We’re willing to bet that you used to have a parent who chased you around with a tube of sunscreen. Tell us we’re wrong. We’re ALSO willing to bet that at some point halfway through your 20’s you held your breath during a dermatologist examination, hoping that all the freckles and moles on your back and shoulders checked out as “normal”. It makes our heart rate pick up a bit just remembering our last dermatologist exam! If your kids are anything like ours, when the sun is shining, they just want to be outside playing. Here are a few tips for helping your children stay “sun safe” on your next adventure.

Melanoma has been associated with severe sunburns before the age of 20. Skin care and sun protection needs to start early with our children.

Sunscreen: Apply Generously and Reapply Often

The American Dermatology Association suggests that all kids wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 when they are outside. How religious are you about applying and reapplying sunscreen throughout the day? Having a tube of sunscreen stashed in your car and hiking pack will go a long way in helping you reapply sunscreen throughout the day on a long adventure. When shopping for sunscreen, look for ones that are reef safe, and are made specifically for kids.

Cover Up to Cool Down

We know this sounds counterintuitive- especially when you have to explain to your 7 year old why they need to wear a long sleeved rashguard on a hot day at the beach. Keeping the skin cool and protected helps lower core temperature, which is important on a hot day of physical activity. Finding shirts that have UPF protection is an extra defense for little ones, especially on a long adventure outside. One of our favorite summer hiking shirts is made from Xylitol, a material from trees that actually cools the body on a hot summer day. Each of these shirts are fast drying, have UPF protection, and are made with recycled materials at high sustainability standards.

WildKind Club Members: this is a perfect opportunity to use your Reima discount code to snag these shirts at a great price.

Have it Made in the Shade

It’s important to provide shade for your little ones, whether they have a wide brimmed hat, a hiking pack with a sunshade, or an umbrella at the beach. Remember, infants are especially sensitive to sun exposure. We love a cool, UVP shirt and pants for infants, coupled with a wide brimmed hat. On summer days, try to plan hikes that are shaded, or make sure you have a way to keep your littlest hikers out of the direct sun.

Interested in a complete breakdown of our very favorite sunshades for infant/hiking backpacks? Checkout our full comparison of different child carriers on the market. Spoiler alert, some sunshades are MUCH better than others.

Sunglasses are ALWAYS Cool

We know, we know: sometimes getting your toddler to keep sunglasses on during a hike feels like wrestling with an octopus. But trust the experts: just one day of extreme sun exposure can lead to a burned cornea. No fun! When shopping for sunglasses for your little ones, make sure they provide 100% UV protection. Julbo makes a great pair of infant sunglasses that seem to fit most infant faces well. Have a stubborn toddler or a child who refuses to wear a pair? Bring them shopping with you, and let them pick out the wackiest, coolest, most raddest frames they can find. Get them involved in thinking about how they can protect themselves.

When Do I Need To Worry About Sun Protection?

The short answer to this question? You pretty much always need to be on alert for sun protection for sensitive skin and little ones. Remember, UV rays reflect off of water and snow. Even an overcast day at the lake, or a winter afternoon hike can have damaging effects on skin and eyes. It’s a safe bet to always have a tube of sunscreen in your glove box or hiking pack, and to get your little ones in the habit of wearing sunglasses from an early age.

Remember, you are your child’s best defense when it comes to sun protection. We hate to tell our mother’s that they told us so… but as we chase our little ones around to reapply a little more sunscreen to the tops of their ears we can’t help but thank our moms.