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If you camp or caravan with kids, you already know the rhythm:

Pack the van.
Hit the road.
Set up camp.
Spend 90% of daylight hours outside.

Which is why one piece of kit quietly carries your whole trip: a good long‑sleeve kids fishing shirt.

Not for trophy photos.
For real life; sun, salt, sand, creek swims, dusty tracks, and the mid‑arvo bite when everyone’s still running wild.

This guide is the straight‑shooting breakdown you’ve been looking for: what to buy, why it matters, and how to make your kids actually want to wear it. And yes, there’s a range we rate for caravanning families, more on that below.

Why Kids Fishing Shirts Matter (Even If You’re Not “Fishing”)

Let’s cut the fluff.

Australia’s UV is unforgiving. Your kids don’t sit still. And sunscreen alone is a losing game when you’re outdoors all day. UPF‑rated clothing gives you set‑and‑forget sun protection on the skin it covers, and UPF50+ is the top tier (“excellent”) because it blocks at least 98% of UV radiation. That’s the difference between reapplying every hour… and letting them roam while you breathe. 

Fishing shirts are simply smartly designed sun shirts: collared, long‑sleeved, quick‑dry, and built to take a beating. Perfect for rivers, beaches, hikes, bike laps around the park, or chasing the footy at sunset, not just rods and reels.

What to Look For

1) A real UPF rating (50 or 50+).
Look for the actual UPF number, not just “sunny vibes” branding. UPF50/50+ is “excellent” protection under the Aussie standard (AS 4399). If a shirt calls out 50+, you’re in the right zone. 

2) Coverage by design.
Long sleeves, a proper collar (flip it up), and a longer hem so it doesn’t ride up when they’re climbing or scootering. Remember: UPF only protects the skin it covers, you still need a hat, sunnies, and sunscreen on exposed areas. 

3) Lightweight, quick‑dry fabric.
Kids jump in. Kids get grubby. The shirt should dry fast, breathe well and rinse clean. Performance mesh/polyester blends nail this brief, so it’s back on body (and protecting) in minutes. 

4) Colours and prints they’ll choose themselves.
The best shirt is the shirt they actually wear. Fun designs make morning wrangling 10× easier, simple.

5) Built for the camp lifestyle.
Think sand, salt, mud, fruit ice blocks, camp chores. You want durable prints, hardy stitching and something you can cold‑wash, line‑dry and repeat.

Our Pick for Families: Mums Who Caravan & Camp – Kids Fishing Shirts (UPF50+)

We’ve been watching this brand through the camping‑mum community, and the brief they’ve nailed is exactly what caravan life needs:

• UPF50+ long‑sleeve protection
• Lightweight, breathable, quick‑dry performance mesh
• Water‑friendly, kids can hop in for a splash, then it dries fast
• Kid‑approved designs (so they wear them… without battles)
• Clear care + sizing info for real‑world use

Explore the range here: Kids Fishing Shirts – Mums Who Caravan & Camp. You’ll see favourites like Kids Coral Mermaid Life, Kids Ocean Mermaid Life, Kids Reef Keepin’ Cool and Kids Rapid Keepin’ Cool, all UPF50+ and built for Aussie conditions. 

A few details we rate (straight from their product pages & FAQs):

• UPF50+ fabric that’s lightweight and breathable (kids live in them on the road).
• Made for water, quick‑dry, suitable for salt and pool swims (rinse after).
• Care is easy: cold wash, inside out; line‑dry; designed for durability and colourfastness.
• Sizing: generally true to size; go up one if you want a looser “oversized” camp fit. 

Why we like this angle: it’s function‑first, but without the “fish slapped across the front” vibe that turns some kids off. The designs are bright, fun and easy to spot around camp, another underrated safety win. 

The “All‑Day Camper” Test (6 Jobs, 1 Shirt)

Morning pack‑down: cool breeze, hot sun. Collar up, sleeves down.
River hop: shirt goes in the water; quick‑dry means no complaints after.
Bike laps & playground scrambles: abrasion‑friendly, lightweight, no cling.
Beach arvo: sand sticks to sunscreen, not to the shirt. Rinse. Dry. Done.
Camp chores & cook‑up: long sleeves protect from splatter and evening mozzies.
Sunset stroll: still covered when UV is sneaky on wind‑blown afternoons.

A single kids fishing shirt handles the lot, and saves you the “have you re‑applied?” battle every hour. (Still sunscreen the face, hands, legs and any exposed skin.) 

Sizing That Works on the Road

• Start with “true to size.” For most kids, that’s the sweet spot for all‑day wear.
• Want room to grow or layer a rashie underneath? Size up one.
• Check the size chart (real garment measurements) and measure a favourite tee at home for quick comparison. 

Pro tip: Pack two shirts per child on longer trips. Rotate daily: one on body, one drying on the awning line.

Care: Keep It Simple, Keep It Strong

Caravan laundry reality check: no delicate cycles, no stress. These shirts are intentionally easy:

• Cold wash, inside‑out, line‑dry.
• Rinse after salt or chlorine.
• UPF is in the fabric (not sprayed on), so protection doesn’t “wash off” under normal care. 

Remember, UPF applies to covered skin; protection can reduce if fabric is stretched out or sopping wet, another reason the quick‑dry matters. Pair with a broad‑brim hat, sunnies, sunscreen and shade for the full 5‑S’s approach. 

What Makes a Shirt “Campalot‑Grade”?

We’re practical about gear. If it doesn’t earn its place in the van, it stays home. For kids fishing shirts, the keep‑or‑kick checklist is simple:

Must‑haves

• UPF50+ rating (excellent)
• Long sleeves + collar
• Quick‑dry, breathable fabric
• Durable stitching + colourfast prints
• Designs kids are excited to wear

Nice‑to‑haves

• Matching adult options for “Mum & Mini” moments
• Distinct colours (spot your kids easily around camp)
• Clear size guides and care FAQs

Deal‑breakers

• No stated UPF rating
• Heavy, clingy fabric that stays wet
• Scratchy seams or stiff collars

The Mums Who Caravan & Camp shirts tick the must‑haves without overcomplicating things. They feel made by people who actually live the caravan life (because they are). 

Quick FAQ (The Stuff Parents Ask Us)

Can my kid swim in a fishing shirt?
Yes. These are quick‑dry and made for the water, just rinse after salt or chlorine. 

Does UPF50+ wash out?
No, it’s part of the fabric structure (with normal care). Cold wash, line‑dry and you’re good. 

UPF vs SPF; which one matters?
Both. UPF measures how much UV a fabric blocks (clothing). SPF is for sunscreen on exposed skin. Together they’re your best bet under Aussie UV. UPF50+ clothing is “excellent” protection; Cancer Council recommends it, alongside a hat, sunnies, sunscreen and shade. 

The 30‑Second Pack List (Per Kid)

• 2 × UPF50+ kids fishing shirts (rotate daily)
• 1 × wide‑brim hat
• Polarised sunnies
• SPF50+ sunscreen (broad‑spectrum, water‑resistant)
• Lightweight shorts or swim leggings
• Camp towel + pegs for the quick‑dry line

(We still back sunscreen, just don’t rely on it alone for sun‑heavy days. Clothing is your first line.) 

Ready to Make Camp Life Easier?

If you want less nagging, fewer burns, more adventure, start with the piece your kids will live in: a proper UPF50+ kids fishing shirt.

➡️ Shop the range here: Kids Fishing Shirts – Mums Who Caravan & Camp
Pick your design, choose your size, and toss two in the van. Your future self (and your kids’ skin) will thank you.