The Best Bug Sprays for Kids That Are Safe, Effective, and Easy to Apply, Tested by Verywell Family

Best Overall

Off! Family Care Insect Repellent With Picaridin

5

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我们的评级

• Effectiveness
  5 /5
• Value
  5 /5
• Smell
  5 /5
• Ease of Use
  5 /5

One of our editors who is prone to mosquito bites tested this spray on herself and her son while at the park one afternoon. After spending two hours in the sun, neither she nor her son had a single mosquito bite, which was a welcomed surprise. She also appreciated that this spray didn’t feel sticky on their skin or clothes or emit a strong, obtrusive scent.

Although bug sprays are prone to feeling greasy on your skin, OFF! FamilyCare is quite the opposite. In fact, it didn’t feel like there was anything on our skin, even if we sweated. We especially like that it has a spray dispenser that distributes a fine, widespread mist, which makes it super easy to apply.

OFF! FamilyCare is an EPA-registered product. Its main ingredient, picaridin, is one of the six ingredients recommended by the CDC to effectively and safely repel mosquitoes.

Since we can see ourselves using this spray quite often, we’d love it if it came in a larger size. However, OFF! FamilyCare was so effective and barely noticeable on our skin that we think it’s entirely worth it—even if we have to purchase it more often.

Price at time of publication: $8

^{Key Specs:
Active Ingredient:Picaridin (5%) |Protects Against:Mosquitoes |Scent:No |Reapplication:3-4 hours}

Best With DEET

Sawyer Controlled Release Insect Repellent

4.3

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我们的评级

• Effectiveness
  5 /5
• Value
  5 /5
• Smell
  3 /5
• Ease of Use
  4.2 /5

While gardening in his yard, one of our editors applied this repellent and didn't receive a single bite during the entire eight hours he spent outside. He loved that it was convenient to apply because it's a lotion and only required a pea-sized amount to cover both arms.

Although this repellent is marketed as odorless, we think it has somewhat of an oily smell. It also left a greasy feeling on our skin, which faded (along with the scent) about an hour after applying it. Thankfully, we didn't notice the scent on our clothes and it didn't appear to stain them, either.

Sawyer Products Premium Family Controlled Release Insect Repellent is an EPA-registered product. Its main ingredient, DEET, is one of the six ingredients recommended by the CDC. However, DEET should never be used on infants younger than 2 months old or in quantities of more than 30% on a child of any age.

Overall, we like that this repellent is relatively inexpensive and easy to apply. We also like that it comes in a tiny bottle, which makes it practical to carry in a tool belt, backpack, diaper bag, or purse, and that it kept us mosquito bite-free for hours at a time in the yard while testing.

Price at time of publication: $9

^{Key Specs:
Active Ingredient:DEET (20%) |Protects Against:Mosquitoes, ticks |Scent:No |Reapplication:Up to 11 hours}

Best With Picaridin

EarthKind Stay Away Mosquitoes Insect Repellent

5

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我们的评级

• Effectiveness
  4.9 /5
• Value
  5 /5
• Smell
  5 /5
• Ease of Use
  5 /5

Amazingly, this EarthKind insect repellent can prevent bites from mosquitoes and ticks for up to 14 hours, and those from gnats, biting flies, and chiggers for up to 8 hours. After applying it to our own skin, we were able to go an entire day without being bit, even while spending several hours at a time outdoors.

The nozzle on the EarthKind bottle cast a wide range, which helped us ensure that we applied it evenly. We love that it feels like a moisturizer; however, the spray made it challenging to apply to our kids’ faces. We also learned quickly that a little goes a long way with this repellent, and rubbing it in was crucial to preventing a white cast on our skin.

EarthKind Stay Away Mosquitoes Insect Repellent is an EPA-registered product. Its main ingredient, picaridin, is recommended by the CDC. Although picaridin is odorless, this spray did give off a faint sweet scent. It also doesn’t appear to be waterproof, so reapplying it to our kids was necessary after they played in the water. However, we appreciate that it only has four ingredients and kept us protected from mosquitoes for hours during testing, despite seeing many of them buzzing around the area.

Price at time of publication: $14

^{Key Specs:
Active Ingredient:Picaridin (20%) |Protects Against:Mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, chiggers |Scent:No |Reapplication:Up to 14 hours}

Best Natural

Repel Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent

5

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Each bottle of Repel contains 30% oil of lemon eucalyptus, which is recommended by the CDC as a natural and effective alternative to DEET and other synthetic mosquito repellents.However, Dr. Murphy Rose recommends that parents refrain from using this on their young toddlers since repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus are not safe for children younger than 3 years old.

