Hours of swimming can be damaging to kids’ delicate and developing eyes. Specially made for smaller faces, child-sized swim goggles protect eyes and keep kids safe and comfortable while they splash the day away. Whether you’re looking for goggles for competitive swimmers, need goggles for a kid with an eyeglass prescription or just some fun summer styles, we’ve found the best swim goggles for kids.
We found the best swim goggles for kids, no matter if you're headed for the pool or beach.
Illustration: Forbes / Photos: Retailers
To find the best goggles, I took into account my personal experience as the mom of three kids who genuinely love to swim, advice from other parents and I spoke to Jennifer May, a certified swim instructor and founder and CEO of Lifecycle Aquatics. “Goggles are like socks–they go missing all the time. Have a few extra pairs in your swim bag,” May says. While goggles can make swimming better, there are still a few safety tips to keep mind.
“Getting eyes wet is a safety skill. It’s important for people to learn to tolerate some degree of swimming without wearing goggles,” May reminds parents. “If someone were to fall in the water, they likely wouldn’t be wearing goggles. We still need them to perform their safety skills and not start panicking because their eyes got wet or keeping their eyes closed, which will prevent them from knowing what direction to swim to for safety.” That matters when wearing goggles too—because as most adults can attest, even the best pairs can leak every now and then. Always practice smart water safety, wear sunscreen and never let your children swim alone.
Comfortable And Affordable With Color Options For Everyone
Amazon
Speedo Unisex Hydrospex
Speedo, the well-known swim gear brand, makes our top pick for goggles for kids. We love is these affordable goggles’ gasket shape, which means they have a silicone rim around the frames. That rim helps attach the goggle's suction to the outer eye area so they stay secure when positioned correctly. We also like that while these are children’s goggles, they’re a nice middle size that can fit most kids. Each eye frame is made of one piece of silicone, so it’s extra comfortable. There’s no adjustable nose piece, which can be uncomfortable and a sizing hassle for kids.
The lenses have built-in UV protection and anti-fog coating, which is helpful for kids who may get thrown off guard if their lenses fog up. The split silicone head strap helps kids to get a good fit. If your child is resistant to wearing goggles, the fact that these come in 12 different color combinations may encourage some wear. Let your child choose their favorite colorway and get ready to swim. These goggles were one of May’s top picks since she finds they fit most kids well.
Best Budget Swim Goggles For Kids
Function At A Fair Price
Amazon
Cressi Dolphin 2.0
Since we now know goggles are like socks and bound to get lost, it’s hard to drop a ton of cash on a pair of goggles. On the flip side, cheap junky goggles are bound to break quickly and won’t provide safe eye protection for your kiddo. Enter Cressi, an Italian brand that makes high-quality goggles at an affordable price.
Cressi is another of May’s top picks, because the “fit is nicely universal and the strap adjustability is excellent.” Ideal for kids 4 to 8 years old, Dolphin 2.0 goggles are made from a soft silicone material. The lenses have both fog and UV protection. One feature that I love is the incremental side strap adjustment. Any parent who has tried to tighten or loosen goggles through a hard-to-navigate buckle can appreciate the easy-to-adjust side clips that make tightening or loosening the straps a breeze. Available in 12 colors, your kiddo is bound to find a pair they like.
Best Swim Goggles For Kids With A Wide View
An Affordable Two Pack
Amazon
Seago Swim Goggles (2 Pack)
Wide-view goggles may be more comfortable for some kids who appreciate the soft silicone seal that goes around the forehead instead of circling each eye. No more raccoon eyes from single-seal goggles. The view is more prominent along with the different fit, so kids may like the wide view and increased ability to see in the water. The lenses are coated with anti-fog and UV coating providing both comfort and protection.
As a parent, I like the fact that the head straps are easily adjustable. Once you get the correct circumference, the straps go on and off with a one-button release. The secure button is easy to release and something my long-haired daughter would benefit from—no more goggle straps getting tangled in her hair. These affordable goggles come in various colorways and a two-pack, so your kid share with a buddy, sibling or stash an extra in mom’s beach bag.
