The Best Bug Repellents for Kids

In wooded and high grass areas, you need the heavy stuff. The CDC, the EPA and Dr. Balk, all deem DEET a safe and extremely effective ingredient for repelling biting insects, such as chiggers, ticks and mosquitos. (DEET does not repel stinging insects, however, Dr. Balk notes.) Choose a repellent with 10-30 percent DEET, any more than that is unnecessary. Mariel Clark, VP of Digital Editorial & Programming, likes using Ben's to spray on clothing and shoes. "I like the little 4 oz. bottles, which we refill from a larger one," she said. "They're small enough to carry in a pocket but hold enough for the whole family and several applications."

For a non-chemical spray option, our Editor Chelsea Faulkner likes this one. "My Ben is a bug magnet – mosquitos love his chubby toddler arms. Last summer, I picked up this Off! plant-based repellent and it works great," she said. "Plus, it's DEET-free, which I like." Expect solid protection for up to two hours, which should be perfect for backyard play.

If you want long-lasting protection without chemicals, this fragrance-free, water-resistant formula is a good option. "I love EarthKind's Stay Away Mosquitos spray primarily because it's safe for kids and made with CDC-recommended Picaridin versus harsh chemicals," said Kayla Kitts, Managing Editor. "Plus, it offers 14-hour protection and is fragrance-free with no lingering chemical smell or greasy residue." In addition to repelling mosquitos, this Picaridin-based spray also keeps away chiggers, gnats and ticks.

Digital Content Development Coordinator Melissa Woodward likes this essential oil-based repellent spray. CDC-approved active ingredients like soybean, citronella and cedar oils effectively repel insects for up to two hours, which is comparable to a spray with about 10 percent DEET.

Senior Director Marianne Canada swears by these from Cutter. "They aren't natural but they work and aren't sticky or greasy," she said. "We really like bug repellent wipes – less messy than spray and easier to stash in a pocket." Since one wipe only has 7.15 percent DEET, don't expect protection to last much longer than an hour. These would be a great option for a park playground where ticks may not be as much of a concern.

"For super buggy areas or hikes in the woods, all bets are off and we use DEET," said Clark, and for good reason. Dr. Balk advises using DEET repellents in heavily wooded areas to prevent bites not only from mosquitos but also from ticks, fleas and chiggers. Ticks carry deadly diseases such as Lyme which is why it's so important to use effective protection when you're in dense woods. "I second Marianne on the wipes being convenient and great for kids (except when we accidentally let them dry out, which happens to us a lot)," Clark said.

Clark also likes this lotion option as an alternative to sprays. "It's messier to apply than a wipe but it works and it's DEET-free," she said. Picaridin-based repellents, like this one, are also recommended by the CDC and EPA as effective and safe to use on children to prevent tick and mosquito bites.

Treated with permethrin, an approved chemical that kills ticks on contact, and Insect Shield, an EPA- and CDC-approved odorless treatment that repels insects, this lightweight hoodie provides additional protection against biting bugs.

"Clothing is important," noted Dr. Balk. "Try to keep away from bright-colored clothes and flowery prints since these seem to attract insects." For sun and bug bite protection in one, these pants have both a permethrin treatment and SunSmart UPF of 50+. The neutral color ensures insects stay away, too.

Made of lightweight polyester fabric, this wide-brim hat is quick-drying, ventilated and provides 50+ UPF sun protection.

Canada also recommended mosquito repellent stickers that she used when her children were small and squirmy. While these aren't as effective as traditional topical solutions, they are multipurpose since you can apply stickers to strollers, backpacks or skin. Active ingredients like citronella and lemongrass oil work by masking scents that attract insects, but are not registered by the EPA.

Senior Content Strategist Alida Nugent stands by these convenient wristbands. "I used these when I went to a New Orleans swamp along with bug spray, and because I usually get bug bites no matter what, I think the combo saved me," she said. These are certainly easier to "apply" than lotion or spray, but we recommend that only kids elementary age or older use these to avoid choking or losing the bracelets. Because the oils used in these bracelets pose minimal risk, they don't require registration by the EPA and therefore haven't been evaluated for effectiveness, but they are safe to use.

And, when the inevitable happens, Faulkner loves this nifty little tool for instantly relieving itchiness. "[My son] and I both inevitably get a bite or two, so I keep The Bug Bite Thing in my purse all summer. It's a game-changer. As soon as I see a bite, we suck it up and it's gone the next day."