10 Best Bug Sprays for Kids in 2023: Reviews & Top Picks

While all bug sprays promise to protect kids, some miss the mark. They either don’t provide the proper protection, or they have ingredients that are harmful in their own right.

It’s so much to deal with when you’re already busy, so we wanted to highlight 10 of the best options on the market today with comprehensive reviews. There’s also a buyer’s guide, so you can learn more about bug sprays and figure out the perfect choice for your kids.

A Glance at Our Winners in 2023

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		All Terrain Herbal Armor	Natural formula Effective formula Great for sensitive skin	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Repel Bee Sportsmen Max Formula	Long-lasting protection Affordable Easy-to-apply and effective option	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		Badger Anti-Bug Shake & Spray	Natural formula Easy to apply Effective formula	CHECK PRICE
		Ranger Ready Picaridin	Lengthy effective time Easy to apply Mild scent	CHECK PRICE
		Yaya Organics Baby Bug Ban	Natural formula Mild scent Easy to apply	CHECK PRICE

The 10 Best Bug Sprays for Kids

1. All Terrain Herbal Armor Spray for Kids— Best Overall

If you’re looking for the best overall bug spray for kids, you’re not going to find a better choice than All Terrain Herbal Armor. It’s a completely natural formula that does a great job of keeping all sorts of bugs and insects away.

It’s also great for those with sensitive skin, it’s cruelty free, and you don’t need to spend much to get it. Moreover, it comes in a compact bottle that is easy to store away, and it’s specifically for kids.

The downside to this spray is that it only has a 2-hour effective time, so you need to reapply it semi-frequently to keep getting full protection. Still, it’s everything that a parent looks for when shopping for a bug spray for kids.

2. Repel Bee Sportsmen Max Formula Bug Spray — Best Value

If you’re on a tight budget but want to keep bugs and insects away from your kids, Repel Bee Sportsmen Max Formula is the way to go. You’re not going to find a more effective formula than this, and it keeps bugs away for an astonishing 6 hours after just one application.

This paired with its low price tag means you don’t have to spend much money and you won’t have to replace it anytime soon. However, while there’s no denying how effective it is, it’s not a natural option.

It’s still safe around kids, but you might want something gentler on their skin. At this price point, though, it’s easy to see why it’s the best bug spray for kids for the money. It’s not perfect, but it’s far better than letting a bunch of bugs bite your kids.

3. Badger Anti-Bug Shake & Spray — Premium Choice

If you don’t mind spending more money to get the best of the best for your kids, this Badger Anti-Bug Shake & Spray is the way to go. It’s a completely natural and organic formula, and it does a great job of keeping bugs away.

It’s easy to apply and provides up to 3 hours of protection with each application. It does have a citronella scent, but it’s relatively mild, so it shouldn’t overwhelm you. It’s also another way that the spray keeps insects and bugs away from your kids.

However, it is expensive, and it won’t last quite as long as some of the non-natural options on this list. You need to reapply this bug spray every 3 hours, while those other options can last anywhere between 6 and 12 hours with a single application.

4. Ranger Ready Picaridin Bug Spray

If you’re simply looking at the longest effective time frame, Ranger Ready Picaridin is near the top of the list, providing up to 12 hours of protection with just a single application.

It’s also easy to apply and made in the U.S.A., so you know exactly what you’re getting. It does have a mild scent, but the citrus smell is something that most people find pleasant.

However, this is not a natural ingredient formula. Also, it’s expensive. In fact, the only thing that helps justify the high price tag is its large size. But even when you break it down to the cost per ounce, you’re still spending quite a bit of money.

5. Yaya Organics Baby Bug Ban for Kids

If you’re looking for a bug spray that works for even the smallest family members, Yaya Organic Baby Bug Ban is a great choice. It uses a natural formula that’s safe for everyone, and it provides up to 3 hours of protection with each application.

It’s made in the U.S.A. and has a mild floral scent. But while this is a great choice for small children, our primary concern is the overall effectiveness. While it’s certainly helpful, it’s not as effective as many other options.

You also have to apply it more often, and it’s expensive once you factor in the small size. But if you want an organic option for tiny tots, it’s much better than nothing.

6. Cutter Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent Spray

Cutter Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent is a natural bug spray that you can use to help protect your kids from bug and insect bites. As the name implies, it uses lemon eucalyptus oil to help deter bugs. It’s not the most effective option out there, but it is completely natural.

It’s also extremely affordable and easy to apply, and it provides protection for up to 6 hours with a single application. However, its primary deterrence is the scent, and it’s a strong smell that people can pick up on too.

While lemon eucalyptus isn’t necessarily an unpleasant odor, most people don’t want to smell like it all day. Still, at this price point, it’s worth considering, especially considering that it’s an all-natural formula.

