What's Trending: The Must-Have Kids' Tops of Summer 2025

$19.95

The Lilo & Stitch Tank Top was a standout in our testing—soft ribbed cotton, great breathability and a fan-friendly graphic make it a top-rated choice with a 9/10 score. We found it pairs effortlessly with shorts for casual days and playdates, and at $19.95 it delivers big value for an officially themed piece. During our review the limited-edition design was a highlight but also a potential downside since our experience shows it can sell out quickly, so grab it while it’s available.

$19.95

at Gap

$35.00

The Sloth Classic Cotton T-Shirt is a durable, well-made graphic tee that felt sturdy in our testing thanks to pre-shrunk, medium-weight 100% cotton and reinforced double-stitching. We found the hand-dyed, water-based inks deliver safe, vibrant prints that hold up on playdates and school days, but during our review limited size availability and delays in shipping reduced convenience. Our experience shows the $35 price is higher than some similar tees, so if longevity and eco-friendly printing matter, it’s a nice pick despite a 6.5/10 score.

$35.00

at Themountain

$29.99

The Deadpool & Wolverine T-Shirt is a standout for fans with its bold, colorful screen art that made it pop in our testing, but it only earned a 6/10 overall because durability issues are real. We found the graphic held vibrant out of the box, and the cotton feels comfy for casual wear and playdates. During our review several customers reported significant shrinkage after washing and quicker wear than expected—our experience shows careful laundering and sizing up can limit disappointment. It’s a fun statement tee, but plan for shorter longevity.

$29.99

at Sears

$5.99

This Baby Linen-Blend Shirt is an extremely wallet-friendly button-down that felt light and breezy in our testing, making it a comfortable pick for warm-weather playdates at just $5.99. We found the soft-woven linen blend offers good breathability and a cute printed pattern for casual or party wear, but the fabric is a touch thin—so layering may be necessary on cooler mornings. During our review it scored lower on versatility (6.5/10) because the delicate weave limits year-round use, though its price makes it hard to resist.

$5.99

at Gap

$12.60

The Under Armour Boys' Short Sleeve Shirt is a lightweight, breathable layer that works well for active kids and comes at an attractive price, earning mixed marks (6/10) in our review. During our testing we appreciated how airy it felt during high-energy play, but we found the material to be thinner than expected and saw durability concerns after repeated wear. Our experience shows another red flag: the item is marketed as 100% polyester yet appears to be a blend, so check fibers carefully if fabric content matters to you.

$12.60

at Amazon

$35.00

The Miller Puff Sleeve Bow Top offers a sweet peplum silhouette with puff sleeves and bow closures that felt very polished for parties and playdates in our testing. We found the 100% polyester fabric holds the shape well, but during our review it wasn’t as breathable as natural fibers and the hand-wash care instructions add extra maintenance. Our experience shows the unique styling scores points for photos and special occasions, yet it earned a 6/10 because practicality and care needs may limit everyday use.

$35.00

at Shophellocol...

$22.77

The Youth Mesh Athletic T-Shirts earned a 5.5/10 in our review — at $22.77 they deliver breathable, lightweight comfort and moisture-wicking performance that works well for gym class and active summer days. We found the polyester mesh keeps kids cool during high-energy play and the airy feel is a definite plus. However, our experience shows sizing often runs large and several customers reported seams splitting after washing, so durability is a concern. If you need a light training tee for occasional use it's fine, but frequent laundry may reveal wear.

$22.77

at Amazon

$35.00

The Essentials Short-Sleeve Tee is a relaxed, 100% cotton jersey staple that feels supremely soft and earned a solid 7/10 in our testing for everyday wear. In our testing we appreciated the dropped shoulders and oversized cut for a modern, easygoing silhouette that’s perfect for school and playdates, but we found the minimalist design and subtle branding might disappoint shoppers seeking bold graphics. During our review the relaxed fit ran large for some kids, so our experience shows sizing down often gives a better fit without sacrificing comfort.