While the spray bottle makes applying this repellent easier, it’s not a one-step process. Because this formula is oil-based, you must rub it into your skin for it to be truly effective, and you should clean your hands afterward. Also, we suggest waiting until you’re outside to apply it since its lemony scent can be quite intense.

Our favorite thing about this mosquito repellent is that it works for up to six hours. We also like that it can be applied to clothing and doesn’t have the usual “bug spray” smell. However, when applying this repellent, don’t spray it directly on the face and be sure to limit application to twice per day.

Price at time of publication: $11

^{Key Specs:
Active Ingredient:Oil of lemon eucalyptus (30%) |Protects Against:Mosquitoes |Scent:Yes |Reapplication:Up to 6 hours}

Best for Babies

Babyganics Natural Insect Repellent

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When it comes to protecting a baby’s skin, we love Babyganics Natural Insect Repellent because it contains no parabens, sulfates, phthalates, dyes, or synthetic fragrances. Made from a blend of plant and essential oils, its main ingredient is organic soybean oil, which has been shown to repel mosquitoes for about 1.5 hours.

Although this repellent is safe for babies, it shouldn’t be used on those younger than 6 months of age. Instead, Dr. Murphy Rose recommends using a mosquito net for young babies (some strollers and bassinets come with them) and dressing them in clothing that covers as much skin as possible.

When applying this repellent, parents should first apply it to their hands and then rub it on their baby’s skin. It may feel a bit greasy at first, and you’ll have to rub it in to ensure it’s spread evenly across the skin. You may also find that the lemony scent is a bit strong, but that’s to be expected with an essential oil-based product.

Price at time of publication: $23

^{Key Specs:
Active Ingredient:Soybean oil (95.25%), rosemary oil (1.50%), citronella oil (0.95%), geranium oil (0.75%), cedarwood oil (0.70%), peppermint oil (0.60%), lemongrass oil (0.25%) |Protects Against:Mosquitoes |Scent:Yes |Reapplication:1.5 hours}

Best DEET-Free

Murphy's Naturals Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Insect Repellent

5

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If you’re looking for a plant-based alternative to traditional mosquito repellent, we recommend Murphy’s Naturals Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Insect Repellent Spray. Its main ingredient is oil of lemon eucalyptus, which is the only plant-based mosquito repellent recommended by the CDC. What’s more, this repellent is registered with the EPA, so you don’t have to worry about applying it to your skin.

Murphy’s Naturals can safely and effectively repel mosquitoes for up to six hours. It can also repel ticks anywhere from 4-8 hours, depending on the type of tick. We also like that it’s safe to spray on clothes and gear, which makes it ideal for taking along for hikes, camping, and sporting events.

Another thing we like about Murphy’s Naturals is that it’s a Certified B Corporation and uses 25% post-consumer recycled materials in its packaging. We also appreciate that it’s a 1% For the Planet member, which means it gives 1% of its annual sales to environmental causes. It’s also registered with the EPA.

Given its high concentration of oil of lemon eucalyptus, this mosquito repellent has a pretty strong scent. However, if you’re determined to keep the bugs away naturally, you can’t go wrong with Murphy’s Naturals.

Price at time of publication: $13

^{Key Specs:
Active Ingredient:Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (30%) |Protects Against:Mosquitoes, ticks |Scent:Yes |Reapplication:Up to 6 hours}

Best Cream

Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent

4.7

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我们的评级

• Effectiveness
  5 /5
• Value
  4 /5
• Smell
  5 /5
• Ease of Use
  5 /5

我们的一个编辑tested this mosquito repellent while working in her garden for several hours and wasn’t bit the entire time. It was resistant to sweat, didn’t stain her clothes, and gave off a pleasant citrus scent that faded within minutes.

Although it felt a bit greasy at first, the texture and color of this lotion made it easy to see where it had been applied. Since it’s white and relatively thick, it reminded us of sunscreen, except that it fully absorbed into our skin without leaving a white cast behind. What’s more, you can use it while wearing sunscreen and won’t have to worry about reducing its effectiveness.

Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent is an EPA-registered product. Although it’s only available in a 4- or 6-ounce bottle, this controlled-release repellent lasts up to 14 hours. It’s also just as effective at repelling ticks, and we can definitely see ourselves using it again and again.

