Review and Giveaway – Baby/Kidz Banz
May 12, 2008 by Deb
Filed under Giveaways, Recent Reviews, kid product
How many times have you bought your kids a pair of sunglasses that were broken within weeks (or days)? I know that it seems like we go through at least one or two pairs – per child – every summer. If they’re not getting stepped on, sat on, jumped on or thrown, then they get lost or left behind.
Until now, that is.
I was sent a pair of sunglasses from Baby Banz to review. Actually, I received a pair of the ‘older kid’ version, called Kidz Banz. But it’s something that I wish I’d had back when Becca and the other girls were babies as well.
What they are:
Basically what these consist of is a pair of sunglasses, but instead of having plastic pieces to fit over your ears, they come with a pre-attached neoprene strap – with an adjustable Velcro side closing so that it can grow with your child. According to the manufacturer, the lenses not only provide 100% UVA/UVB protection, they can be replaced with prescription lenses as well (which is something I’ll be talking to our ophthalmologist about at Abby’s next appointment because not having sunglasses that will fit over her regular glasses has been a source of difficulty). The frame is made of shatter-resistant polycarbonate. Baby Banz are designed for infants up to 2 years of age and Kidz Banz are designed for kids from age 2 to age 5. The company offers several other sun protection products as well, including hats and swimwear. Their website is http://www.babybanz.com.
Why is it important for children to wear sunglasses, and why Baby or Kidz Banz?
This is something I hadn’t known before. According to the Baby Banz website, a child has no filters in the eye to block out UV light until approximately 8-9 yrs old. You can actually do more harm to the eye if you put an inferior lens in front of the eye! Behind tinted lenses, the iris opens to allow more light into the eye; if the lens doesn’t protect properly, more UV light gets into the eye, potentially damaging the child’s eye.
Here’s my take on them:
I didn’t realize exactly how convenient these sunglasses are until after we’d tried them with Becca a few times. I liked the idea to begin with – after all, we’d already purchased a similar neoprene strap for Abby, to keep her regular glasses perched tightly on her nose during soccer practices and games. But there are benefits to Baby and Kidz Banz that I didn’t even think about until we’d actually tried them.
Like the fact that when your child inevitably grows tired of wearing them and pushes the glasses down off of her (or his) face, where ‘regular’ sunglasses would then get dropped or thrown to the ground, these stay put around the neck (obviously you want to watch your child carefully to make sure they don’t get snagged or caught on anything) so they’re easy to find and put back on when needed again. When you return inside, you can simply stuff them in a diaper bag pocket
– or even loop the strap around the handle of a purse or diaper bag and they’re conveniently ready (and unbroken) when you head back outside into the sun. And these can be dropped, stepped on and sat on with no ill effects that we’ve found. I haven’t come across any negatives, except perhaps that Becca seems to be right in between sizes – the Kidz Banz fit ok with the strap set at the tightest possible setting, but if her head were any smaller then I’d probably want to go with the Baby Banz instead for her. And until she gets some more hair in the back, the neoprene strap is rather obvious – not necessarily a bad thing, just something to consider.
Here’s Becca’s take on them:
She thinks her new sunglasses are pretty cool. They are fun to practice putting on and taking off, and they don’t slide down her nose since the adjustable strap makes sure that they aren’t too big. It’s also fun to have big sisters help make sure you get them on right. 
Although they actually still even work if you put them on upside down anyway.
The bottom line:
These are an affordable option at $15 a pair, especially since they’re the only pair of sunglasses that you should need to buy for quite a while. They are sturdy and provide the best possible protection for your child’s eyes. They come in a variety of fun colors and the adjustable strap won’t rub against kids’ ears the way that plastic frames might.
Would you like a pair for your own child?
Baby Banz is giving away a pair of Baby or Kidz Banz to one lucky reader!
Here are the rules:
- Enter by leaving a comment on this post and tell me whether you’d choose a pair of Baby Banz or Kidz Banz and in which color. Please don’t just say ‘choose me’, or your entry will be discarded.
- The contest will run until Friday, May 16th at midnight and the winner will be selected through random drawing and contacted both by e-mail and listed on this post.
- Please leave a valid e-mail address or other way to contact you! If the winner hasn’t responded within 3 days of being contacted, an alternate winner will be chosen by random drawing.
Good luck!
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
Congratulations to Julie (no blog), who left comment #33, saying “nordic cammo is too cool…love this for my new nephew!”. Look for an e-mail from me with the details.
This post courtesy of: Baby Banz. No payment or compensation, other than product samples as described above, was received for this post.
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Look at me Im first..
I would probably go with the kid size and Pacific Blue or Hunter. Curious if the 3 year old would actually wear them.