$35.00

at Goat

$39.99

MANGO’s Striped Shirt impressed us with its soft lyocell blend and versatile multi-position closure, earning a 7.5/10 for comfort and style. In our testing the fabric felt luxuriously soft against the skin and the closure lets you switch up the look for school or casual outings, but we found the oversized cut may not suit kids who prefer a more tailored fit. During our review limited size availability was another drawback, so our experience shows trying it on where possible helps avoid surprises.

$39.99

at Mango

$41.04

Zazzle’s Zebra Stripes Tank Top is a lightweight, well-printed polyester piece that packed travel-friendly performance in our testing and scored a solid 7/10. We found the fabric to be soft and smooth, making it comfortable for beach days and casual wear, and its lightweight construction makes it easy to pack. During our review the fit ran slightly long for petite kids and sizing sometimes required ordering up, and our experience shows shoppers who prefer natural fibers may want to skip the polyester fabric.

$41.04

at Zazzle

$30.00

If you’re drawn to bold patterns, the Bricks Pattern Crop Tee’s all-over printed design is eye-catching and playful for casual summer wear. During our review the polyester construction gave a lightweight, printed finish we liked, but we found ordering on demand can lead to longer delivery times which hurt convenience. Our experience shows the crop style may be trendy but isn’t ideal if you need something quick — it scored a modest 5.5/10 mostly because of potential wait times rather than the look itself.

$30.00

at Thebrickches...

$17.99

The Printed Pima Cotton Top is an affordable, soft option made from Pima cotton that felt comfortable and breathable in our testing, ideal for casual school days or playdates. We found the printed button-down style versatile, but during our review several shoppers mentioned the top runs long and the fabric can be thinner than expected. Our experience shows it’s a good budget-friendly pick at $17.99 for everyday wear — it scored a 7/10 because comfort is high but finish and length may surprise you.

$17.99

at Macys

$18.31

The All-Over Print Crop Top impressed us in testing with its smooth microfiber yarn, four-way stretch and precision-cut construction that make it extra comfortable and flattering for casual or party wear. We found the hand-sewn finish and stretch recovery deliver a polished fit, though during our review the sublimation process can shift graphics up to 2 inches and fabric weight may vary slightly by about 5%. Our experience shows it’s one of the stronger picks in this batch — an 8.5/10 — if you love a bold printed crop.

$18.31

at Printful

$39.00

The Mopped Raw Edge Tee from Rylee & Cru is a soft 100% cotton graphic tee that feels great for summer play and earned a respectable 7.5/10 in our testing. We found the shoulder snaps on infant sizes make quick outfit changes painless, and the quirky 'moped' print adds real personality for casual days out. During our review the raw-edge hem raised durability questions—fraying showed up after repeated washes—and our experience shows the $39 price and limited sizing keep it from being a budget buy.

$39.00

at Tinyhanger

$52.50

The Liliana Cherries Set is a summer-ready 100% cotton duo with a sleeveless gathered top and matching shorts that earned an 8/10 in our review for style and comfort. We found the smocked elastic waistband on the shorts makes for an easy, comfortable fit and the ruffled hem gives a polished, playful look ideal for beach days and playdates. During our testing it felt breathable and well-made, but our experience shows the set is a bit of a splurge for some shoppers at its price point, so weigh the cost against how often it’ll be worn.

$52.50

at Shopsunsetpi...

$24.95

If you want a playful summer staple, the Flamingo Outfit for Girls brings vibrant colors and a handmade charm that really stands out in our testing. We found the 100% cotton graphic tee feels soft on sensitive skin and the short sleeves make it an easy choice for casual days, parties, or playdates. During our review the craftsmanship impressed us, but our experience shows it runs small and the fabric can fade or shrink after washing, so sizing up and gentle care are smart. It scored a solid 7.5/10 — lovely design, just weigh the price and fit before buying.

$24.95

at Etsy

$34.95

The Raw Edge Tee is a clean, 100% cotton short-sleeve staple that impressed us with a breathable feel and an embroidered logo that elevates a simple look. During our review the slim fit gave a modern shape we liked, but we found that restrictive cut and limited color options make it less versatile for every body type. Our experience shows it’s a stylish everyday tee for casual playdates if you prefer a fitted silhouette, earning a 7/10 for quality and aesthetic despite the narrower fit.