7. Stay Away Picaridin Unscented Bug Spray

If you’re looking for a completely unscented option, this Stay Away Picaridin Unscented Spray is worth considering. It’s the only option on this list that has absolutely no scent, as it doesn’t use natural ingredients as a bug deterrent. It also lasts longer for this reason, with protection lasting for up to 14 hours for mosquitoes. It also helps protect against other bugs and insects, but that protection only lasts for up to 8 hours before you need to reapply. often

The formula itself is effective, even though it could be better for those with sensitive skin. It’s also expensive. But considering how seldom you have to reapply it, it should last for a while.

8. OFF! FamilyCare Insect & Mosquito Repellent Spritz

OFF! is one of the largest names in the bug spray industry, so it’s no surprise that it has an option for kids. However, it is surprising that it’s not the most effective option out there. The Deet amount in this formula is significantly lowered, but OFF! doesn’t add anything else to deter bugs and insects.

While the lower Deet amount is a good thing, without adding anything else, all the company is really doing is lowering the protection level.

Still, there’s no denying that it’s an affordably priced option, especially since it comes in a 9-ounce container. It also has skin-soothing properties due to the aloe vera, which means it’s a great choice for those with sensitive skin.

But since it’s not natural or the most effective and you have to keep reapplying it, it may not be worth the low price tag.

9. Babyganics Insect Spray for Kids

Babyganics Insect Spray is a completely natural bug spray option that you can feel good about using to keep your kids safe. It’s a decent mix of price and quantity when you consider that each pack comes with two 6-ounce spray bottles.

Each bottle has a strong citronella scent, but this at least helps keep bugs and insects away. It depends on how much you don’t like the smell of citronella if this is a deal-breaker for you.

Regardless of the odor, this isn’t the most effective bug deterrent out there. It’s certainly better than nothing, but there are more effective options. You also need to reapply it every 2 hours.

10. Cutter Skinsations Insect Repellent Pump Spray

Cutter Skinsations Insect Repellent Pump Spray is an extremely affordable option that combines insect and bug spray with moisturizing features. The formula itself is extremely effective at keeping bugs and insects away.

It has a mild fresh scent that most people don’t mind, but it’s not a natural formula. The moisturizing and skin-soothing features may help alleviate a few of the concerns of Deet, but it doesn’t completely eliminate them.

It also has a short effective time, so you’ll need to keep reapplying this spray to keep insects away. Still, while it’s not a perfect option, you could do far worse than Cutter Skinsations Insect Repellent Pump Spray.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Bug Spray for Kids

Now that you know more about the best bug sprays out there for kids, it can be a bit of a challenge to narrow it down to just one. That’s why we developed this buyer’s guide, to walk you through everything that you need to know when picking out a bug spray for your kids.

Why You Should Apply Bug Spray

Before you invest in bug spray, you need to know why you should. First, it’ll keep your kids more comfortable because they won’t have to swat away as many bugs and or deal with any painful bites.

Second and most importantly, bugs can carry various diseases, and they can pass those diseases to people through bites. While the exact diseases that bugs can spread depend on the region you’re in, it’s best to play it safe and protect yourself and your kids when you’re outdoors.

One of the easiest ways to do this is to apply a bug spray before heading out. The kids stay more comfortable and they stay safe, which is a win-win!

Natural vs. Unnatural Active Ingredients

One of the primary deciding factors for many parents when it comes to bug spray is whether the formula has natural or “unnatural” ingredients. Natural ingredients tend to be gentler on the skin, but they often don’t provide as much protection and don’t provide that protection for as long.

“Unnatural” ingredients like Deet and picaridin might irritate sensitive skin, but they generally provide better and longer-lasting protection. These ingredients also tend to cost less, which matters if the price is a factor.

There’s no wrong choice here, just know what you’re getting before you order something.

Scented vs. Unscented Options

Once again, there’s no right or wrong answer here. Most of the options on this list have some sort of scent, and you may have a smell that you prefer over another.

However, it is worth noting that products with a citronella odor typically provide an extra element of protection because most insects don’t like that smell.

But while bugs might not like the scent, you might not like it either. Basically, try to find something that you’ll like so you’ll apply it without hesitation when you or your kids need it.

Conclusion

If you’re still trying to figure out what bug spray to get for kids after reading through these reviews and buyer’s guide, consider the top choices. If you want an all-natural option, go with All Terrain Herbal Armor. If you don’t want to spend as much and don’t mind getting something with Deet, Repel Bee Sportsmen Max Formula will give you some of the most comprehensive and long-lasting protection.

The important thing is to order something before the bugs try to swarm during your next outing!

Featured Image Credit: Elizaveta Galitckaia, Shutterstock