Outdoor Fun with Kids: 4 Sun Protection Tips for Parents

Summer is an excellent time for the kids and the family to enjoy the outdoors. However, too much sun isn’t fun for our health either. According to studies on sun safety, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers make up the most significant proportion of new cancer diagnoses every year. Fortunately, the prevalence of skin cancer can be reduced mainly if preventative behaviors are practiced at an early age. This is especially important as children are at an increased risk of excessive ultraviolet radiation exposure; about 23% of a person’s lifetime sun exposure happens by age 18.

That being said, we can practice many protective habits early in their childhood and use essential products that can help us protect kids and the family from the harmful effects of sun exposure. In this post, we’ll look at four sun protection tips for parents:

Wearing sunglasses

Sunglasses are a must-have for a day out in the sun. Not only can they make everyone look good in pictures, but they’re also crucial for eye protection. While brands today offer sunglasses designed for kids, younger children may make a fuss about keeping the shades on. Since kids generally follow their parents’ leads, wearing your own sunglasses will also encourage them to do the same. Fathers can look into sunglasses for men to find matching colors or lens shapes. You can opt for models like the Sun Kyoto for playful colors that fit the summer or stick to the timeless shapes created by Ray-Ban. On the other hand, moms have a wide range of options from different designers that come in bright colors and patterns — which kids would love to match with. Depending on your summer plans, parents can opt for photochromic transition lenses that darken when you’re outdoors and look clear when indoors or in dim lighting, so you don’t have to pack two sets of eyewear.

Wearing UPF clothing

In addition to wearing sunglasses to protect you and your family’s eyes from harmful UV rays, it’s also best to invest in some sun-protective clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible. Sun-protective clothing like Coolibar protects your skin from the sun during outdoor activities. Coolibar specializes in UPF 50+ sun protective apparel and accessories for a sun-smart outdoor life. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, a long-sleeved denim shirt provides an SPF of about 1,700, while a white t-shirt provides an SPF of about 7. If you want to be sure, always look for an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) number on the label of your clothing.

Avoiding mid-day sun

Aside from wearing protective gear and accessories, it’s also important to time your outdoor activities so your kids and family aren’t exposed to the mid-day sun. The National Cancer Institute advises limiting sun exposure, especially between mid-morning and late afternoon. This is because people of all ages and skin tones are at risk of developing sunspots, skin discoloration, early signs of aging, and skin cancer from prolonged sun exposure. Avoiding prolonged sun exposure is just as important as using sunscreen. Experts warn against the false sense of security from a high SPF sunscreen and insist that sunscreen be reapplied frequently — at least every two hours.

Scheduling downtime

Finally, being sun-smart about your time outdoors doesn’t mean you and your family have to miss out on summer fun. Regular sunlight can still benefit your health by providing you and your family with vitamin D, but too much poses the risk of developing severe skin conditions. Keeping a balance between healthy outdoor activities to keep everyone fit and scheduling some downtime in between is crucial for protecting everyone’s health. In our previous post on planning for family summer fun, we emphasized the importance of taking breaks so the family can rest and recharge. These breaks are a great time for relaxing activities under the shade, such as reading, playing board games, or watching a movie as a family, so the fun doesn’t have to stop.