How to Get Children to Wear Sun Cream and other routines for safety in the heat

Kat Lord
5 days ago
2 min read

Getting children to wear sun cream can sometimes feel like a challenge and I should know, being a professional nanny for over a decade and working in schools and nurseries before that, but making it part of their daily routine can help.

Apply sun cream before leaving the house, just like brushing teeth or putting on shoes. I tag it on to their routine and we also check the weather daily. One week, we did a competition between Alexa and Siri to see who was more accurate. We also get to play games once our routines are done.

get dressed
eat breakfast while reading
check bags
teeth
suncream
play

Let children help to apply your sun cream, this makes it feel like something done with them rather than to them.

Remember that sun safety is about more than just sunscreen.

Before heading outdoors, make sure children have:

Sun cream applied and ready to reapply throughout the day
A sun hat and sunglasses
Lightweight clothing that covers their skin
A water bottle to stay hydrated

During hot weather, encourage regular drinks, take breaks in the shade, and avoid spending long periods in direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day. Plan calm time in their day such as reading a book.

By keeping sun protection simple, consistent, and positive, children can enjoy outdoor play while staying safe from harmful UV rays and the effects of heat.

Another routine I have added on the school run on really hot days is to take a bottle of ice. They can suck it, put it under their cap (a trick I learnt in the London Marathon on the hottest one on record) or apply it too their wrist, I don't know the science behind it but it makes you feel cooler, faster!

My top three ways to apply sun cream that actually work are:

ROLL ON