sturdy umbrellas for kids?

Can anyone recommend a brand of umbrella that will last more than 5
minutes? We've gone through several this winter and they are pretty
much all awful.

I'd like the "kid" style with round covers on the ends so they don't
poke people's eyes out, but that and "sturdy" are the only
requirements.

xkatx...

We're not a big umbrella family - more of toss on rain boots and rain coats
and splash about - but I did pick up a child's umbrella from Ikea here a
while back and it's lasted for about 2 years now... Mind you, rain coats and
boots are what we pull out more than the umbrella, but I have used this
umbrella to go to the store if it's been raining, and it's lasted... As
silly as I looked with a big child's umbrella that looks like a blue monster
with big eyes and horns, it has stood up through wind and rain. It does
have the plastic tips (a MUST if kids are walking around me or anyone else,
or even themselves) as it's not funny to end up with an umbrella wire shoved
through your eye or other misc. body area ;) Don't know if you have an
Ikea in your area, but it was decently priced, I found.

postfromjan...

We do have one -- I'll take a look!

My kids don't use their umbrellas a lot either, but they like to carry
them around -- and bump them on the ground, and float them in
puddles....

The floating down gutters has been particular damaging to the
umbrellas. :)

Knit Chic...

Honestly, we have given up on umbrellas altogether. A nice rain coat
provides better rain protection and my kids can't use them to hit each other
with. lol
Even I don't use an umbrella anymore. My hands are usually busy trying to
keep my ducks in a row.
Raincoats from Lands End are the best I have found. They are a few bucks
more but worth it. My older daughter is going on year 3 w/ her coat and
when she is finished my younger daughter will use it. Still looks like new.
Buy a size larger, the sleeves are cute rolled up :)