Custom Kids Hoodies in Youth & Toddler Sizes

Youth and Toddler Size Guide

Kids' hoodies come in two size families. Labels and measurements vary by brand, so always check the size chart on the product page, but this is the usual pattern:

Age is only a starting point. The most reliable way to choose is to lay a hoodie that fits your child flat, measure the chest from armpit to armpit and the length from the top of the shoulder to the hem, then compare those numbers with the product chart. Tall, slim kids often need the bigger size for sleeve length; a stocky younger child may need it for the chest.

Fun Designs and Personalized Names Kids Love

Kids get excited about hoodies that are clearly theirs. Some favorites: - A name across the back or down one sleeve, in a playful font or block letters. - Their own artwork. Scan or photograph a child's drawing and we'll print it exactly as drawn, crayon texture and all. - A birthday number with the party theme, for the birthday kid and their siblings. - A future graduation year, such as a kindergartener's "Class of 2039." - A pet portrait of the family dog or cat. - A jersey-style name and number for young athletes.

For printed designs and photos, DTF has no setup fee, which makes one-off personalized gifts easy. Embroidered names look sharp on a left chest at about 3 inches wide, and 3D puff embroidery, which raises bold letters over foam, is a fun pick for a matching name cap (we offer puff on hats only). Need more inspiration? Browse our kid-friendly hoodie ideas.

Matching Adult and Kids Hoodie Sets

Mini-me hoodies are a family favorite for holiday photos, reunions, birthdays and a day at the theme parks. Ordering a custom hoodie for adults and kids in one design takes two bits of planning.

First, choose a style made in both adult and youth cuts. Hoodies from the same family are dyed to match more closely than two unrelated blanks in "the same" color.

Second, scale the design for each size. A chest design about 10 to 12 inches wide suits an adult, while a youth hoodie looks better at about 7 to 9 inches and a toddler hoodie at about 5 to 6. Each size can be scaled at no extra setup cost: DTF has no setup fee, and screen-print or embroidery setup is charged once per design, not per size. You'll see every version before production.

Popular set ideas include "Big" and "Little" designs, a family name with each person's role ("Dad," "Mom," "Kid 1"), and personalized names on the back. See our family matching hoodies for more ways to coordinate a whole family.

Branded Youth Hoodies for Schools, Camps and Teams

Schools, camps, daycares, scout troops and youth leagues all order kids' hoodies in volume, and most mix youth and adult sizes for staff, coaches and parents. Custom youth hoodies for a group follow a simple plan: - Collect sizes on one sheet, marked youth or adult, with any personalized names. - Keep the logo simple. One or two ink colors screen print well across a whole group of 100+, with setup quoted with the order. - Plan two print sizes if the group runs from youth XS to adult XL, so the logo doesn't swallow the smallest hoodies. - Share your in-hand date for the first day of camp or spirit week. Rush orders are available if the date is tight, and the rush fee is quoted with your order.

A branded camp or school hoodie gets worn long after the event, which makes it a favorite for PTA fundraisers and spirit wear sales. For sports programs and larger school orders, see our school and team hoodies.

Kid-Proof Decoration That Survives the Wash

Kids' hoodies get dragged through playgrounds, lunch tables and car seats, so the decoration has to hold up. - Screen printing lays down thick, durable ink that handles frequent washing well. - DTF prints sit on the surface as a flexible film, staying bright on cotton or polyester blends. - DTG sinks into cotton-rich fabric for the softest feel, ideal for a full-color drawing or photo (we print those with DTF instead). - Embroidery is the toughest of all, but it leaves a stitched backing on the inside. For a child with sensitive skin, keep embroidery small or choose a print.

To keep any design looking new, turn the hoodie inside out, wash cold on a gentle cycle and tumble dry low or hang dry. Treat stains around the design, not by scrubbing hard on it, and skip bleach.

Why Kids' Hoodies Skip the Drawstrings

Hood and neck drawstrings can catch on playground slides, bus doors and fences, and they've caused strangulation injuries and deaths in children. Under federal rules, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission treats hood and neck drawstrings on children's upper outerwear in sizes 2T to 12 as a substantial product hazard (16 CFR 1120). Waist and bottom drawstrings in sizes 2T to 16 must extend no more than 3 inches outside the channel, have no toggles or knots at the ends, and be bar-tacked if they're one continuous string.

That's why hoodies made for toddlers and younger kids come without hood cords. Youth L and XL (sizes 14 and up) fall outside the hood-drawstring rule, so some styles in those sizes include a cord. If a younger child is wearing one of those larger sizes, pull the cord out before they wear it.

Soft, Safe Fabrics for Little Ones

Comfort decides whether a hoodie gets worn or left in a cubby. - Midweight 50/50 cotton-poly fleece is the everyday choice. It's soft, warm enough for a Florida winter morning and shrinks less than all-cotton. - Cotton-rich fleece feels softer against the skin and gives DTG prints their best color, but it can shrink a little more in a hot dryer. - Lightweight French terry or performance fleece suits Central Florida, where a cool morning often turns into a warm afternoon. - Zip-ups spare toddlers the over-the-head struggle and make quick changes easier for parents.

On warmer days, the same design works on kids custom tees, and kids crewneck sweatshirts are a hood-free option for the youngest children.

Frequently Asked Questions

What sizes do kids hoodies come in?

Most styles come in toddler sizes (2T to 5/6) and youth sizes (XS to XL), covering roughly ages 2 to 16, with youth XL fitting many young teens. Exact ranges and measurements vary by brand, so check the size chart on each product page. Measuring a hoodie that already fits your child is the most reliable way to choose.

Can I match an adult hoodie and a kids hoodie?

Yes. Choose a style made in both adult and youth sizes so the fabric color matches, then use the same design across every size. We scale the artwork so it fits a toddler chest as well as an adult one, and you'll see each version before production. Mixed adult and kids sizes in one order are no problem.

Are drawstrings safe on children's hoodies?

Hood and neck drawstrings are not considered safe for young children. The CPSC treats them as a substantial product hazard on children's upper outerwear in sizes 2T to 12, so hoodies in those sizes are made without them. If an older youth size includes a cord and a younger child will wear it, remove the cord first.

Can I order one kids hoodie with a name on it?

Yes. There's no minimum, so a single personalized hoodie is welcome. Printed names with DTF have no setup fee. Embroidered names are $10 each, with no $35 design fee, which helps when your child outgrows the hoodie and needs the next size.

Should I size up so it lasts longer?

One size up is a sensible choice for a fast-growing child, especially in cotton-rich fleece that may shrink slightly. Going two sizes up usually means sleeves past the fingertips and a hem that sits too low. For school or team photos where everyone should look uniform, order true to size.

Can you add a name to a hoodie we bought somewhere else?

No. We decorate the blanks we supply, so every order starts with one of our hoodies. That way we always know the fabric and can match the decoration method to it. Choose a style from the collection above, add the name, and you'll preview it live in our 3D Custom Designer before anything is produced.