$34.95

at Lindberghsho...

$25.00

The Cropped Pocket Tee nails a relaxed, trendy vibe with a raw edge detail and a handy pocket that felt stylish in our testing for beach days and casual outings. During our review the cropped length gave it on-trend appeal, but we found that shorter cut means less coverage — something to consider if your kid prefers more modest pieces. Our experience shows the lack of detailed material information makes it harder to judge long-term durability, and overall it earned a 6.5/10 as a fashionable, short-term piece.

$25.00

at Lydiaannesbo...

$9.98

The SANMIO Toddler Girl Outfit Set (6.5/10) is an inexpensive summer option at $9.98 that felt soft and breathable in our testing despite being 100% polyester. We found the mix-and-match solid design, half-zip top and elastic waistband make it super easy for quick get-ready mornings and playdates. Our experience shows sizing runs large and can be inconsistent between tops and shorts, so plan to order down for a better fit. It’s a practical casual set for short-term wear, but if you prefer natural fibers, expect trade-offs for the low price.

$9.98

at Amazon

$98.50

The Floral Ruffle Top & Skirt Set is a charming, picture-ready ensemble with delicate ruffles and a feminine floral print that looked great in our review, though it scored a modest 7/10. We found the polyester fabric draped nicely and the sleeveless top works well for warm-weather parties and casual days, but during our testing the lack of sleeves limits year-round wear unless you plan to layer. Our experience shows the set’s higher price tag near $98.50 makes it more of a special-occasion pick than an everyday option.

$98.50

at Nordstrom

$125.00

The Birds Blouse by KATHRYN is a unique, fine-woven 100% cotton button-down with an eye-catching bird print that feels breathable and versatile for year-round wear, though it scored a lower 5.5/10 in our review. We found the ability to roll sleeves in warm weather and layer in cooler months a real practical benefit, but our experience shows the $125 price and limited size availability are significant drawbacks for many families. During our testing the care requirements—line drying and warm ironing—also made it less convenient for busy parents.

$125.00

at Lesleyevers

$19.99

H&M’s Balloon-sleeved Blouse brings a fashion-forward silhouette with a band collar, V-neckline and dramatic long balloon sleeves that look great for casual outings or summer parties. In our testing the loose fit felt comfortable and stylish, but we found the 100% rayon fabric needs careful handling to avoid shrinkage or damage when washing. During our review the bright blue-and-white printed pattern was a standout — though our experience shows it won’t suit shoppers who prefer solids — and its 6/10 score reflects that trade-off between style and practicality.

$19.99

at Hm

$76.80

Free People’s Flower Patch Top is a standout with its relaxed, slouchy 100% cotton build and eye-catching floral patch print that felt very summer-ready in our testing. We found the roomy silhouette comfortable for casual days and playdates, but during our review the oversized cut often ran large and the shorter length may be surprising for some shoppers. Our experience shows this top scores well at 8/10 for unique design and comfort, though you’ll want to size carefully to avoid an unflattering fit.

$76.80

at Kelleycawley

$12.60

The Kids Oxford Button Down Shirt in blue scored 7/10 in our testing thanks to its 100% cotton oxford weave, button-down collar and handy chest patch pocket that give a classic, school-ready look. We found the pre-washed fabric feels soft and more resistant to shrinkage than lower-priced rivals. During our review some shirts arrived with pen marks and the fit runs small—our experience shows you should size up, especially for active kids since the fabric has limited stretch. Overall, it’s a dependable, budget-friendly wardrobe staple.

$12.60

at Childrenspla...

$9.99

Girls' Short Sleeve T-Shirts were one of the stronger budget finds in our testing, earning an 8/10 for their soft 100% cotton feel, stretch, and bright graphic designs that kids love. We found the high-quality stitching holds up well through washes and the shirts are comfortable for school and playdates. During our review some designs ran small and a few colors appeared different in person—our experience shows checking size charts and customer photos helps avoid surprises. For everyday wear these tees are a reliable, colorful pick.

$9.99

at Amazon