Summertime is synonymous with fun and games for kids, but the scorching sun can be a party pooper. It’s essential to keep your little ones safe while they make the most of their summer break.
Sun safety doesn’t have to be boring though. In fact, it can be a part of the fun!
As a parent, you can turn sun protection into exciting games and activities. Trust me, you’ll have your kids giggling while they learn about staying safe under the sun.
So buckle up as I present to you 7 delightful sun safety activities that your kids will fall in love with this summer. Let’s make sun safety a part of their favorite summer memories!
1) Sunscreen art
Let’s face it, getting kids to wear sunscreen can sometimes feel like a battle. But what if we could turn this necessary chore into a fun activity?
Introducing sunscreen art – an incredibly fun and creative way to ensure your kids are adequately protected from the sun.
The concept is simple. Instead of just slapping on sunscreen, encourage your kids to use it as paint. They can create designs or pictures on their bodies using different sunscreens. This is a great way to get your kids excited about sun protection.
Moreover, it’s not just about fun. This also presents a valuable opportunity to teach your kids about evenly applying sunscreen and ensuring all exposed skin is covered.
2) Role play with sun hats
This reminds me of a game I used to play with my own kids. I’d noticed that they usually forget to wear their sun hats during the hot summer days. So, I decided to turn it into a fun role-play activity.
I had a collection of various types of hats – baseball caps, wide-brimmed beach hats, cool bandanas, and even some fun character-themed hats. We would take turns picking a hat and then, here’s the fun part, we had to pretend to be a character that would wear that hat.
My son would often pick the pirate-themed bandana and start talking like Jack Sparrow. My daughter, on the other hand, loved the wide-brimmed beach hat and would pretend to be a movie star on vacation.
This silly game made them love wearing their sun hats and indirectly taught them about the importance of protecting their head and face from the sun. It’s amazing how a simple game can make sun safety so much fun!
3) Shade-building competition
Did you know that the sun’s UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.? That’s when we need to be extra cautious about sun protection.
A shade-building competition is a fantastic way to keep your kids out of the direct sun during these peak hours. Split them into teams and challenge them to build the most creative shade using items like towels, blankets, and umbrellas.
Not only is this activity a lot of fun, it also encourages teamwork and creativity. Plus, it provides a practical lesson in finding or creating shade when the sun is at its peak.
Now that’s what I call a win-win situation!
4) Sun-safe scavenger hunt
Who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned scavenger hunt? But how about adding a sun safety twist to it?
You can create a list of sun-safe items for your kids to find around the house or garden. The list could include things like sunglasses, sunscreen, long-sleeved shirts, a water bottle to stay hydrated, and so on.
The first one to find all the items wins!
This game provides a fun-filled afternoon and subtly educates your kids about the things they need for sun protection. It’s a clever way to make learning about sun safety exciting and enjoyable.
5) DIY sunburn alert bracelets
Craft activities are always a hit with kids, making them a perfect opportunity to incorporate some sun safety lessons.
You can help your kids create their own sunburn alert bracelets. These are bracelets made with UV beads that change color when exposed to sunlight. The stronger the UV radiation, the more vibrant the color change.
This activity gives your little ones a cool and unique accessory to wear and serves as a visual reminder for them to reapply sunscreen or seek shade.
So, gather your arts and crafts supplies and get ready for some creative fun while teaching your kids about the importance of sun safety!
6) Hydration station
I remember one hot summer day when I was so engrossed in playing that I didn’t realize I was getting dehydrated. The result – a nasty headache and an afternoon spent lying down instead of having fun.
This experience taught me the importance of staying hydrated, especially during the summer.
To make hydration fun for kids, set up a ‘hydration station’ at home. Fill it with colorful water bottles, fresh fruits for flavor, and even some homemade popsicles made with fruit juice. Encourage your kids to visit the station regularly to refill their water bottles or enjoy a refreshing treat.
This way, they’ll stay hydrated and learn about the need to drink plenty of fluids while spending time in the sun.
7) Sun safety posters
There’s something incredibly special about a child’s artwork. It’s raw, heartfelt and always tells a story.
Let your kids create their own sun safety posters. They can use colors, stickers, glitter – whatever they want – to bring their ideas to life.
The goal of this activity is to make a pretty poster while also to help children understand the message they’re conveying. It might be the importance of wearing a hat in the sun, staying hydrated, or why we need to reapply sunscreen.
Seeing their own artwork displayed will give children a sense of pride and accomplishment. Plus, it serves as a constant visual reminder of the sun safety rules they’ve learned.
This heartfelt activity combines creativity with learning, making it an enjoyable and valuable experience for your little ones.
Summing it up: Sun safety is a lifestyle
Underneath the laughter, the games, and the creativity, there’s a fundamental truth about sun safety. It’s not just a summertime concern, it’s a lifestyle.
The rays of the sun don’t discriminate between seasons. Yes, they might be stronger in the summer, but their potential to cause harm remains throughout the year.
By turning sun safety into fun activities, we’re doing more than just protecting our kids for a day at the beach. We’re instilling habits that will safeguard their health for a lifetime.
Whether it’s through sunscreen art, hydration games, or DIY sunburn alert bracelets, each activity carries with it a message of care and protection.
In the end, it’s about guiding our children towards a future where they respect the power of the sun and understand how to enjoy it safely. Because every ray of sunshine should bring joy, not harm.
