What size cowboy hat does a kid wear?
It depends on the child, so measure instead of going by age. American Hat Makers' adult chart starts at XS, which covers a 20 to 20 7/8 inch head, and small runs 21 to 21 7/8 inches. Many older kids and teens land in those sizes. Younger children usually need hats made in kids' sizes.
How do you measure a child's head for a hat?
Same way as an adult. Wrap a soft measuring tape around the head where the hat will sit, just above the ears and about an inch above the eyebrows. Keep it snug, not tight. Measure twice, ideally while they're distracted by a snack, and use the larger number if you get two different ones.
What are the best kids' cowboy hats?
The best kids' cowboy hat fits now, is light enough that they'll keep it on, and has a chin cord for windy days. Straw for summer, wool felt for cool months. Our launch store doesn't list children's sizes yet, so we don't show a grid of adult hats and call it kids' gear. If your child measures 20 inches or more, adult XS or small can work.
Should you buy a kid's hat a size up to grow into?
No. A hat that's too big slides over their eyes and blows off at the first gust, and then it lives under the car seat. Buy the size that fits now. If it's a little loose, a foam insert behind the sweatband takes up the slack, and you can pull it out as they grow.
Can a kid wear a cowboy hat while riding a horse?
A cowboy hat isn't head protection. For riding, use a riding helmet certified to ASTM/SEI standards. Penn State Extension notes that helmets that aren't safety certified offer no protection and are only cosmetic. Save the cowboy hat for before and after the ride, and for the photo by the fence.
Felt or straw for kids?
Straw for warm weather and everyday play: it's lighter and cooler, and kids run hot. Felt for cool-weather events, photos, holidays and the stock show. Kids are rough on hats, so whichever you pick, teach them to set it down on its crown. It's a good first lesson in hat manners.
How do you keep a hat on a kid?
Start with the right size. A chin cord helps on windy days; plenty of western hats come with one. Have them wear their hair low rather than in a high ponytail, which pushes the hat up. And accept that some hats will be lost to the wind. It happens to grown-ups too.
Does a cowboy hat protect a kid from the sun?
It helps with shade, especially on the face and neck, but it isn't a sunscreen substitute. MD Anderson recommends a brim of at least two to three inches all around and a tightly woven material, and notes many straw hats have gaps that let sun through. Use sunscreen on the parts the brim doesn't cover.
Can a kid wear an adult cowboy hat?
If their head measures into adult XS or small, yes. The catch is proportion: adult brims are cut for adult shoulders, so a four-inch brim can swallow a small child. Older kids and teens usually look great in an adult hat with a medium brim.
How do you clean a kid's cowboy hat?
Brush off dirt with a soft brush. For straw, dust cornstarch on greasy spots, let it sit, and brush it away; use a damp cloth for tougher marks. For felt, brush counterclockwise and lift dust with a barely damp cloth. Let it dry at room temperature, away from heat, which can shrink a hat.
