We love the sun - and with shade, sunscreen and cooling sun hacks, long days on the beach can be the best thing for the soul. Read on and get 12 sun tips for kids that make trips to the beach or the pool a breeze.
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There is nothing lovelier than when the sun is shining and you can fill the day with outdoor activities with the kids. But it is important to keep the little ones well hydrated, cool them down and take good care of their skin when it is exposed to the sun's warm rays for longer periods at a time.
Children have thinner and more sensitive skin than adults and therefore burn more easily in the sun. Sunburn in childhood increases the risk of developing cell changes later in life. It is therefore good to start early with good sun habits.
We have gathered our best sun-smart hacks for kids, which we hope will inspire you to pack the cooler bag and enjoy the warmth of the sun with the whole family.
Apply sunscreen before you go to the beach
Once you hit the sand, the kids' happiness and enthusiasm for tumbling in the sand and running straight into the water can be difficult to stop for the sake of sunscreen. And the sand-and-sunscreen scenario is almost too much to handle. That is why it can be a good idea to apply the first layer of sunscreen before you head out the door. Let the sunscreen dry on the skin before getting dressed – it makes it easier to put clothes on and prevents most of the sunscreen from ending up on the clothes instead of on the skin, where it serves its purpose.
Set an SPF alarm
It can take a deep breath to get sunscreen on the little ones, but if you are going out in the sun, there is no way around it. Sunscreen needs to be applied many times during a day with cloudless skies, but with games and splashing in the water, time flies and reapplying can easily be forgotten. Set an alarm on your phone, so you know when it is time to apply sun protection to the kids and yourself again. Karmameju SUN perfume-free sunscreen uses a naturally derived mineral sun filter from zinc, which works immediately after application. Make sure to also cover exposed areas such as the tips of the ears, the feet and the neck.
Shade time = cosy time
Limit the number of hours in the sun. Perhaps go to the beach or the pool in the morning and again later in the afternoon, and take a siesta between 12 and 3 pm, when the sun is strongest. Eat lunch and take a nap in the shade, come up with cosy indoor activities or move into the shade of a tree with a puzzle or a book, so you take a break from the sun.
Create shelter from the sun
Make areas with shade where your child can stay. Make sure there is shade over the sandpit in the garden, and bring a beach umbrella or a shade tent to the beach that the kids can play under. Spread out a play mat in the shade of a tree or an umbrella for the very youngest babies, who should not be exposed to the sun.
Remember the hat
Keeping the children's sensitive skin protected from the sun is the first priority in the sun. Choose a hat with a wide brim that covers not only the child's head, but also the ears and neck. Sun hats with an SPF rating offer extra protection.
Cover the skin with clothes
Light, lightweight and airy clothes are a great way to protect children's skin from sunburn. This also applies in the water, where your child can easily swim and play in a light t-shirt. Alternatively, there is a large selection of UV swimwear that covers most of your child's body and protects against the sun.
Hydrating and cooling snacks
Hydrated skin and a hydrated body tolerate the sun better, but it can be a challenge to get enough fluids into the kids. Serve water-rich snacks such as watermelon, cucumber or halved grapes, which help maintain a good fluid balance. You can freeze the grapes the day before, so they can also help cool down warm bodies. It is also said that bananas can help retain moisture in the body and skin, and at the same time they are packed with nourishing energy for small, active bodies - an idea is to cut the banana in half, put a lolly stick in it, wrap it in baking paper and pop it in the freezer. Or simply keep it cool with the peel on in the cooler bag.
Water, water and more water!
Staying hydrated is important for a long day in the sun. It requires a big cooler bag and a few smart tricks. To bring as much cold water as possible, pack a reusable water bottle with plenty of ice for each family member. Throw a few extra frozen water bottles into the cooler bag, which can work as ice packs but can also refill the reusable bottles when they start to melt. You could also set an alarm on your phone for drinking water, so you and the kids do not become dehydrated.
Cool cloths in the cooler bag
While you pack the cooler bag, you can add a few damp washcloths in a plastic bag. They can be used to wash mouths and hands, but can also help cool down babies and children when needed.
Cooling water spray
Sometimes shade is not enough to keep babies or small children from getting too hot. Use a small spray bottle with a fine mist diffuser, e.g. an empty Karmameju face mist filled with ice water, to spray on the baby at regular intervals and when they look overheated.
Extra sun care
It is a good idea to use soothing and moisturising sun care in addition to the important UV protection, so the skin gets the best conditions to protect itself against the sun. Karmameju's PRE- & AFTER SUN helps strengthen the skin with extra antioxidants and extra moisture both before and after sun exposure.
If you would like to share your Karmameju SUN experiences, or if you have other great tips you want to share with us, use the hashtag #Karmameju on your Instagram pictures. We look forward to seeing postcards and pictures from your day in the sun.
- Mineral UV filters are recommended for children.
- Mineral UV filters are recommended for people with an allergy (sun eczema) to chemical filters.
- Dermatologically tested for sensitive skin to offer a safe choice for everyone in the family.
- Works immediately after application.
- UVA, UVB and HEV protection.
- Does not sting the eyes
- Mineral sun filter from zinc.
- Rich in organic, natural ingredients.
- Free from chemical and nano sun filters
SUN perfume-free is a perfume-free sunscreen for those who wish to use sunscreen without fragrance.
Even if you don’t use aromatherapeutic skincare or products for the home, nature still ensures that aromatherapy is all around us. Trees and plants release invisible plant compounds, phytoncides, which research links to lower stress levels and increased activity in the body’s natural defence cells. This is a beautiful account of forest bathing, nature’s aromatherapy and the scientific evidence behind it.
