Anyone who's tried to hand a full-size umbrella to a five-year-old knows exactly how that ends. Trailing spokes, a canopy they can't see over, and the little one more interested in swinging it like a sword than actually staying dry. Kids need their own umbrella, properly sized for them, and it's one of those small things that makes the school run genuinely easier rather than a daily battle with a brolly built for someone twice their height.
We get asked about sizing a lot, so here's what actually matters when you're choosing between all the kids umbrellas on offer.
Think Canopy, Not Just Handle Length
It's tempting to judge an umbrella by looking at how tall it stands, but the canopy span (how wide it opens) matters just as much, if not more. Too small and they're getting a wet shoulder on the walk to school. Too big and they're struggling to hold it steady in a bit of wind, or worse, not able to see where they're going at all.
Our kids' umbrellas generally measure somewhere around 60 to 70cm from handle to tip, which is the sweet spot for little hands and shorter frames. It's enough coverage to keep a child properly dry without the umbrella becoming something they're wrestling with rather than using.
Match the Umbrella to the Age, Not Just the Child's Height
A lot of our children's umbrellas are designed with a specific age range in mind, often somewhere around three to six years old, and that's worth paying attention to beyond just picking whatever looks the right size on screen. Younger children need a lighter frame they can actually manage to open and carry themselves, while an older child heading into juniors might be ready for something a little sturdier and closer to a full-size umbrella.
If your child's already outgrowing the youngest end of our kids umbrella range, don't feel you have to jump straight to an adult umbrella either. We also stock plain Jollybrolly umbrellas in a range of colours, a good next step up for older children who want something a bit more grown up without going all the way to a full adult size.
Safety Features Matter More Than the Print
We know the fun animal design or favourite character is usually what seals the deal with the child themselves, but there are a couple of practical things worth checking before you buy. A manual glide open-close mechanism is worth looking for, it means little fingers aren't anywhere near a spring-loaded catch when the umbrella opens or closes. Rounded, protected tips on the ribs are another good sign, keeping things safe if the umbrella gets waved about a bit enthusiastically, which, let's be honest, it will.
Frame matters too. Our kids' umbrellas are generally built on a light aluminium shaft, easy enough for a child to hold up themselves, with a proper set of ribs (often around 10) giving the canopy some real structure rather than flopping about in a breeze.
Boys Umbrella, Girls Umbrella, or Simply Their Favourite?
We stock a proper range of both boys umbrellas and girls umbrellas, from knights and pirates to princesses, ponies and butterflies, alongside plenty of animal prints that don't sit neatly in either camp at all. Sharks, dinosaurs, ducks and space designs tend to get grabbed by boys and girls alike, so honestly, the best approach is usually to let your child pick whichever design has them genuinely excited to use it. An umbrella a child actually wants to carry gets used properly. One they've been handed because it was "for boys" or "for girls" tends to get left by the door.
Consider a Clear Canopy for Younger Children
For the very youngest umbrella users, it's worth thinking about visibility as well as size. A clear dome umbrella lets a small child see exactly where they're walking rather than peering out from under a solid canopy, which makes a genuine difference on a crowded school run or a busy pavement. Our clear dome range comes with a coloured border in fun themed prints, so you're not sacrificing any of the character and excitement, just adding a bit of extra practicality for smaller children still getting the hang of holding an umbrella steady.
A Quick Sizing Checklist
Before you order, it's worth running through a few basics: does the canopy span suit their height and age, does it have a finger-safe opening mechanism, are the rib tips protected, and is the frame light enough for them to manage on their own. Get those right and the design becomes the fun part, not the deciding factor.
A well-sized kids umbrella turns a wet school run into something your child actually enjoys, rather than a soggy trudge with an umbrella that's fighting them every step of the way. Get the size and safety features right first, then let them loose on the fun part, choosing which shark, dinosaur or princess gets to keep them dry
