Protection, Style and Quality: Real Kids Shades {Review & Giveaway}

This protecting-our-children aspect of parenting, I'm telling you. It just never ends.

We ensure that our kids have mittens to keep their hands warm from the cold, lather them up in sunscreen to protect their skin, remind them to always wear a helmet when they ride a bicycle, provide them with soft tissues to pamper their noses during cold season...

However, one body part that I realized I was neglecting became quite clear recently when my family and I went to our city's annual Winter Festival.

Coats, snowpants, mittens and hats? Check, check, check and check for all of us.

Sunglasses to not only prevent annoying squinting (which was twice as bad due to the reflection from all of the snow) but to protect our eyes from the damaging effects of UV radiation? Um, check... for me.

For my kids? Sorry Girls, apparently Mom left you to fend for yourselves on that one so she'd have to listen to complaints of It's sooo bright out here! all afternoon.

While I've thought about ensuring that my children have sunglasses in the past, I've never realized the utmost importance that this step can make in preventing the permanent and irreparable damage to kids' eyes as to when I was introduced to Real Kids Shades.

On a mission to protect as many children's eyes as possible from the damaging effects of UV radiation, Real Kids Shades was launched to provide real sunglasses designed specifically for babies and children.

As opposed to the toy sunglasses that end up possibly harming your child's eyes more than helping (by shading the eyes but not providing 100% UVA and UVB protection), Real Kids Shades are high quality, intensively-tested, award-winning, kid-approved sunglasses specifically constructed to fit kids' faces and their lifestyles.

As soon as I began browsing around at RealKidsShades.com and found that their sunglasses are shatterproof, impact-resistant, adaptable to sports, lightweight, flexible, bendable, comfortable, durable and SO much more, I knew that they would be just the thing to keep my girls' eyes safe (and stylish).

Arriving in their own storage bag (with clip) along with a removable neoprene strap, each pair of the Real Kids Shades had me impressed as I examined them closer.

From the rubberized frames (my kids don't seem to understand how to slide sunglasses on, as opposed to bending them wide and propping them onto their heads) to the sleek and chic shapes to the professional grade polycarbonate 100% UVA/UVB protective lenses, they really have it all.

As these sunglasses arrived just as Big Sister E and Little Sister B were gearing up to go out and play in the snow, they couldn't have been more thrilled to add their new gear to their outfits.

Little Sister B's Flex Duo Shades (for ages 3 - 7) in Purple/Pink have been just the right alternative to banded sunglasses that we have tried (and she has disliked) in the past.

Instead, these pink and purple super flexible frames meet her fashion requirements while also being extremely durable and comfortable.

As the Flex Duo are just the tiniest bit big on Little Sister B right now, I have appreciated that Real Kids Shades included the optional neoprene strap. By simply sliding it onto the frames, it gives them an extra hold that fits easily under her hat or, in warmer weather, will keep her shades on under her bike helmet easily.

At the same time, Big Sister E's Glide Shades (for ages 7 - 12) in Aqua have a metallic sheen that she loves and the addition of rubber-tipped temple pieces to help them stay securely in place even easier.

All of Real Kids Shades' work to make these high quality and versatile really shows and, if these were slightly larger, I'd wear them myself!

When it comes to being even more fashion-forward, however, the Fabulous Shades (also for ages 7 - 12) combine all of the great qualities of Real Kids Shades' other sunglasses, but with a stylishly oversized look.

Who says that tweens can't look like movie stars while keeping their eyes protected from exposure to the sun's harmful rays?

I'm a moooovie star!

After using these sunglasses for a while, the girls and I agree that they are pretty fantastic. They include all of the quality and safety features that allow them to withstand being used by kids (Little Sister B has dropped and stepped on hers at least a handful of times) as well as the benefits of keeping their eyes protected. We bring them to the park, for walks, in the car — everywhere!

Children's eyes are at an increased risk for permanent eye damage from sunlight until they're at least 10 years old, so instead of kids' sunglasses being an afterthought, start thinking of them as necessary gear! Together with Prevent Blindness America, Real Kids Shades is committed to educating the public on the importance of protecting children's eyes.

Be sure to check out their large variety of styles ranging for ages 0 - 12 (most retailing for only $14.99) and the tremendous number of colors, as there is sure to be one to fit your child's personality and preference. Whether you spend most time just out playing in the yard or your family partakes in skiing, hiking, soccer and more, Real Kids Shades are the sunglasses that you'll reach for year-round!

Plus, thanks to their generosity, one person will soon have a stylish and safe item for the child in their life as well, because...

One lucky person will win their choice of sunglasses
from Real Kids Shades!

Entry-Form

A big thank you to Real Kids Shades for providing sunglasses for me to review as well as the pair of choice for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.