Best Competitive Swim Goggles For Kids
A Sleek Low-Profile Fit
Amazon
Speedo Jr. Vanquisher 2.0
“Competitive swimmers should opt for goggles with a gasket that sits on the inner eye socket and fits snugly,” says May. She explains that goggles for these types of swimmers “are sleek, low-profile, and do a better job staying on top of the pressure of diving and swimming quickly. Plus, they look cool.” The Speedo Jr. Vanquisher 2.0 meets these requirements.
These low-profile goggles have cushioned silicone seals to keep water out while maintaining a tight and comfortable fit. The junior size is made to fit kids from 6 to 14 years old. Part of what assists this wide range of sizing is the three nosepiece options. They are easy to pop in and allow your kid to get the right fit on their face. UV protection and anti-fog coating are suitable for racing both indoors and out. With 15 color options and a reasonable price tag, these are an excellent choice for your competitive swimmer. Now, go win the race!
Best Reflective Swim Goggles For Kids
Sunny Days Ahead
Amazon
Tyr Swimple Youth Metallized Goggle
Reflective goggles are helpful for kids swimming outside on a sunny day (hopefully, most of summer). The reflective lenses help minimize glare from the sun and enable kids to see a little better. We aim to include affordable goggles since they often go missing, so these from popular brand Tyr fit the bill.
Available in 14 fabulous colors, the lenses are made from polycarbonate material and have built-in UV and anti-fog features. They are made for a wide range of ages, from 3 to 10, though they may be too small for older kids with bigger faces. Parents say they are easy to put on, a cinch to adjust and stay in place, which is what you want in swim goggles. Besides protecting from the sun’s glare, the reflective lenses look pretty cool, which could be a selling point if you’ve got a goggle-resistant child.
The Forbes Vetted team researches and recommends a wide range of kids and baby gear, including clothing and accessories. That includes the items children need to enjoy the water safely, like infant life jackets, baby swimsuits and sunscreen for kids. As parents ourselves, we’re committed to helping our readers find products that make life with little ones easier and more joyful.
Maya Polton is the author of this story. She has three kids, and her family belongs to a local pool club where her kids can swim for hours. Those long hours in the pool are made more comfortable by wearing their goggles. The pool also has a goggle lost and found bin, so her kids have been the unexpected testers of dozens of types of goggles.
We enlisted the help of Jennifer May, Certified Swim Instructor (U.S. Swim School Association), Certified Lifeguard, Certified Pool Operator) and the Founder and CEO of Lifecycle Aquatics for her take on safety and goggles.
We will regularly update this article to ensure accuracy and that is stays up-to-date on the best goggles for kids.
How We Chose The Best Swim Goggles For Kids
We contacted parents we know for real-world feedback on kids' goggles to see which were worth buying, how long they lasted and if they held up over time and chlorine exposure.
We interviewed a certified swim instructor about what to look for in a great pair of swim goggles for kids.
We considered factors like comfort, adjustability, affordability and range of colorways.
We pored over customer reviews and star ratings to ensure that the majority of buyers were happy with their purchases.
Our final list includes a variety of kids' goggles, all within an affordable price range, since we know goggles are often items that go missing and only last for a certain amount of time.
What To Look For In The Best Swim Goggles For Kids
Here are some key factors to consider when shopping for you child’s next pair of goggles.
Comfort And Fit
“Don’t buy adult-sized goggles for young children—they won’t fit,” says May. Always look for child-sized goggles. Goggles fit each kiddo differently, so be aware of face shape and head size when shopping. The goal is for the goggles to be comfortable around the eye sockets and nose. A proper fit means they are less likely to leak.
Head Strap
An adjustable head strap is vital to securing fit and ensuring the goggles are leak-free. May shares that incorrect strap placement is a common mistake. “The strap should go high on the head, not low. This placement helps keep the goggles snug to minimize leaks.” Many goggles come with dual straps, which can help keep them secure. Others have a one-button release, which we like for ease.
Anti-Fog
Fogging goggles are a common complaint among kids and can even become a safety hazard if your kiddo cannot see. All of the goggles on our list include anti-fog features.
