It’s a lovely day on the beach! You and your little one have arrived, set up your towels and parasol, and are ready to have fun. But then you mention putting sunscreen on. All of the sudden, the whole mood changes. Your toddler is screaming when you apply it, frantically trying to do anything to get away from the sunscreen.

Thoughts start running through your mind - What is happening? Why is my toddler having this reaction? How can I make this easier for both me and my little one?

Why is sunscreen important?

Like seatbelts, sunscreen is not optional. Sunburns that children receive when they are little can turn into long-term health problems when they get older. In any case, sunburn is harmful and painful by itself. So, whether they like it or not, you must put sunscreen on your child.

But don’t worry, this can be a common issue that a lot of parents experience. We have plenty of tips and strategies to make the beach and summer a smoother experience!

How can I make it easier to put sunscreen on my child?

Here are the best solutions to help put sunscreen on your little one:

If your toddler seems to be in physical pain when you apply sunscreen, there might be some truth to it. Some children have very sensitive skin, so some sunscreen brands might actually be hurting them. Choose a hypoallergenic waterproof sunscreen of at least 30 SPF specifically designed for children. Hypoallergenic means that no artificial scent is added, so it shouldn’t irritate their skin. 30 SPF should be safe for children. When in doubt, make sure the sunscreen is branded as child-safe.

Let them put it on themselves, with you helping provide them with full coverage. Turn it into a game! Can they put it on their feet? Their nose? Behind their ears? This process may take longer, but you won’t be dealing with a squirming child, and the day won’t get off to a bad start!

You can also invite them to put some sunscreen on you. Modelling how to put sunscreen on can show the child how they’re meant to behave. Plus, it gives you some valuable bonding time with your little one.

We also have some tips about sunscreen in general:

Make sure you’re applying sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors. Then, you should apply it every 2 hours and after they’ve been swimming, even if the sunscreen says it’s waterproof.

Don’t forget to make sure you’re using enough and applying it everywhere. Don’t forget to apply it to the back of the knees and hands, ears, neck, and the tops of feet.

Even if you’ve managed to get them to wear sunscreen, make sure they’re wearing a hat and T-shirt when they’re not swimming. Also, make that they’re drinking plenty of water.

SPF 30 lip balm can protect lips, as they can burn in the sun as well!

Sunscreen can be ridiculously expensive, so try to grab some whenever it’s on offer. Better yet, buy it in winter, as it will certainly be cheaper then.

How can I put sunscreen on my toddler if they don’t like it?

Unii shares how to get that essential SPF on a struggling toddler.