The Best Swim Goggles For Kids To Keep Their Eyes Comfortable In Water
Hours of swimming can be damaging to kids’ delicate and developing eyes. Swim goggles sized especially for smaller faces protect them and keep kids comfortable while they splash the day away. We think the Speedo Unisex Hydrospex are the best swim goggles for kids overall because of their great comfort features, awesome color options and the ability to get a secure fit.
The best swim goggles for kids boost their comfort and confidence at the pool or beach.
Jennifer May, a certified swim instructor and founder and CEO of Lifecycle Aquatics says, “Goggles are like socks—they go missing all the time. Have a few extra pairs in your swim bag.” Whether you’re looking for goggles for competitive swimmers or just some fun summer styles, we’ve found the best swim goggles for kids.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
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.
- 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 lost-and-found goggles bin, so her kids have been the unexpected testers of dozens of types of goggles.
- Margaret Badore, the baby and kids gear editor at Forbes Vetted and also a mother, oversees this article.
- 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 regularly review this article to ensure accuracy and relevance. It was last updated in July 2024, when we checked all stock and prices and added the FAQ section.
How We Chose The Best Swim Goggles For Kids
We relied on our own experience as parents of swimmers, contacted other parents we know for real-world feedback on which kids goggles they think are worth buying and leaned on expert insights.
- To find the best swim goggles for kids, we took into account our personal experience as the mom of three kids who all genuinely love to swim.
- We took advice from other parents of young swimmers about how long the goggles lasted and how they held up over time and through chlorine exposure.
- We interviewed May, a certified swim instructor and CEO of Lifecycle Aquatics, about what to look for in a great pair of swim goggles for kids.
- When comparing multiple options, we evaluated factors like comfort, adjustability, affordability and range of colorways.
- We also pored over real customer reviews and star ratings to ensure that the majority of buyers were happy with their purchases.
What To Look For In The Best Swim Goggles For Kids
While goggles can make swimming more enjoyable, there are still a few safety tips to keep in 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 panic because their eyes got wet—or keep their eyes closed, which prevents them from knowing what direction to swim to for safety.” That said, here are some key factors to consider when shopping for your child’s next pair of swim goggles.
Comfort And Fit
“Don’t buy adult-size goggles for young children—they won’t fit,” says May. Always look for child-size goggles. But 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.
Is It Sanitary For Kids To Share Swim Goggles?
The chlorine in pool water kills germs well, so sharing goggles after swimming in a pool is not a major issue. The fit is a more significant issue. May says, “Each goggle style fits differently, and everyone has different facial features. A goggle that fits one person doesn’t necessarily fit or be comfortable on a different person.” She also recommends that goggles be adequately dried off after swimming so mold doesn’t grow on them. If swimming in nonchlorinated water, goggles can be washed, so follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Does My Child Need Prescription Swim Goggles If They Wear Glasses?
May explains that “seeing well while swimming helps to avoid collisions with other people or pool infrastructure. Collisions can cause injury or concussions and can be disorienting and cause panic.” An excellent way to judge if prescription swim goggles suit you is if your child’s “vision is not good enough to see other people and pool structures.” Prescription swim goggles are clearly not sharable and are more expensive, so keep them stored safely.