Kids' hoodies

Because the European standard EN 14682 prohibits drawcords and loose bands in the head and neck area on children's clothing up to body height 122 (around 6 years). The reason is the risk of strangulation and swallowing: small children get caught with cords on playground equipment, fence slats or slides, and loose cord ends end up in the mouth. Instead of drawcords, at these sizes elastic hood hems, sewn-in bands or cord-free safety cords are used, which secure the familiar hood fit without posing a hazard. From size 128 (around 8 years) cords are permitted again under the standard - nevertheless many clubs and schools stay with cord-free models for larger children too for reasons of uniformity. With every nursery and primary school order: make absolutely sure that all sizes in the order comply with the standard.

For nursery summer collections, holiday camps and transitional weather, 240 to 260 g/m² is ideal - kids overheat faster when romping than adults, less is more here. The sweet spot for club youth (U9 and U11 football, gymnastics clubs) and school hoodies is 270 to 290 g/m² - print- and embroidery-friendly, lasts one to two school years and is opaque even in bright colours. For winter club trainers at U15 and older, handball juniors in the hall and choir performances in November, we recommend 300 to 320 g/m² - dense fleeceⁱ, noticeable weight, keeps warmth even in wind on the sports pitch. For teens from 158 cm largely adult rules apply, 320 g/m² Fluffy models in streetwear cut are also in demand here.

Always by body height in centimetres, never by age. Children grow at extremely different rates, and ordering by years leads to a significant error rate – at nursery age, two centimetres of difference is enough to make a hoodie too small or too large. Before the team order: have all children measured once against the wall in trainers, round the measured height up to 6 cm (standard size increments are 6 cm up to size 122, then 8 cm) and then order. For nursery collections with an age range of 3 to 6 years, sizes 98, 104, 110 and 116 are sufficient – that covers 90 per cent of the group. For mixed primary school classes, 122, 128, 134 and 140 are the core range. For family corporate events with adults and children in the same model: include a joint overview size chart with cm-to-age conversion, otherwise parents will order incorrectly. Allow 5 to 10 per cent reserve per size – new joiners and growth quickly make the reserve valuable.

Just Hoods (5 models) is the range leader with us – the British AWDis sub-brand brings its adult bestsellers in child-appropriate cuts, including the organic cottonⁱ line JH201K. Build Your Brand (4 models) translates the streetwear look into the kids' range – the Fluffy Hoodie BY315 is the teens' choice for merch with a current silhouette. SOL'S (3 models) from France delivers basic models and organic options for price-conscious club orders. Fruit of the Loom (3 models) is the US price anchor with F421K as the nursery standard hoodie. Tee Jays (2 models) brings organic cotton in a junior cut for clubs with a sustainability commitment. Russell Athletic (2 models) rounds out with double-layer hoods for U13 and handball juniors. Alongside these, we carry specialists such as Neutral, Mantis Kids and SF Minni for organic and eco positioning.

For club youth team orders, we recommend a uniform regular-fit kids' hoodie in club colour from 280 g/m² upwards – each child gets their name in addition to the club crest. The standard position for the crest is the left chest (about 8 to 10 cm) or as a large print on the back (up to 25 cm for kids' models due to the smaller back area). Names go on the upper back below the nape or on the right sleeve end, individually printable via flex or flock foil. Important: for nursery and pre-school orders, choose the drawcord-free models per EN 14682; for older youth from size 128 onwards, drawcord models are permitted. For orders up to 30 units, name personalisation can be requested directly from us – we then deliver personalised unit by unit. Allow for 5 to 10 per cent reserve per size for new joiners and growth.

Kids' hoodies tolerate machine washing at 30 to 40 degrees – models with a higher polyesterⁱ share (30%) are often also approved for 60 degrees, which is practical in nurseries and primary schools. Consistently avoid fabric softener, because it coats the fibre, reduces absorbency and clogs the inner fleeceⁱ – on sensitive children's skin it can also trigger contact reactions. Turn the hoodie inside out before washing so print, embroidery and outer colour are protected. Tumble dry only on explicitly dryer-suitable models; on 100% cottonⁱ organic models otherwise there's a risk of shrinkage and collar distortion. Pull the hood smoothly into shape and let it dry flat, otherwise the edge warps. Iron only inside out and at medium temperature, completely avoiding print areas. For nursery hoodies with frequent washing: wash the first time alone, so that dye release from club colours doesn't transfer to everyday laundry.

Yes, for two reasons. Firstly, organic cottonⁱ is perceptibly softer on sensitive children's skin because it is processed without aggressive chemistry - no formaldehyde, no pesticide residues, fewer contact reactions. Secondly, parents and kindergarten operators with a sustainability ambition now expect certified organic labelling, and its absence is an exclusion criterion at eco-kindergartens. The surcharge for organic cotton hoodies over standard 80/20 models is usually one to two Euros per piece and amortises quickly through parents' trust and tender eligibility. Brands such as Neutral (organic + Fairtrade + SA8000ⁱ) and Mantis Kids are the reference for all-round sustainable positioning, Just Hoods (JH201K) and Build Your Brand (BY185) offer affordable entry points with OCS or GOTS organicⁱ cottonⁱ. For primary school tenders and municipal kindergarten contracts, organic certificates are often even mandatory.

A true Kids hoodie is not a scaled-down adult model but specifically tailored to Kids proportions. Specifically: the neckline is deliberately widened so the hood slides over the head without pulling - adult necklines are often too tight for Kids heads. On sizes below 122 the drawstrings are designed drawstring-free (safety cord according to EN 14682), which adult models do not offer. The cuffs at sleeves and hem are narrower and more softly knitted, the kangaroo pouch is adapted to the Kids size - not half the back area as on the adult. The inner fleeceⁱ is more finely brushedⁱ because Kids skin reacts more sensitively, and the dyes are usually OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tested. Brands that actually develop Kids collections - Just Hoods, Build Your Brand, Fruit of the Loom, Mantis Kids, Neutral - take all of this into account. You recognise scaled-down adult models by the too-tight neckline and by missing safety information on EN 14682.