Our kids are in the sun SO much! Living on Oahu and having all the kids on the swim team makes sun protection vital. Sunscreen application hasn’t been their favorite part of being such water babies but a necessity. I have learned a few tricks that have helped make it a bit more fun!
1. Allow them to use it like paint and make designs on themselves and each other’s faces and bodies. They will have a blast without even realizing they are protecting their skin. Use make sure you limit the amount so it doesn’t create a huge mess or cause waste.
2. Let them try different brands and scents and choose one they like. We have always loved Blue Lizard. I remember our dermatologist recommending it when I was a kid! SPF 50+ formula starts with Zinc Oxide to provide broad spectrum protection from 97% of the sun’s burning rays. Sensitive contains no skin-irritating chemical sunscreen ingredients, no parabens and no fragrances. It’s also reef safe water-resistant formula is made without Oxybenzone or Octinoxate. They love that it’s not greasy or too thick and I love that it works!
3. Get the whole family involved. I find that my kids are far more compliant when we are all doing it. I used to be guilty of putting sunscreen on the kids and neglecting to apply it on myself. Now that they are a little older it’s helpful to be able to let them apply it to themselves as I apply mine. If your kids are younger and need your help, try applying sunscreen to yourself first and then your baby. They will also get to see your great example 🙂
4. Try a stick for easy application and less mess. Our favorite is Blue Lizard’s mineral Baby Sunscreen Stick offers broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 50+ protection in an easy-to-carry and easy-to-apply formula. My freckle faced red headed Anya is by far the pickiest when it comes to sun block and she totally love this stick. This non-tinted solid sunscreen glides on easily, rubs in clear and dries smooth, not sticky. Made with aloe vera, shea butter, sunflower seed oil and vitamin E to naturally nourish skin while the mineral Zinc Oxide protects it from the sun.
100% vegan with no parabens, no fragrances and no chemical active ingredients — this sunscreen is ideal for kid’s delicate skin. It even gets the Anya stamp of approval!
5. Educate your kids! Knowledge really is power and just like adults kids want to know why they are being asked to do something. My kiddos have heard my lectures so often that they often remind me that sunscreen keeps your skin safe and keeps the sun from burning you. Although it may be easier to just apply it for them teaching them how to apply it themselves can empower and build a healthy habit.
