Help kids build sunscreen habits

Are you ready for fall with your littles and plenty of sunscreen? Sometimes parents get caught up in the end-of-summer/back-to-school crush and forget that sunscreen is still an important daily habit even for children. Children in most parts of the US won’t be likely to suffer a sunburn in the fall, because the sun’s rays are beginning to wane in strength, but sun damage from UVA rays, which can cause deep damage, is strong all year round and even on cloudy days. That's why doctors recommend that everyone wear at least SPF 30 every day. A good look at your child's beautiful, healthy skin should provide the reminder you need to protect it year-round!

In the fall, outdoor sports like Cross Country, Soccer, Lacrosse and Football begin their seasons. Being outdoor sports, they all require sun protection. Children, especially the ones that are just beginning to play fall sports like soccer, need to build their sunscreen habits to protect their skin from damage now and well into the future.

The easiest way to put sun protection on a kindergartner who just wants to get out on the pitch and chase that soccer ball is to use our BOB KIDS SPF 30 Brush On Mineral Sunscreen. This sweat-resistant (80 minutes) sunscreen brushes on with a soft, fluffy purple brush, and will keep your child protected through a game or practice. Just apply generously and you won’t need to worry about it running into their eyes! If you child has light or very short hair, or a distinct part-line, don’t forget to blend some onto their head to avoid itchy, sun-irritated scalp, and also to absorb a little oil from the exertion.

Depending on the age of your children, you may need to apply the sunscreen for them, to insure adequate protection. But if your child is old enough to be trusted to apply their own (probably around age 6) then be sure to explain to them the need to buff the powder on their skin in circles, and to go over each area multiple times. You will also want to make sure that they understand the open/close mechanism so that powder is flowing when they apply. 

If you do live in an area of the country where sunburn is still likely even in fall, or if your family participates in winter snow sports, also consider our BOB KIDS SPF 40 Mineral Sun Balm. This handy little tin of balm is best applied with fingertips, because your body heat makes it smooth and easy to apply. Use this on those often-forgotten areas (right under sunglasses or goggles, tops of ears, back of neck, etc) to add moisture and sun protection. As a bonus, BOB KIDS Sun Balm also includes soothing ingredients that help calm skin irritation!

Don’t fight the battle anew every spring. Keep your child in the habit of protecting their skin from the sun all year-round, and next spring they will already know the drill…sunscreen when you head out the door, sunscreen when you’ve been outside for 2 hours, sunscreen when you towel off after a swim or wipe sweat from your face. Good habits stick best when you start them young, so protect that beautiful, youthful skin for your child. Their older selves will thank you!