Sun Safety: How to Keep Your Kids Sun-Safe During Recess

As parents, we want our kids to get the most out of their playtime during recess. But with the sun beaming down, it's important to ensure they are adequately protected. At Little Leaves Clothing Company, we understand the importance of sun safety and have some tips to help keep your kids safe while they enjoy their outdoor playtime. Read on for our top tips on how to keep your kids' sun safe during recess.

Why Sun Safety Is Important

As the summer months approach and schools transition back to in-person learning, parents must be aware of sun safety for their kids. Children can easily become overexposed to the sun's harmful rays with more time spent outdoors. Sunburns can be not only painful but also dangerous. That's why protecting your children while they play outside during recess is important. Here, we'll go over tips to keep your children safe and protected from the sun while at school.

The Importance of Sunscreen

It's no secret that the sun's rays can harm our skin. While it is important to get regular exposure to sunlight for Vitamin D, too much sun can cause sunburns, premature aging, and skin cancer. That's why protecting yourself and your family from the sun's UV rays is important. 

One of the most effective ways to protect yourself and your children from the sun is sunscreen. Sunscreen can block UVA and UVB rays, the two types of ultraviolet radiation that can damage your skin. It can also help to reduce the appearance of sunburns, wrinkles, and age spots. 

However, sunscreen is not a one-size-fits-all solution. There are different types of sunscreen that you should consider when choosing the best option for you and your family. The two main types of sunscreen are chemical and physical sunscreen. Chemical sunscreen works by absorbing UV rays and turning them into heat, while physical sunscreen works by reflecting UV rays off the skin. 

It would be best if you also considered the SPF of sunscreen. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and indicates how much protection a sunscreen will provide from UV rays. For example, an SPF 30 sunscreen would block 97% of UVB rays, while an SPF 50 sunscreen would block 98% of UVB rays. 

Using sunscreen is important in preventing sun damage and should be noticed.

The Best Time to Apply Sunscreen

When thinking of sun safety for kids, one of the most important things to consider is when to apply sunscreen. When your child is heading out for recess, the ideal time to apply sunscreen is about 30 minutes before they go outside. This gives the sunscreen time to absorb into the skin and form a barrier against the sun's harmful rays. 

It's also important to remember to reapply sunscreen throughout the day if your child is going to be outside for an extended period. Depending on your child's activity level, you may want to reapply sunscreen every two hours or after swimming or sweating heavily. Additionally, don't forget to cover any exposed areas with sunscreen, such as ears, face, arms, and legs. 

By following these tips, you can ensure that your child stays safe during recess.

The Difference Between Chemical and Physical Sunscreens

Regarding sun safety and protection, two of the most commonly used sunscreen types are chemical and physical. Both types of sunscreen offer protection from UVA and UVB rays but work differently. 

Chemical sunscreen creates a chemical reaction on the skin's surface that absorbs UV rays. It is important to note that chemical sunscreens must be applied 15–30 minutes before sun exposure to work properly. Additionally, some individuals may be sensitive to certain chemicals in chemical sunscreens, so it is important to be aware of your skin's reaction to these ingredients. 

Physical sunscreen, also known as mineral sunscreen, works by reflecting and scattering the UV rays away from the skin instead of absorbing them. Unlike chemical sunscreens, physical sunscreens can be applied immediately before heading outside. The main active ingredients in physical sunscreen are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These mineral particles form a barrier on the skin that reflects the sun's rays away from the body. Physical sunscreen is also often considered more natural and non-irritating than chemical sunscreens. 

It is important to consider both types of sunscreen when protecting your skin against the harmful effects of the sun. 

Choosing the Right SPF

When protecting your child from the sun during recess, one of the most important things you can do is choose the right SPF. SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, measures how much protection a sunscreen provides against UVB rays. A higher number means more protection.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using 30 or higher SPF outdoors. This is especially true if your child is fair-skinned, has sensitive skin, or will be spending extended periods in the sun. For those with darker skin tones, SPF 15 can be adequate, but they should still use a higher SPF if they plan to be outdoors for long periods.

When choosing an SPF for your child's recess, look for labels that list "broad spectrum" protection. Therefore, it indicates that the product protects against UVA and UVB rays. Make sure to read the label carefully to make sure you are getting the level of protection you need.

Also, consider reapplying sunscreen every two hours or after sweating and swimming, no matter what SPF you use. This is especially important if your child is playing outside for a long period. 

Finally, when buying sunscreen, make sure to buy products specifically designed for children. These products tend to be formulated for sensitive skin and are less likely to cause irritation or rashes. 

Protecting your child from the sun during recess is important, so choose the right SPF for their needs.

Reapplying Sunscreen

Sunscreen is essential for protecting your skin from the sun's harmful rays, and it needs to be reapplied regularly throughout the day to remain effective. While you may think it's only necessary to apply sunscreen when you first leave the house, experts recommend reapplying every two hours or even more frequently if your child is swimming or sweating.

When reapplying sunscreen, it's important to ensure your children are completely covered. It means ensuring that areas like the scalp, ears, neck and other body parts exposed to the sun are protected.

The best way to ensure that sunscreen is properly reapplied is to make it a routine part of your child's recess time. Before heading out to play, have them apply a great sunscreen. It can be done by themselves or with assistance from an adult. It's also a good idea to bring along a water-resistant sunscreen spray so your kids can easily top up protection if needed.

If you're having trouble getting your kids to reapply sunscreen, try incorporating fun activities into the process. You could buy them their spray bottle and let them do it themselves. Or, use a timer to remind them to reapply every hour.

Final Thoughts on Sun Safety 

It's important to remember that while sunscreen is an important tool in protecting your kids from the sun, it's not the only one. It's also important to dress your kids in protective clothing like Little Leaves Clothing Company's UPF 50+ fabrics that block 98% of harmful UV rays and help protect against sunburn. Keeping your kids safe from the sun should always be a top priority, and with the right sunscreen and clothing, you can be sure your kids are well-protected during recess.

Contact us to learn more!

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