I would love a pair of the Flamingo Pink Kidz Banz for my daughter. We spend a lot of time at the lake during the summer and these would be great. She got a pair of regular sunglasses for her birthday but it is a waste because they won’t stay on. Thanks!
I love these…I wish we had know about these years before. I would definitely choose a Flamingo Pink Baby Banz one for our newest addition! Thanks for hosting this!
I think I’d go with Kid Banz because my daughter has a big head lol. I like the hot pink!
I bought a very similar type when Zachary was first born and he’d tear them off. Not sure if he’d “allow” me to put them on now that he’s 15 months and even MORE obnoxious LOL
I would love a pair of the Baby Banz in Flamingo Pink for my youngest who is turning one next month! We are outside a lot and these would be great for her!
[...] don’t forget about the giveaway I’m holding at my other site – you could win a pair of Baby or Kidz Banz for your little one! Sphere: Related [...]
I’d choose Kid Banz in black. My boys would love them!
My five month old baby girl would feel like the cutest on the block (although she already is) if she could sport the flamingo pink baby banz this summer with her cute little UV-protecting bathing suit. Thanks for introducing the product!
How cute & great for litlr ones eyes too! We love the flamingo pink!!
mcginnisfamily5(at)gmail(dot)com
If I won….I’d choose the kidzbanz in the pink camo color. If I don’t win….I’ll be purchasing a combo with the sun hat in purple or blue.
We have Baby Banz in black and red but I’d love to have a pair of black Retro Banz for Roo this summer…
HI!!! WHAT A FUN SITE!!!
I would pick the kids and the camo would be great for Andrew! Thanks for this fun give away!
I would love to get a pair of Baby Banz in Hunter for my little guy who will be turning one this summer. Thanks for the giveaway!
We would love the kidz banz in good old black! These are so great, hopefully they are a little more hardy than our current pair(s)!!
I would love the KIdz Banz in Midnight Black for my toddler!
CUTE! I would choose Kids Banz in Rockin’ Red!
Flamingo Pink in the kidz banz
I would love the Baby Banz in Carribbean Blue. Thanks!
Cool! I’d have to pick Kidz Banz in Pink Diva Cammo.
My daughter would love the Pink Diva Camo Kidz Banz!
I would choose the kidzbanz for my son in midnight black. I want his eyes to be protected.
Pink Diva Camo Kidz Banz – too cool!
I’d pick the flamingo pink baby banz for my wee little one. She ALWAYS rips off her hat, her sunglasses, anything we use to try and keep her face and eyes protected from the sun. These would be great!
I’d choose a pair of Baby Banz in Arctic White. Thanks for the contest!
Ooh, Kidz Bandz in white.
Great giveaway! Count me in. bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would choose a pair of Kidz Banz in the nordic camo for my little guy!
we love the caribbean blue in kids banz!!
thanks!
moore.g at insideconnect.net
I would also choose the bright pink kids banz
I would choose Kidz Banz in lime green
I’d love a pair of the baby banz in the green camo!
What a fantastic giveaway. Yes, sunglasses are very important. My dad has macular degeneration and part of it is from the sun! I would choose the Kidz Banz in Pacific Blue! Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks,Cindi
I would choose the Kidz Banz in pink camo.
nordic cammo is too cool…love this for my new nephew!
3beez at bellsouth dot net
I would love to protect my 10 month olds eyes this summer since we live on the beach. Red or Blue or any boy color would be fine if we win. Thanks
kstownsend@gmail.com our website is http://www.kstownsend.blogspot.com
Oh how CUTE! What a fantastic idea!
I would love a pair of the baby banz for my little one, and in midnight black. Boring? Maybe…but SO “hip!”
I’d love the Baby Banz in sunset orange.
terry dot bracey at gmail dot com
I would love to get the pink diva camo kids Banz, they look adorable and we definitely need these for the summer!
Thanks for the great giveaway!
We would love the “little hunter” banz in the kids size. I hope my 2 year old will keep them on, I can’t get him to keep any sunglasses on, maybe if he has something that won’t hinder him from causing mass destruction he’ll keep them on. If not, his little brother will grow into them.
Hi!
I would love to try the Nordic Camo in the Kidz Banz size. I have a VERY hard time keeping sunglasses on my two year old and was hoping to find something that actually straps on! Love it! Thanks!
ETA: I forgot to include my email chrisandamyward@comcast.net
I would love the Baby Banz in Midnight Black
My little ones love sunglasses, but always break them
. The flamingo pink kidz banz look great!
I’d choose the midnight black Baby Banz. These are a great idea since the little guy always tries to take off his sunglasses.
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baby banz in Pacific Blue for my billy ! He would love these.he is graduating kindergarten top of the class,this would be a nice gift….enter me please
i invite all of you to my contest for a diaper cake as well..
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I’d love to win the Kidz Banz in pacific blue for my son. Thanks.
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