How to Apply Sunscreen to Your Child Without a Fight
Summer is just around the corner, which means playgrounds, cycling, pool time, beach trips and a host of related nagging about sunscreen. It’s unlikely that your kids will ever enjoy being smeared over – after all, it delays their fun. But if you have a plan, you can make the whole process more bearable for everyone.
Get them when they can’t escape
One of the best times to lather your toddler is when he is strapped to a car seat or stroller. They can wriggle and complain as much as they want, but they will not succeed. As an added bonus, applying sunscreen before heading to your destination will give it a little more time to soak into your skin before they get out in the sun.
Take a countdown
Especially when you put lotion on your face, the kids really want to know when the torture is over. Ask them to count with you (or up) from 15 so they can feel the progress. You can also choose your favorite song, which you can sing together once or twice while wearing sunscreen; once the song is over, they are ready for the sunshine.
Use a large makeup brush
Tiktokker @ maddiecastellano uses a large makeup brush to easily and evenly apply the sunscreen to her little one’s face. This can be a particularly good method for children who like the sensory sensation of brushing against their skin, and then brushing sunscreen on their hands or feet one at a time.
Make a game out of it
A parent told Parents.com that silly faces are the key to her daughter’s success : “I’m asking my daughter to draw a blowfish face ,” says Layla Gleeson. “It usually keeps her entertained long enough for me to apply and smooth the sunscreen.”
That’s not bad, but I’m going to go even further: tell them that you will “burst” the blowfish cheeks when you’re done (squeezing them gently); imagine their expectation.
Let them help
Kids hate sunscreen, but they love being helpful, so try to find a way to involve them in the process. Several members of our parenting group Offspring Facebook have found “help” methods that work with their children. “I always let them do their hands or stomach, and I do the rest,” says Melissa. “Then I redo what they did to provide proper lighting. But it makes them sit still and they feel helpful and involved. “
Likewise, Nikki uses what I will now call the dot method: “I put dots on my daughter and then let her rub them in. She is sunscreen neutral, but is very fond of painting and painting on herself and it scratches. this itch I suppose.
Make it part of your routine.
Team member Lauren says she has made applying sunscreen part of an overall “getting ready to go outside” process.
“Everyone has to put on sunscreen before we play outside, so this is no more serious argument than wearing shoes (which never means with babies, but you get the idea),” says Lauren. “When they say, ‘But I don’t want to …”, I cheerfully answer: “Oh! Then I guess we won’t play outside because we need sunscreen to play outside. Bummer! I really wanted to play outside. ” I’m sure the day will come when the real confrontation will begin, but so far my 3.5-1.5-year-old children are surprisingly amenable to this logic. “
You should also plan to reapply during natural breaks in play, such as snacking, dining, or going to the bathroom. That way, you won’t distract them from their fun, and the sunscreen will have a few extra minutes to soak in before they’re in the sun again.
This post was originally published in 2019. It was updated on May 10, 2021 with additional tips and the current Lifehacker style.