Sunny Cubs Sun Hoodies: UPF 50 Protection for Kids Who Never Stop Exploring

The hardest part of getting outside with kids isn't usually the hike itself, it's everything that happens before you even leave the house.

Packing snacks. Filling water bottles. Remembering extra layers. Finding everyone's shoes. Applying sunscreen to wiggly kids who would rather be climbing the nearest rock than standing still.

As an adventure family, I've learned that the gear we use most isn't necessarily the most technical or expensive. It's the gear that quietly makes life outside easier.

That's exactly what I found with Sunny Cubs.

I first met Sunny Cubs founder Jessica Schisler during the Kids Who Explore Getaway at Purcell Mountain Lodge. Surrounded by alpine views and conversations about motherhood, hiking, and raising adventurous kids, it became clear that we shared the same goal: helping families spend more time outdoors with fewer barriers.

Later, Jessica joined me on the Kids Who Explore Podcast (Episode 130), where we talked about sun safety, outdoor parenting, and the inspiration behind Sunny Cubs. Like so many outdoor moms, she saw a problem and decided to create a solution.

We began by testing the baby sunsuit and after trail-testing both the Toddler Sun Hoodie and the Kids Sun Hoodie throughout the Canadian Rockies, I completely understand why these have become favourites for outdoor families.

Clothing That Grows With Your Child's Adventures

One of the things I appreciate most about Sunny Cubs is that the collection grows alongside your family.

The Toddler Sun Hoodie is made for those little explorers who spend every outing collecting sticks, climbing logs, splashing through creeks, and investigating every flower along the trail.

The Kids Sun Hoodie takes over as those adventures become bigger. Whether your child is hiking, biking, heading to camp, spending the day at the lake, or simply playing outside after school, it's designed to keep up with active childhood.

The popular Sunny Cubs Baby Sun Suit was created to help families spend more time outside while keeping little adventurers protected from the sun.

Instead of buying outdoor clothing that only works for one stage, Sunny Cubs has created pieces that support families through years of outdoor adventures.

Built-In Sun Protection Parents Can Count On

If there's one thing I've learned from years of hiking with young kids, it's that sunscreen has its limits.

You apply it before leaving the trailhead.

An hour later they're sweating.

Then they're splashing in a creek.

Before long, you're wondering whether you missed a shoulder or forgot the back of their neck.

Sunny Cubs takes so much of that stress away.

Both hoodies are made with UPF 50 fabric that blocks 98% of harmful UV rays, with the protection woven directly into the fibers rather than applied as a coating. That means the sun protection never washes out or wears off, even after countless adventures and trips through the washing machine.

Of course, sunscreen is still important for exposed skin, but having dependable coverage on their arms, shoulders, neck, and back gives me one less thing to worry about during long days outside.

Comfort Kids Actually Want to Wear

Parents know that even the best outdoor gear won't get used if kids don't like wearing it.

Thankfully, that's not an issue here.

Both hoodies are made from an incredibly soft blend of 66% TENCEL™ Lyocell, 28% Organic Cotton, and 6% Spandex, creating a lightweight fabric that feels smooth against the skin while remaining breathable and moisture-wicking.

It stretches easily as kids climb over rocks, scramble up hillsides, and race down trails, while naturally helping regulate body temperature throughout the day.

The Toddler Sun Hoodie even includes adorable bear ears on the hood—a detail that's almost guaranteed to make little ones excited to pull it on before heading outside.

Sometimes the smallest design details make the biggest difference.

Designed by a Mom Who Gets It

Some outdoor gear looks great online but falls short once kids actually put it to the test.

Sunny Cubs feels different.

Every feature seems to have been designed by someone who understands what real family adventures look like.

The protective hood offers extra coverage for the scalp, neck, and ears. Raglan sleeves allow kids to move freely while climbing and playing without feeling restrictive. The Kids Sun Hoodie features a relaxed fit and drop-tail hem that stays in place during active play, whether that's monkey bars at school, scrambling over boulders, or building forts in the forest.

And because muddy knees, sticky snacks, and campfire smoke are all part of childhood, both hoodies are machine washable and built to handle adventure after adventure.

Gentle on Kids. Better for the Planet.

At Kids Who Explore, we believe that introducing children to nature also means teaching them to care for it.

That's one reason Sunny Cubs' commitment to sustainability stood out to me.

The hoodies are made using TENCEL™ Lyocell, a fiber sourced from responsibly managed forests and produced using a closed-loop manufacturing process that recovers and reuses 99% of solvents.

Compared to many conventional fabrics, TENCEL™ requires significantly less water to produce while creating an incredibly soft material that's gentle against children's skin.

Both hoodies are also OEKO-TEX® certified, meaning they've been tested to ensure they're free from harmful substances.

When you combine thoughtful materials with durable construction, you're investing in gear that's made to last through years of adventure and perhaps even be handed down to younger siblings.

More Than Sun Protection

What I love most about Sunny Cubs isn't simply the UPF rating or the incredibly soft fabric.

It's what those things make possible.

They make it easier to say yes to one more hike.

One more camping trip.

One more afternoon exploring the shoreline.

One more family adventure.

Sometimes the right piece of gear isn't exciting because of the features it has. It's exciting because it quietly removes one more barrier to getting outside.

That's exactly what Sunny Cubs has created.

As parents, we don't remember every sunscreen application or every item we packed into the backpack.

We remember our kids proudly reaching the summit, laughing while jumping across streams, spotting wildlife for the first time, and asking if we can do it all again next weekend.

If a thoughtfully designed hoodie helps make those moments happen a little more often, I'd call that a pretty great investment.

A Special Gift for the Kids Who Explore Community

Jessica has generously offered a special discount for our Kids Who Explore families.

Use code KIDSWHOEXPLORE at checkout to save 10% on your Sunny Cubs order.

Whether you're introducing a toddler to their very first trail or cheering on a big kid who's confidently leading the way, the Sunny Cubs Toddler Sun Hoodie and Kids Sun Hoodie are designed to keep them comfortable, protected, and ready for every adventure that childhood has to offer.