This post is sponsored by Bayer. To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label.

Summer can be a blast but there are little things, especially for parents, that can make it a dreaded time. Not only can kids get grumpy with the heat but so can we as parents! That’s why, when it comes to sun safety, it can feel like birthing a cow to keep our own sun safety in line, much less our children’s sun safety. Plus, it doesn’t help that some sunscreen brands can burn if there’s already a little sunburn in place or if it gets in the eyes. This can really stink for an adult but if you’re a parent and this happens to your child, here comes the screams.

Living on a farm with a few kids trailing behind me during the summer makes sunscreen part of our routine. Through my background in summer camp, I’ve discovered a few tips and tricks on how to make the process a little easier. There’s a total art to it I’m still perfecting, even with my 6 year old. Here are a few methods that help make suncreen time fun and keep the kids from burns.

Use a Song

Creating a sunscreen anthem helps get kids in the mood to put sunscreen on. When it’s time for sunscreen, it can be a delicate moment and turn sour fast. I don’t think any of us truly appreciate putting on sunscreen. Try using one of their favourite songs or make up your own and make it a special moment instead of a dreaded one. This is one of my favorite ways to get the sunscreen stage of the day (which happens multiple times in a day).

Use a Higher SPF

If your child hates sunscreen as much as some of mine do, using a high SPF will allow you to skip putting it on so much. The higher the SPF, the less you have to apply it during the day. Who wants to relive a tempter tantrum more than they have to?

Apply it With Them

Sometimes being the role model and applying sunscreen first will get a child in a bit better mode of acceptance. However, I have also found that letting them apply their own at the same time you’re applying yours works wonders as well. Try applying sunscreen to the same body part as them. Let them even choose the next body part and try to make it special when it comes to silly body parts like the ears and toes.

Choose the Spray On

One of my favourite creations on earth, for summer, is the spray on sunscreen. It makes life so much easier, at least for me. If they’re being super grumpy I can catch them, spray it on, and be out of there before they know what happened. Seconds instead of minutes…it’s genius. 

We like Coppertone Kids Continous Spray SPF 60. It is a non-irritating, hypoallergenic sunscreen lotion that provides broad UVA/UVB spectrum protection.

Turn it Into a Game

Whip out the timer and play “A Minute to Win It” and time the kids to see who can get it on in a minute or less. Got kids who are less competitive? Try turning them into their favourite super hero or character and ask what they would their hero would say putting on sun screen. A little drama will help the entire situation.

Wear More Coverage

Sometimes just having a kid cover up some more exposed skin can make a huge difference in daily sun safety. There are swim clothes and summer clothes made that have long sleeves or at least longer sleeves to cover up more of a child’s skin without adding to the heat. Let’s face it, who wants to be wearing more clothes in the summer? Nobody does, however, that’s why the clothes are designed as they are. They can come in quite handy, especially if a child has already gotten burnt and you don’t want to keep them from playing but you also don’t want them to be getting a step closer to skin cancer this earl on in life. Putting on some sunscreen under the clothes would still be a smart move since the sun has a tendency to sneak through clothes and burn anyways.

Drink That Water

Putting on sunscreen isn’t the only task that can be difficult. Getting kids to stop playing or to stop whatever they’re doing to stay hydrated can be difficult as well. The biggest part to sun safety is staying hydrated in whatever way possible. Just playing in water won’t keep a child hydrated. Be sure your child is consuming liquid consistently throughout the day. One of my favorite ways of doing this is using the hose instead of cups. Of course, you don’t have to do this but making it fun makes all the difference. Let them drink out of the hose, use silly looking cups, use silly looking straws, give your water break time a fun name and let them cheer it. There are plenty of ways to make this one fun and a breeze.

Keep Them Cooled Off

Kids aren’t always the best at knowing when they’re taking things too far. If your child has been playing out in the sun all day, be sure they’re taking time to let their body cool off. Adding this into the water break time would be useful so you don’t have to interrupt them too many more times in the day. Popsicles work great for this. Check here https://currysupply.com. It’s a snack for the kids, they’re cooling off, and they’re getting some more liquid down. It’s a win/win for everyone.

Talk to Them

Sometimes, the best way to get a child on board is to be honest with them and talk to them like a normal human being. Letting them know how important sun safety is could possibly lead to them being much more understanding and passing that understanding on to more children they’re around. It’s not easy telling our kids the harsh truths of why we do what we do, but if it comes down to it, shooting straight with them often is the best way to get them to cooperate. Just like adults, kids like to know why they’re forced to do something they hate or don’t enjoy.

Do you have any great tips when it comes to sun safety with your children?

This post is sponsored by Bayer. To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label.