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Look for an umbrella made for kids, labelled for their age, usually 3 and up. Then check four things: the size, the rib tips, how it opens, and whether your child can see where they're going. Vancouver averages about 186 mm of rain in November, so a child who walks to school or daycare will use it a lot. Here's what to check, a few umbrella rules worth teaching, and the ones we carry.
Umbrella or hood?
The kids' umbrellas we carry are all labelled for ages 3 and up. For a toddler, a waterproof jacket with a hood, or a rain suit, keeps their hands free for holding yours. Once your child can carry an umbrella above their head and walk at the same time, it's a fun addition, but it doesn't replace a rain jacket. Our kids' rain gear guide covers jackets, pants and boots.
What to check
Size
A kids' umbrella is smaller and lighter than an adult one, so your child can hold it up without it tipping. For reference, the Tutete umbrella is 67 cm long closed and opens to 74 cm across. If you're buying in store, have your child hold it open: they should be able to keep it over their head with one hand, without the handle reaching their face.
Rib tips
When kids walk together, the ends of the ribs can end up near other children's faces. Look for tips that are covered or rounded rather than bare metal. The Tutete has protected rib tips, and Floss & Rock's 3D umbrellas have rounded tips.
Opening
Small fingers can get caught when an umbrella slides open. Tutete uses a manual opening with anti-pinch protection. Whatever you buy, practise opening and closing it at home first, so your child does it the same way every time.
Handle
A J-shaped or curved handle is easier for a small hand to grip, and it hooks over an arm or a stroller when they're done.
Seeing where they're going
An umbrella held low can block a child's view. A clear canopy, or a clear panel, lets them see ahead even then. With a printed canopy, teach them to hold it high enough to see under the edge. A bright umbrella can also help them stand out on grey days.
Little extras
- A name label helps at daycare or school. The Tutete's clip closure has one.
- Colour change. Floss & Rock umbrellas reveal their pattern when they get wet, which makes rainy days more fun for some kids.
Umbrella rules worth teaching
- Hold it up above your head, not out to the side.
- Walk, don't run, with it open.
- Close it before you go into a crowd, a bus or a car, and when it's very windy.
- Keep the closed umbrella pointed at the ground.
- Never poke or play sword fights with it.
Looking after it
After a walk, shake off the water and open it to dry before you put it away. Wipe the canopy clean with a damp cloth. Drying it open also helps the colour-change pattern on Floss & Rock umbrellas, according to our product page.
The kids' umbrellas we carry
- Tutete Kids Umbrella, $29.95, ages 3+. Fiberglass frame, anti-pinch manual opening, protected rib tips, a J-shaped handle and a name label. Designs include The Three Little Pigs, Pandas in Space and Planes.
- Floss & Rock Colour Change Umbrella, Dinosaur, $29.99, ages 3+. The dinosaurs appear when it rains. Also in Pretty Space, Rainbow Fairy and Adventure.
- Floss & Rock 3D Umbrella, Enchanted, $32.99, ages 3+. Toddler size, with 3D fairy wings and rounded tips.
Ottawa gets less rain in November, about 68 mm on average, and more snow later in the season, but an umbrella is still handy for fall and spring. For the rest of the outfit, see our kids' winter jacket guide for Vancouver and Ottawa, our rain boot comparison and our guide to fleece-lined or unlined rain gear.
Prices are in CAD and were current when we wrote this. Browse all kids' umbrellas online, or call our Richmond, Burnaby or Ottawa store ahead of your visit to ask which designs are on the shelf.
