How to Know If Your Child Needs a Rashguard

Across the board, most kids will benefit from a rashguard, whether it’s shielding them from harmful UV rays or protecting their skin from chafing. But there are situations where a rashguard is even more important for keeping a child safe and injury-free. 

Below, we’ll break down exactly what a rashguard is, who benefits most from one, the best settings to wear one, and the types of rashguards available. 

What Does a Rashguard Do?

A rashguard is a snug piece of swimwear designed to cover your torso, arms, and sometimes legs as well. A rashguard is made from a specialized nylon material, allowing it to dry quickly and retain its shape in water. 

Rashguards are worn by kids and adults alike. Many adults in the surfing community wear rashguards to save their skin from getting burns and rashes from rubbing against their board (hence the name of the garment).

Benefits of Rashguards for Kids

Why have rashguards become so popular in recent years? Because the single clothing item offers a multitude of benefits. 

Sun protection

If you want to see the ultimate display of endurance, watch a child playing in a pool with their siblings. They can spend hours in the water without giving it a second thought — which means that sunscreen you applied before they got in quickly wears off. 

A rashguard eases the battle of sunscreen reapplication. If they’re wearing a long-sleeve rashguard, you have a lot less surface area to cover. 

Temperature regulation

Some kids run hot, and others run cold. Those who are cold are often one of the first out of the pool, lake, or ocean — even if they want to continue having fun. 

Rashguard material is a great temperature regulator, which allows kids to stay warmer even in chilly water. Think of a rashguard as a milder version of a dive suit, which keeps scuba divers warm in frigid waters. 

If your little one runs hot, but you still want them to wear a rashguard for the other benefits, you can opt for a short-sleeve option. 

A protective layer

On a day at the beach, kids can end up with bruises and burns from all kinds of things: 

• Being flipped off the towable while tubing 

• Chafing from a life jacket

• Wiping out on their bodyboard 

• Brushing against a jellyfish 

A rashguard offers a barrier between your child’s skin and all these environmental factors. While it may not prevent the injury entirely, it will certainly lessen its damage.

Wound coverage

Sometimes, a child may have gotten a gnarly scratch or cut playing in the yard before the pool day. If you want to keep the wound protected, a rashguard will make sure it’s covered.

Rashguards are also helpful for kids who are going through medical treatment and may have a feeding tube or port. A rashguard will shield the sensitive area, while also protecting the child from curious glances over passersby. 

Best Situations for a Rashguard

Rashguards are perfect for activities where reapplying sunscreen is a little less convenient, like if you’re taking your kids on a long kayak trip. Rather than move around in a precariously balanced boat to reapply sunscreen to their back, your child can simply apply SPF to their neck, face, and legs. 

Snorkeling is another great time to use a rashguard. Kids can get mesmerized by the underwater world — all while their back, which may not be used to getting a lot of sun, is slowly frying. A rashguard prevents that painful sunburn and allows your children to enjoy the view. 

This garment is also helpful for kids who enjoy games on the sand as much as swimming in the ocean. When kids dive for the ball in beach volleyball or Spikeball, they might get some pretty sizable friction burns from the sand. A rashguard will offer a layer of defense for those must-dive moves. 

Types of Rashguards

The age of your child will likely determine the style of rashguard you choose. For example, toddlers and young children are often a good fit for long-sleeve one-piece rashguards. If you want easy access to swim diapers, a two-piece rashguard can be great for babies. 

Kids over five often graduate to stand-alone rash guard shirts. However, there are full-body rash guard options if a child gets cold very easily or is at higher risk of sun exposure. 

Find Your Child’s Favorite Rashguard at Hadley’s Bungalow

Keeping your child safe is much easier when they actually like what they’re putting on. At Hadley’s Bungalow, we designed our rashguards to be your child’s favorite piece of swimwear. The fun designs will make them smile while the fitted sleeves and high-quality material will keep your child comfortable all day long. Check out our rashguards and entire children’s swimwear collection today.