5 Ways to Talk to Kids About Sun Protection
Getting the entire family ready for an outdoor outing is already a feat on its own as you need to make sure everyone gets dressed appropriately, you have to pack the car, you have to make sure to bring snacks, and the list goes on and on. And although it's important to ensure all those things are packed for your outdoor family excursion, do be sure to remember sun safety tips too!
Today, UV Skinz goes over 5 simple ways to explain how to stay safe from the sun's UV rays to kids.
1. Use Kid-Friendly Analogies When Speaking About Sun Safety
Be sure to use kid-friendly and playful sunscreen analogies when discussing sunscreen with your kids. Remember, we can't see sunscreen once it's applied, which can be confusing for children to understand. Try comparing sunscreen to a shield. Or, make it an analogy to using toothpaste or washing our hands— both are actions that protect our bodies, even though we can’t see cavities forming or germs propagating.
2. Give Them a Sunscreen Challenge
Make sun safety fun by playing games with them, like doing a sunscreen challenge. Can they identify the SPF number on the sunscreen bottle?
You might explain to older children that SPF (sun protection factor) measures how much sun exposure it takes until they experience a sunburn.
Can they make a prediction on how long until they need to reapply during this outing?
Sun exposure differs in each situation. The time between sunscreen re-applications will vary depending on cloud coverage, the amount of shade available, and what time of day it is. Get them involved and help them learn about sunscreen and its importance.
3. Keep Sun Safety Tips in Context
Instead of diving into the long-term impacts of sun damage, talk about what your next trip entails. Are you going on a hike? If so, discuss the available tree coverage, and that you'll be there during lunchtime. Paint a clear picture of how the sun will interact with your day.
4. Keep Sun Safety Tips for Kids Light
Don't be an alarmist about the dangers of sunburns, skin cancer, and premature aging as that could scare kids. Aside from sunburns, younger kids may not be able to understand how those concerns will impact them.
In contrast, pre-teens and teenagers will start to understand the concept of skin aging and skin cancer. Consider a mindful discourse on the connection between the sun, skin cancers, and aging.
5. Check out UV Skinz's Kid's Sun Safety Activities
Be sure to check out our kid's sun safety activities, which include the following:
- Sun safety tips word puzzle
- UPF swim shirt coloring pages
- Maze sheet
- Coloring sheet to find sun-protective items
