Kids' skin is thinner and more sensitive to UV damage than adult skin, and sunburns during childhood are directly linked to higher skin cancer risk later in life. The good news: dressing for the water is one of the easiest sun-safety wins available, since it works all day without needing to be reapplied. Here's what to actually look for.
What UPF Means (and Why It Matters More for Kids)
UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) measures how much UV radiation a fabric blocks — and unlike sunscreen, it doesn't wash off, sweat off, or wear off over a few hours.
| UPF Rating | Protection Level | UV Blocked |
|---|---|---|
| 15–24 | Good | ~93–96% |
| 25–39 | Very Good | ~96–97% |
| 40–50+ | Excellent | ~97.5–98%+ |
For kids specifically, UPF 50+ is the easy answer — it's the top tier, and it means one less thing to manage on a day when reapplying sunscreen on a squirming eight-year-old every two hours just isn't realistic.
What the American Academy of Pediatrics Recommends
The AAP's official guidance lays out a layered approach for protecting kids outdoors:
- Dress kids in long-sleeved shirts and long pants when possible, ideally tightly woven or UPF-labeled fabric.
- Add a hat with an all-around 3-inch brim to shade the face, ears, and neck.
- Use sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection.
- Apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen (SPF 15+) on any skin not covered by clothing, reapplying every 2 hours or after swimming.
- Limit direct sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UV rays are strongest.
- Keep infants under 6 months out of direct sunlight entirely — clothing and shade are their main defense, since sunscreen isn't recommended at that age.
Clothing is the one item on that list that a kid can't forget to do, wash off in the water, or ask you to reapply — which is exactly why it's worth leading with.
What We Carry for Kids
Our Youth UV Fishing Shirt line (sizes 8–20) is built specifically for sun protection: long-sleeve, moisture-wicking "Wicked Dry & Cool" fabric with built-in UV/UPF sun protection, available in a range of prints:
For younger kids, we also carry a toddler line (sizes 2T–7) described as sun-protective, quick-dry fabric:
A note of transparency: the Youth 8–20 line is specifically categorized and tagged as UPF Sun Protection apparel by the manufacturer. The 2T–7 toddler shirts are described as sun-protective and quick-dry, but don't list a specific tested UPF number — a good layer for a fishing trip, but we'd still pair them with a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen on any exposed skin for full coverage on longer or brighter days.
A Simple Checklist for a Family Day on the Water
- Long-sleeve UPF shirt (check the tag for a specific rating when it's stated)
- Wide-brimmed hat with a 3-inch brim
- Kid-sized sunglasses with 99%+ UV protection
- Broad-spectrum sunscreen on hands, feet, ears, and any skin the shirt doesn't cover
- Shade breaks and water access outside the 10 a.m.–4 p.m. peak window when possible
Shop the Kids' Fishing Apparel collection.
Trying to decide between UPF 30 and UPF 50+ for the rest of the family? See our UPF 50+ vs UPF 30 guide for how much of a real difference the rating makes.
And since sunglasses made the checklist above, our guide on why lens color matters for sight-fishing is a good next read for picking a pair that actually helps you see fish, not just block glare.