In an age dominated by screens and digital distractions, fostering a love for nature in our children is more important than ever. Of course, encouraging our children to embrace the outdoors means embracing a little messiness along the way. Whether it’s soil-stained hands from planting seeds or muddy clothes after an afternoon of pond dipping, these remnants of outdoor adventures are a testament to the richness of childhood experiences.
While playing in the dirt does house the danger of bacteria, it’s nothing that can’t be remedied by a warm bath and a bit of soap. Similarly, instilling the importance of sun protection in our kids while they revel in the outdoors doesn’t have to be difficult. The sun’s rays, if not respected, can leave lasting damage on unprotected skin. By imparting sun-safe habits early on, we equip our children with the knowledge and tools to enjoy the outdoors safely.
Lead by example with sunscreen
As of 2023, a bottle of sunscreen has increased in cost by 5%. This has caused 10% of the UK population to abstain from its use due to cost concerns, according to Melanoma Focus’ survey. However, sunscreen usage should be treated as a necessity, especially as melanoma skin cancer rates continue to rise.
To encourage its usage among children, it’s critical to incorporate sunscreen application into your own daily routine. Children often mimic the behaviours of adults, making it crucial for parents to lead by example when it comes to sun protection. You can opt for cheaper supermarket own-brand sunscreen like Asda’s Protect Refreshing Clear Sun Spray, which consumer group Which? found just as effective as premium products. Afterwards, allow your child to independently slather sunscreen on their body while educating them on the importance of consistent reapplication.
Embrace sun-protective clothing
To make sun protection easier and more accessible to children, stock their wardrobes with sun-protective kids’ wear. The fabric of UPF apparel possesses a UPF 50 rating, meaning that it blocks 98% of the sun’s UV rays. Meanwhile, regular T-shirts allow 20% of UV rays to pass through.
Significant brands to choose from already include Claudent, Cabana Life, and Solbari, but parents can expect many more options as the market for UPF clothing is growing. You can consider turning the whole endeavour into a shopping adventure and teach your kids about the different fabrics and how to find the perfect sun-safe outfit for outdoor activities.
Make sun safety fashionable
Sun protection doesn’t have to be dull or boring — it can also be stylish and fun! Encourage the usage of sun-protective accessories down to the details by letting your children select their favourite sunglasses styles. With countless designs of sunglasses available for both parents and children, from the Oakley Sphaera to Ray-Ban Wayfarers and even luxury brands like Dolce & Gabbana including kids’ options, you can easily encourage your children to express their personalities while staying safe in the sun. Show them how to pair their chosen shades with their outfits, creating fashionable ensembles for outdoor adventures.
You can also consider hosting a dress-up day where everyone wears their sunglasses and strikes a pose for fun family photos. This transforms sun safety into a parent-child activity, memory, and lesson that they will remember for years to come.
Educate through interactive activities
Educating children about sun protection can be made engaging through interactive activities. For starters, you can explain how sun damage works in simpler terms. Here, consider leveraging websites like HowStuffWork, which discusses the sun by dissecting its parts and atmosphere in child-friendly language. This helps simplify complex concepts and foster a deeper understanding of sun safety among young and curious learners.
Afterwards, hands-on learning projects, such as creating sun-sensitive crafts or conducting simple experiments, can further reinforce key concepts. For example, using UV-sensitive beads that change colour in sunlight can illustrate the invisible dangers of UV radiation in a tangible way, sparking interest and facilitating meaningful discussions about sun protection.
By incorporating these strategies into your parenting approach, you can ensure your children’s safe and enjoyable time outdoors.
Collaborative post by Bethany Abbott