Price at time of publication: $17

^{Key Specs:
Active Ingredient:Picaridin (20%) |Protects Against:Mosquitoes, ticks |Scent:Yes |Reapplication:Up to 14 hours}

Best Stickers

BuzzPatch Mosquito Stickers for Kids

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Buzz Patch Mosquito Repellent Stickers are a quick and mess-free alternative to traditional mosquito repellent. To keep mosquitoes away, these stickers contain citronella oil, which may help mask some of the scents that are attractive to mosquitoes.Since these stickers are worn on clothing rather than skin, they’re even safe for babies to wear—although you should always check with your pediatrician first.

Besides the fact that you can apply these stickers to your child in seconds without the mess, we love that they come in a pack of 60 colorful smiley face stickers that allow kids to pick and choose their favorites. We also like that they come with specific instructions on where to place the stickers depending on your child’s age. However, since each sticker only repels a certain amount of area, older kids and adults are required to wear more stickers.

Since Buzz Patch Mosquito Repellent Stickers contain citronella oil, they’re exempt from registration with the EPA. However, the citronella they contain can remain effective for 6-72 hours, which makes these patches great for camping, a trip to a theme park, or a day at the beach. Just be sure to bring extra because these stickers aren’t waterproof.

Price at time of publication: $15

^{Key Specs:
Active Ingredient:Citronella oil (10%) |Protects Against:Mosquitoes |Scent:Yes |Reapplication:6 hours}

Best Wipes

Cutter All Family Mosquito Wipes

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Since carrying a bottle of bug repellent around is not always convenient, Cutter All Family Mosquito Wipes are a great option for a parent on the go. They can fit in a purse, diaper bag, or fanny pack, and are even within the limits for carry-on luggage.

We love that this repellent is easy to apply to faces and wiggly toddlers (but be sure to avoid applying it near their eyes, mouth, and hands). We also like that they don’t leave behind a sticky residue, have a pleasant citrus scent, and that each pack contains 15 wipes.

The downside to these wipes is that they need to be reapplied every two hours. This is because the concentration of DEET is relatively low (7.15%). However, these Cutter Wipes cost just $7 and are EPA registered, which makes the frequent application worth the effort.

Price at time of publication: $7

^{Key Specs:
Active Ingredient:DEET (7.15%) |Protects Against:Mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, no-see-ums, chiggers, fleas |Scent:Yes |Reapplication:2 hours}

Best Bracelet

Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Bands

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Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Bracelets are meant to be worn on your wrist or ankle. They’re infused with essential oils that have been shown to repel mosquitoes and can be effective for up to 10 days or 250 hours. Cliganic bracelets are safe for pregnant women and can be used by kids and adults alike; however, they’re not recommended for kids younger than 3 years of age.

Since Cliganic bracelets contain a variety of essential oils, they’re exempt from registration with the EPA. Specifically, each bracelet contains a mixture of geranium, lemongrass, and citronella oil, all of which have been shown to help prevent mosquito bites.

Our favorite thing about the Cliganic bracelets is that they come in a resealable packet that allows you to store your bracelet when not in use. This keeps your bracelet fresh so you can reuse it. We also like that the bracelets are waterproof and come in a variety of colors, which helps family members know whose is whose.

Price at time of publication: $13

^{Key Specs:
Active Ingredient:Geranium oil (16.05%), lemongrass oil (5%), citronella oil (0.95%) |Protects Against:Mosquitoes |Scent:Yes |Reapplication:250 hours}

Best Organic

Hello Bello Organic Bug Spray

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你好贝罗有机杀虫剂是其中之一you can feel good about applying to the entire family—even your pets! However, it’s not recommended for babies younger than 6 months old. According to Hello Bello, it’s even safe for pregnant women to use, but we recommend checking with your doctor before applying bug repellent when pregnant.

We love that this bug spray is made from a mixture of organic essential oils that have been proven to repel mosquitoes. However, essential oils tend to be less effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET or picaridin, so you’ll need to reapply this bug spray every four hours.

你好贝罗是闻名使用溢价ients, so it’s no surprise that this bug spray is hypoallergenic and contains no parabens, phthalates, or synthetic fragrances. We also like that the makers of this bug spray opted to add vitamin E, an antioxidant that moisturizes the skin and improves its overall health.

Price at time of publication: $10

^{Key Specs:
Active Ingredient:Citronella, lemongrass, thyme, cedarwood, and peppermint oil |Protects Against:Mosquitoes |Scent:Yes |Reapplication:4 hours}