The Complete Guide to Choosing Glasses for Kids: Tips, Safety and Style

Picking out the right pair of glasses for your child can feel like a big decision, but there’s no reason it should be overwhelming. Whether your little one needs glasses for reading, sports, or full-time use, finding the perfect pair can boost their confidence while ensuring comfort and safety. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about buying new kids’ glasses.

Step 1: Age-Specific Glasses Considerations

When choosing children’s eyeglasses, the age you’re buying for is a big factor. As a parent of two kids, I know first hand how their faces change so quickly, and their needs vary depending on their stage of development. Let’s break it down by age groups to make the process easier:

Toddlers and Preschoolers (Ages 2-5)

Comfort is key when choosing glasses for kids in this age group. Toddlers are still adjusting to wearing glasses, so a lightweight frame and getting polycarbonate lenses for children (which are impact-resistant) are a must. The frame should preferably be flexible to prevent breakage. At this age, be sure to look for safe glasses for children – rounded edges instead of sharp parts.

What to look for:

• Flexible frames with softened parts (e.g., rubber or silicone), especially in infant eyeglasses.
• Polycarbonate lenses for durability and safety.
• Colorful, fun designs to encourage wearing them.

Expert tip: For the most part, kids at this age are less fashion-conscious, so almost always put safety and comfort over style into your considerations.

School-Aged Kids (Ages 6-11)

For school-aged children, balancing style and functionality comes into play. At this stage, kids may want to choose their frames, so showing them a variety of styles to choose from can help them feel excited and more confident about wearing their glasses. Durable kids’ frames made from materials like acetate or stainless steel are ideal, as they can withstand the rough-and-tumble of school life and playtime. 

What to look for:

• Lightweight but sturdy frame materials
• Fun designs that let your child express their personality

Teens (Ages 12+)

Teenagers are more likely to be picky about style. If they play any active sports, sports glasses for kids will deliver performance, comfort and protection – and they tend to be in styles (wraparounds, for example) kids at that age go for. Prescription sports glasses are also available.

What to look for:

• Trendy frames that’ll feel comfortable
• Sports frames for active teens, with or without Rx lenses

Step 2: Kids’ Glasses Recommended Frame Materials and Lens Types

There’s a wide-variety of frame materials to choose from, and the same goes for lens types. It all depends on what your kid will be doing the most while wearing the glasses. Here’s what you need to know:

Frame Materials:

• Acetate: A durable, relatively flexible plastic material that’s comfortable and available in a variety of colors or color combos.
• Stainless steel: Known for being lightweight and strong, ideal for active kids.
• Rubber or silicone: Not necessarily the entire frame but can make up parts of it. Provides softness and flexibility that is more often than not used for younger ages.

Lens Types:

• Polycarbonate lenses: A top choice for kids, even if they aren’t taking part in any organized sporting activity, as they’re impact-resistant and lightweight compared to standard lens materials.
• Sports-specific lenses: If your kid does a lot of their activity outdoors, getting them glasses with polarized sports lenses can help with glare, or even anti-fog lenses if they ski, snowboard or are into cycling.

Step 3: Fitting and Comfort

Making sure your child’s glasses fit well is the #1 thing to consider, beating style. Glasses that don’t sit right may even discourage your child from wearing them, especially for those who are about to wear glasses for the first time. 

Tips on how to ensure the fit is perfect:

• Adjustable temples: Allow for a more customizable fit, which comes in handy with kids that are growing and their faces are changing.
• Nose pads: For older kids and teens, adjustable nose pads or rubber paddings help secure the glasses in place.
• Flexible frames: Frames that bend (especially the temples) without breaking are essential, especially with young children.

Step 4: Getting Kids to Wear Glasses

Depending on how your kid is taking to this change – this may be the one with the highest difficulty setting. It can be a challenge, especially if they’re not used to wearing them. 

Tips on how to get kids to wear glasses:

• Involve them in the process: Let your child choose the frame to get them feel more invested, whether you’re browsing online or in a store.
• Make it fun: More than just showing the variety of colors and styles, online retailers like ourselves offer a Live Try-On that kids love to mess around with and see themselves in a lot of different pairs.
• Lead by example: If you do wear glasses, that helps, telling them that glasses are cool. You can also get a non-prescription frame for yourself if you want to go the extra mile.

While shopping online offers convenience, for children’s glasses, especially for the initial pair or if your child is very active, an in-person fitting can ensure optimal comfort and durability. Our skilled opticians at our Roosevelt Field Mall, Florida Mall, and Natick Mall stores specialize in fitting children with kids’ eyewear styles and can guide you through the best options for safety and style.

Give Your Child the Gift of Clear Vision and Confidence

Whether your child is a toddler just starting to wear glasses, a school-aged child, or a teen looking for trendy frames, the right pair of children’s eyeglasses can make all the difference.

Explore our kids’ eyewear selection online at GlassesUSA.com, packed to the brim with durable and stylish eyeglasses and sunglasses for children of all ages, including by brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley or our best-selling Olos private label, or bring your child to one of our stores in New York, Florida, or Massachusetts for a personalized and fun fitting experience!