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Sun Protection for Littles

In summertime, as parents we’re caught on the horns of a dilemma. Some of our favorite memories of childhood are of long summer days filled with fun, free time and daily visits to the pool or the beach, and we want the same for our kids. But we also know that the summer sun can harm young skin and eyes. So how do we find a balance between happy summer memories and keeping our children safe? It’s easier than we may think. As adults we know to use sunscreen and wear sunglasses, sun hats and sun protection clothing. Fortunately, all of these items are also available for children, even young children. So we can protect them while they have fun in the sun.

Perhaps the most basic item in our family sun protection kit is sunscreen. Thinkbaby Sunscreen is made for children’s sensitive skin. It can be used by children six months or older and is also used by adults whose skin remains sensitive. We know using sunscreen is important, and if we want it to work, we also need to follow the instructions. Thinkbaby recommends reapplying after 80 minutes of swimming or sweating, otherwise we should reapply every two hours. It spreads easily on the skin and if you’re at the beach, there are no known ingredients that can cause damage to reefs.

Among the best ideas we’ve seen for young children are sunglasses that comfortably strap on a young child’s head. Ki ET LA Kids Sunglasses protect those precious eyes using polycarbonate lenses with an anti-UVA, UVB, and UVC filter that also reduces glare. Our kids’ hands are free to play, make sand castles or explore in the creek without worrying about the sunglasses falling off or being left behind. They come in several sizes: 12 to 30 months, 2 to 4 years, and 4 to 6 years. With the bright, bright sun here in Texas, protecting our children’s eyes can’t begin too soon.

Sun hats come in many shapes and sizes, just like kids. At Whole Earth we have caps and trucker hats, cowboy-style straw hats, wide brim cloth styles and bucket hats for children. A shady brim adds extra protection for the eyes and many hats come with drawcords to help keep the hat firmly in place on breezy days. The Sunday Afternoons Kids Fun Bucket Hat also has the advantage that it floats for easy retrieval if it falls in the water. And it has a UPF 50+ rating and packs flat in a bag. The bucket hat is available in baby, child and youth sizes. 

We can thank surfers for rashguards. They needed protection for the long hours spent in full sun on their quest for the perfect wave. Cotton t-shirts were too heavy and hampered movement when wet, so a clever designer replaced cotton with a nylon/spandex blend and the rashguard was born. We have rashguard swim combos for boys and girls. The Hatley Boys Rambunctious Reptiles Long Sleeve Rashguard offers lightweight sun protection (UPF 50+!) that dries quickly when wet. With its superior flexibility, it’s ready for just about any outdoor activity.

So there you have it. We can protect our kids just as we protect ourselves in summer with sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hats, and sun protection clothing. By starting early we can defend their eyes and skin from sun damage, and we can help our kids develop a sun protection habit that will keep them safe in the years to come.