Last Updated on July 2, 2025 by Nala Thorpe
Getting the first pair of earrings is a special occasion in the life of every little girl and her parents. However, in addition to a cute design, it’s also important to think about safety and comfort. So how do you choose children’s earrings to not just be beautiful, but above all practical?
Think about the material first and foremost
When it comes to children’s earrings, the best choice is gold – yellow, white or rose. This is because it is hypoallergenic and therefore suitable even for the sensitive skin of children. A good alternative is surgical steel or high-quality silver which should however be rhodium plated. On the other hand, it’s best to avoid cheap costume-style jewelry that may contain nickel and other allergy-causing substances.
Choosing earring size and shape based on age
Every age group needs a different type of earring. Why? It’s simple. Not only does the size of the ears change but also how active the child is as well as how much they are able to play with the earrings.
Newborns and infants: The best earrings for babies and infants are very small, light earrings with a smooth surface and no sharp edges.
Toddlers: They can handle more variety when it comes to shapes, but you should still keep safety front of mind. Very small hoop earrings (also known as sleeper earrings) or dainty drop earrings that are comfortable even when the child is active would work very well.
Older children: Once children are older, you could let them choose based on their own tastes–for instance a playful theme, their favorite animals or the color of a stone in the earrings. But even with older children, it’s still important to think about the quality of the materials used.
The finest types of clasps for children’s earrings
Earring clasps on children’s earrings should be designed in such a way that they won’t accidentally come loose or get lost during play or sleep. The right clasp should be made in such a way that a child cannot open it on their own but it is easy for parents to fasten.
- A front clasp–for children from 3 months to about 8 years of age, earrings with a front clasp are a great choice. The movable part of the earring is threaded through the hole in the ear and then into a small eyelet at the front. This type of clasp is difficult for the child to open on their own and the risk of the earring being caught unintentionally on something is also significantly reduced.
- A screwback closure–the earrings are held in place with a screw-like earring post that the earring back is screwed on to so there is no risk of the earring falling out. These types of earrings are suitable for infants and older.
- Pushbacks (studs)–these are a practical option for older children where there is no longer any risk of them swallowing small parts. But one thing to keep in mind is the fact that these types of earrings may dig into the skin as the child sleeps.
Safety and comfort first and foremost
Children’s earrings should have a smooth surface with no sharp edges and they should always be made in one piece so that there is no risk of them breaking apart and of the child swallowing small parts. And always make sure that the earrings you choose meet the required safety standards.
A small though to finish on
A little girl’s first pair of earrings can become a beautiful memento that is passed down from generation to generation. It is therefore a good idea to consider buying a quality piece of jewelry that will have lasting value – not just sentimental, but also material.
