

The Carter’s Simple Joys Rash Guard Set 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..

Carter’s Simple Joys Rash Guard Set

View on Amazon.com ➜

FAQs about best toddler rashguard

  • 1. What does a rash guard do?

    A rash guard protects a person’s skin from harmful UV rays, sand, and rough waves. It’s a solution originally designed for surfers, that had now gone beyond the surfing world, into the mainstream public. Basically, it’s an athletic shirt (made of spandex, nylon, or polyester) that protects the person’s skin while swimming. No more rashes, chafing, bad sunburns, or scrapes.

  • 2. Are rash guards only necessary in the summer?

    Any time your child is going into the ocean is a good time to wear a rash guard. It’s not worn just to help with UV rays, but also for the chafing and rashes, people can get from saltwater waves.

  • 3. How do I launder a rash guard?

    It’s best to launder them by hand. If you’re not going to get to it right away, try to rinse it out with fresh water before letting it dry. Then, when you’re ready to wash it, use a biodegradable soap and wash it by hand. This will keep the integrity of the material.

  • 4. At what age will my child need to use a rash guard?

    Although you don’t see many infants in the ocean, rash guards are made for babies as small as 3-6 months in size. At whatever age your child is going to enjoy the ocean, make sure he/she wears a rash guard to protect their delicate skin.

  • 5. Does my child still need sunscreen if the rash guard protects against UV rays?

    It’s always a good idea to put on sunscreen, no matter what. Most rash guards protect UPF 50+, which is awesome. But remember, there are parts of your child’s body not covered by it. So, the neck, face, hands, feet, and sometimes legs (depending on style) need to be lathered up with Sunscreen . I usually put a light layer on my son’s belly and arms, even though they are covered by the rash guard. Double protection!

  • 6. How should the rash guard fit?

    There are loose and fitted types of rash guards. I prefer the fitted ones for my child because sand won’t go up the pant leg and irritate him. It’s also less cumbersome for him when he swims.

  • 7. Does the rash guard keep my child warm in colder water?

    Due to the type of material they are made of, the amount of warmth generated by the rash guard is minute. Instead of relying on that, you can do something small, such as have your child wear a swim cap . This helps out a bit to keep the youngster a little warmer, and thus able to enjoy the waves a little longer.

Conclusion

There is a lot of information out there about protecting your children from harmful elements. When you’re around water, especially the beach, wearing a rash guard checks a lot of the boxes. Protection from the sun’s rays, less chafing from salt and sand, fewer scrapes from rocks, and more. Trust us, you don’t want a miserable toddler who is up all night after playing at the beach in a regular swimming suit. Any one of the 7 rashguards we’ve listed will be a good pairing for a day on the shore. Don’t forget to grab one for yourself, too!