Custom Kids Hats

Toddler, Youth and Kids Sizing Guide

A kids' hat isn't an adult hat cinched down. The crown is smaller and shallower, the bill is shorter, and the strap adjusts across a smaller range, so the hat sits on the head instead of sliding over the eyes.

Ages are only a rough guide, since heads grow at different rates, and each product lists its own size range.

How to measure: wrap a soft tape around the head across the middle of the forehead and just above the ears. With a wiggly toddler, use a piece of string and lay it against a ruler afterward. Between sizes, go up and choose an adjustable back so the hat lasts another season.

Youth or adult? Many 11- and 12-year-olds, and most teens, measure 22 inches or more, which fits an adult adjustable cap on a smaller setting. Measure first and you'll know. Not sure which shape suits your kid? Our guide to picking the right hat style compares them side by side.

Personalized Names and Initials for Little Ones

A name is the simplest way to make a hat feel like theirs. It also helps at daycare and camp, where six identical red caps tend to end up in one cubby.

Popular layouts for kids:

• A first name across the front in rounded block letters
• Initials or a small monogram on the left side
• A name arched above the back opening, with a mascot or icon on the front
• A printed jersey number on the side for little athletes
• Name plus age for a birthday hat they'll wear long after the party

Front designs on youth caps run smaller than on adult hats, usually about 2 to 3.5 inches wide and up to about 2 inches tall. Short names of up to about eight letters fit comfortably on one line, and lettering should be at least a quarter inch tall to stay readable in thread. For more lettering styles and placements, browse our kids' name hats.

Ordering for siblings or cousins? Different names can go in one order, and each version gets its own mockup so you can check spelling before anything is stitched.

School, Camp and Daycare Hats for Branded Group Orders

Hats are one of the most useful things a group of kids can wear. A bright cap makes a class easy to spot at a crowded field-trip stop, and it keeps the Central Florida sun off faces during outdoor recess and summer camp.

A few things that work well for schools, camps, daycares, scout troops and church programs:

• Pick a bright color. Royal blue, red, safety green and orange are easier to count in a crowd than navy or black.
• Use more than one spot. Put the school or camp logo on the front, the year or session on the side, and the group name across the back.
• Match the method to the season. Embroidery holds up to a full school year of wear. For a one-week camp with a full-color theme graphic, DTF printing has no setup fee.

Send the school or program's branded logo file (with their OK to use it), and we'll scale it for youth crowns.

Youth Team Caps and Knit Beanies

Little League, travel ball, rec soccer and flag football teams all need hats that fit smaller heads and survive a season of dugouts and car floors. Structured youth caps keep a team logo crisp on the front, and bold team letters can be stitched in raised 3D puff embroidery, with room for each player's name on the side. See our youth baseball team caps for full roster orders and coaches' hats.

When it's cold, beanies take over. A cuffed knit fits a logo or name about 2 inches tall on the cuff, and a pom-pom adds some fun for younger kids. Browse our warm knit beanies for winter trips, holiday gifts and the few chilly Florida mornings each year.

Kid-Friendly Fabrics and Decoration Methods

Fabrics that work for kids:

• Cotton twill: soft and breathable, with a broken-in feel. The best choice for toddlers.
• Mesh-back truckers: air moves through the back panels, which helps on hot afternoons.
• Performance polyester: wicks sweat, dries fast and holds color, so it suits sports teams.
• Acrylic knit: soft, stretchy and easy to wash, used for most beanies.

Unstructured crowns are softer and lighter for little ones. On any hat, a child's forehead touches the sweatband, not the back of the stitching, but keeping designs small on soft hats keeps them comfortable.

Choosing a decoration:

• Embroidery is the most durable option for playground wear. Embroidered names are $10 per name, and each new logo or artwork design has a one-time $35 digitizing fee. Once it's paid, you can download the file from your account, and reordering the same design next year, or stitching it on a parent's adult cap, skips the fee.
• DTF printing handles full-color characters, gradients and photos with no setup fee. It can even reproduce your child's own drawing.
• Embroidered or PVC patches give a badge look. PVC wipes clean with a damp cloth, which parents appreciate.

Care: kids' hats meet sunscreen, sweat and juice. Spot-clean with cool water, a little mild detergent and a soft brush, then air-dry on a rolled towel. Skip the dryer and dishwasher, since heat can warp the bill. Hand-wash beanies in cold water and lay them flat to dry.

Planning an Order for a Class, Camp or Party

There's no minimum, so one birthday hat is as easy as a set for every camper. For a group:

1. Collect names and sizes. A shared spreadsheet with each child's name, age and head measurement saves a lot of back-and-forth.
2. Plan the size spread. Adjustable backs cover a range, so most groups only need two or three sizes. Add a couple of spares for late sign-ups.
3. Set the design. One shared logo with individual names on the side or back is the classic group layout.
4. Send artwork. SVG or PDF files are best, and a high-resolution PNG or JPG is accepted. AI and EPS files can be sent with a bulk quote.
5. Approve your mockup. Preview your design live in our 3D Custom Designer before anything is produced, or request a bulk quote for 100+ pieces for a free mockup.
6. Share your date. Tell us your in-hand date when you request a quote. If the first day of camp is close, rush production is available, with the rush fee quoted with your order.
7. Ship or pick up. Orders ship anywhere in the US, or Orlando-metro schools and families can pick up at our Orlando-area warehouse.

Outfitting a camp or a party? Pair the hats with matching kids tees in the same colors and artwork. Screen printing for larger shirt runs of 100+ pieces goes through our team, with setup quoted with your order. DTF printing has no setup fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size hat fits a toddler?

Most toddlers, roughly ages 1 to 3, measure about 18 to 19.5 inches (46 to 50 cm) around the head. Measure across the middle of the forehead and just above the ears, then pick a toddler-size or adjustable hat in that range. Between sizes, go up with an adjustable back so it lasts longer.

Can you put my child's name on a hat?

Yes. We can embroider or print a name or initials, or print a number, on the front, side or back. Embroidery is the most durable for everyday wear, and printing suits colorful lettering or artwork. You'll preview your design live in our 3D Custom Designer before anything is produced, so you can double-check the spelling.

Do you make youth baseball team hats?

Yes. Structured youth caps work well for Little League, travel ball and rec teams, with the team logo on the front and each player's name on the side. Send a list of names and sizes, and each version is proofed before stitching, so every player gets the right hat.

Is there a minimum for custom kids hats?

No. You can order a single personalized hat or a set for a whole class. Embroidered logos have a one-time $35 digitizing fee per design and embroidered names are $10 per name, while DTF printing has no setup fee. Larger orders lower the cost per hat because the setup is shared across more pieces.

Can my child's drawing go on a hat?

Yes, and it makes a great gift. Scan or photograph the drawing in good light and send it as a high-resolution file. DTF printing reproduces the colors and crayon texture as drawn, with no setup fee. Simple drawings with bold outlines can also be stitched as embroidery.