Short-Sleeved Rash Vests
A children's rash guard takes one job off your list at the pool or beach: it's a snug, quick-drying swim top that keeps the sun off the shoulders and back, where little ones tend to burn first, so there's less sunscreen to chase them around with. Every one in our range is rated UPF 50+.
We stock 11 styles in long and short sleeves, sized from 1-2 years up to 6-7 years, so whether you're packing for a first beach vacation or dressing a child who'd happily live in the pool, there's one here that fits.
Which Children's Rash Guard Suits Your Child?
For the most coverage, we'd reach for the Premium Long Sleeve Rash Guard. It's fully lined for extra comfort against chafing, with a high neck for the back of the neck and a front zip that makes getting it on and off a wriggling toddler a little easier. It comes in four colors, three of them neon, in sizes up to 6-7 years.
Prefer a print? Our printed long sleeve styles, like Turtle Tide, are made from a lightweight fabric with 20% elastane, so they stretch and move with a child who's busy climbing rocks and digging moats, in sizes 1-2 to 4-5 years.
Each rash guard is designed to go with our Splash Jammers, swim diaper shorts in matching prints, so the whole outfit comes from one place. If your child is between sizes, our size guide has the measurements.
When full sleeves feel like too much on a hot day, a short sleeve style like Under the Sea still covers the shoulders and upper arms, in sizes up to 3-4 years. It does leave more of the arm bare, so it's best for splashing in and out of the shade rather than a whole afternoon in full sun.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best one is the one your child will happily keep on, which usually means it fits snugly without digging in and carries a UPF 50+ rating. Whether you're shopping for a toddler or youth rash guard, long sleeves and a high neck protect more of the arms and shoulders, and our Premium Long Sleeve Rash Guards add a soft lining against chafing.
Mostly to protect their skin from the sun. A UPF 50 fabric blocks 98% of the sun's UV rays, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, and unlike sunscreen it doesn't need reapplying every time your child dashes back into the water. The snug fit also stops sand rubbing during long beach days. Any skin the rash guard doesn't cover still needs sunscreen.
Mostly the fit. A rash guard is cut close to the body and a swim shirt usually hangs looser, so think of it as leggings versus sweatpants. Both can carry the same UPF rating, and plenty of brands use the names interchangeably. On our site you'll also see rash vests and rash tops, and they're all the same fitted garment.
Neon orange is the most reliable all-around pick for visibility. In ALIVE Solutions' swimsuit visibility tests, neon orange and neon pink stood out most in a light-bottomed pool, but neon pink faded in lake water while orange held up. White and light blue almost disappeared in both. A bright rash guard makes your child easier to spot, though we'd never treat it as a stand-in for an adult keeping watch.
There's no minimum age, so you can start from your baby's very first swim. Our Happy Nappy™ Sunsuit pairs a UPF 50+ rash guard with a built-in Happy Nappy™ swim diaper and fits from 0-3 months to 2 years. Our separate rash guards start at 1-2 years, ready to pair with Splash Jammers once your toddler has graduated to shorts.