8 ways to make glasses exciting for kids
Wearing eyeglasses may be a change for some kids. Here are potential ways to make glasses enjoyable for them to choose and wear.
Adults who wear glasses may do so to see better at work — but also to look stylish. They may wear new frames in the office and get lots of compliments.
For kids, it can be a different experience. Maybe they’re having trouble reading assignments at school. They may need glasses to help straighten misaligned eyes (strabismus).1 Or they might need them to play sports or read music.
Whatever the case may be, wearing glasses could be an adjustment for kids. It’s important to make it as positive an experience as possible.
Here are 8 potential ways parents or other adults may make shopping for glasses exciting for kids.
UnitedHealthcare Vision offers a huge selection of eyeglasses that may be a good match for your child — and vision insurance can help pay for them.
1. Stay positive and provide encouragement.
This can help build the child’s confidence and make them feel good about wearing glasses. It could be a good idea to talk with them before going shopping. Remind them that glasses make it easier to see at school or play sports. (For some sports, a child may also need protective eyewear, so that could be a separate conversation.)
A person may also want to take their child to window-shop for glasses first. That way, there would be no pressure to buy a pair right away.
2. Provide real-world examples.
Reading books or streaming TV shows about children who wear glasses can help normalize the experience for a child. It can also be helpful to show them examples of family members who wear them. That could even be their parent.
Another option: A person could provide examples of celebrities, famous athletes and public figures who wear glasses. This may make a kid feel like glasses could be a positive, empowering addition to their everyday life.
3. Ensure the right comfort and fit.
Kids’ vision may change a lot in a short period of time. So it's important to get kids the right prescription and fit. That could include:2
- Cabled temples or adjustable straps. Cabled temples are the side pieces that wrap around the ear. A person will want to get kids something that they won’t be tempted to pull off — or won’t fall off easily.
- Durable frames. Rubber frames may be the most durable option, as well as the most comfortable for a child. But kids may also prefer metal or plastic.3
- Lightweight and impact-resistant lenses. For lenses, polycarbonate or Trivex materials are lightweight and impact-resistant, making them safer for active children.
- Photochromic lenses. These adjust to light conditions and can be a good addition.3
- Spring hinges. These may allow a kid to flex the temples outward without damaging the glasses.
For more information on lens options, download this helpful guide.
4. Set a good example.
Wear glasses? Parents may want to walk their child through their own glasses-wearing routine. Teach them to treat them with care. That could include how a person cleans, holds and/or stores their glasses. That could also be simply how they put them on. Children may pick these things up faster than their parents might expect.
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5. Get family and friends involved.
People may want to organize a “fashion show” with friends and family who wear glasses. They could even hand out prizes for different categories — including a prize that can go to the child no matter what.
6. Let kids accessorize.
People might be surprised at how much kids may want to look stylish in their glasses, too. A positive comment from a teacher or classmate could be good for a child’s self-esteem.
Kids’ frames come in a range of colors. Parents can also let kids accessorize their glasses with:
- Charms that affix to and can be removed from glasses frames
- Colorful straps that can be added or taken off the glasses
- Nameplates or tags that can be added to the sides of frames to personalize them
- Personalized glasses chains and/or cases with the child’s name on them
7. Have kids “try on” their glasses virtually.
If a parent is buying their child frames online using their UnitedHealthcare Vision insurance benefits, they have the opportunity to use the “virtual mirror” tool. This allows a child to “try on” glasses virtually before ordering them.
8. Make kids’ first pair a reason to celebrate.
Now that a parent may have taken their child on a “dry run” to the glasses shop, they can make the big day one to remember. Once a child picks out and wears their glasses, a parent could take them out for a treat to “show off” their glasses.
Order a child’s glasses online? The day the child’s glasses arrive, take them out to the movies or the local children’s museum to “test” them out.
Don’t live near an optical store? Have your child try on their new pair virtually on the UnitedHealthcare Vision website.
Sources:
- Glasses for Children American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, updated June 2023.
- How to Choose the Best Eyeglasses for Your Child University of Utah Health, July 2023.
- Choosing Glasses for Children Optometrists Network.
