The Best Kids Mosquito Repellents of 2021

by Tal Ditye, PhD

We scoured the scientific literature, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) website, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) publications, and researched the distribution of insects and diseases around the country. In the end, we came away with a pretty good understanding of which bug sprays and lotions are most effective against tick-borne and mosquito-borne illnesses, which are the safest bug sprays and lotions for kids, and how and when to apply them to ensure the best protection. Below is our list of the top 5 best best mosquito repellents for kids (adults can use these too!), followed by our in-depth reviews of several different options.

The number of illnesses carried by ticks and mosquitoes seems to be rising every year, with Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), Lyme, Zika, Malaria, Powassan, and other funky names pervading the news and making parents anxious about protecting their babies and kids with the safest and most effective bug sprays available.

But how do you go about finding the best when there are thousands of insect repellent options on Amazon alone, ranging in ingredients, method of application, effectiveness, safety, and longevity. And which ones work best against the insects you're most worried about? What if you're more worried about mosquitoes than ticks, or vice-versa? Does that change what you should use? Well, we did the research and testing for you! For more details on what makes for a safe and effective mosquito repellent, scroll down past the reviews.

In pulling together our list of the best mosquito repellents for babies, toddlers, and big kids, we primarily considered the safety and efficacy of product ingredients. We also considered the smells, greasiness, and ease of application. To read entire list of best kids mosquito repellents, click here.