Getting children to wear sunscreen can often feel like an uphill battle, especially when it triggers tantrums. However, with Melanoma Awareness Month approaching in May, experts stress the importance of making sun protection a positive habit. Children’s skin is far more delicate than adults’, with UV radiation penetrating more easily and causing deeper cellular damage. According to Dr Ross Perry, GP and medical director of Cosmedics, a significant proportion of lifetime sun damage occurs before age 18, and serious childhood sunburns can increase the risk of skin cancers like melanoma later in life.
Dr Tina Tian, consultant dermatologist at Stratum Dermatology Clinic Oxford, advises parents to check the UV index daily from March to October, as protection is needed whenever it rises above two. She recommends using weather apps or asking a smart speaker like Alexa for the local UV index. But convincing young children to apply sunscreen is a challenge, so experts have shared 11 practical hacks to make the process easier and more enjoyable.
One key strategy is to make sunscreen application a non-negotiable part of the daily routine, similar to brushing teeth. Letting children choose their own sunscreen—whether a roll-on, spray, or fun packaging—gives them a sense of control. To avoid stinging eyes, look for water-resistant, non-stinging formulations like P20. Turning the process into a game with songs or asking “what kind of face do you want me to paint?” can also help. Explaining the importance using age-appropriate language—such as describing sunscreen as an “invisible shield” for younger children—makes it more relatable.
Other hacks include making application reciprocal: let your child put sunscreen on you first. Allow plenty of time before leaving the house to avoid rushing and accidentally getting sunscreen in their eyes, which can cause lasting aversion. Drawing funny faces on the lid of the sunscreen bottle can engage children. Warming the cream in your hands before applying prevents the shock of cold lotion. Opting for lightweight, quick-absorbing formulas designed for sensitive or paediatric skin minimises the sticky texture many children dislike.
Finally, parental role modelling is crucial: children are far more likely to accept sunscreen if they see their parents applying it consistently themselves. As Dr Perry notes, this helps build lifelong habits that protect their skin for decades to come.
