Does Your Child Really Need Sunscreen for School?

Back to school season is quickly approaching, and it’s time to stock up on essentials for your child. However, parents are asking one common question: does my child really need sunscreen for school? The short answer is YES! No matter what age or grade they’re heading into, consider the following when packing up backpacks for the first day of school. 

Recess

Every kid’s favorite part of the day– recess! With lunch in their stomach and a long day indoors, your child is ready to play outdoors. But stop to consider the harmful UV rays they will be exposed to on the playground. In the open air with direct sunlight, your child should wear sun protection before joining their friends. Consider packing a mist sunscreen that is quick to apply so that they don’t have to miss a single second of the action!

Gym Class & Outdoor Sports

When they change into their gym sneakers, make sure your child has an added step for sun protection if their class is headed outdoors. In the warmer months, it is common for PE classes to practice sports outdoors, or maybe they’re returning to an outdoor sport with daily practice. Whatever the case for your child’s exercise, make sure they add sunscreen to their gym bag/locker essentials. 

Field Trips

While travelling to a new place to expand education is a fun and exciting time for children, don’t forget to consider if the location will have prolonged exposure to sun. If it will, consider applying sunscreen to your child before they leave the house, and then pack it in their bag for the day to be reapplied as the day goes on. 

Walking Home

If your child walks home after school or if you live far from their bus stop, they may be exposed to the sun for a long period of time. Having sunscreen ready to go in their backpack will be helpful for them to apply before they head to the house. 

While sunscreen application can seem annoying to a child at any age, we must emphasize its importance to our young ones. Nationwide Children’s Hospital shares that sun protection is vital at every age to avoid skin damage, and that “children that get sunburnt are at a higher risk of getting skin cancer later in life.” They recommend that for babies over 6 months old, young children, and those with sensitive skin, mineral sunscreen is best. Cove Suncare’s products are all mineral SPF with other clean, plant-based ingredients that are safe for your child’s every day use. 

Are you finding it hard to get your child to wear their sunscreen? Most kids complain they don’t like the feeling of sunscreen, and that it can be greasy or feel heavy on their skin. Try out Mist Me; a lightweight formula that’s great for quick on-the-go coverage. With BOV (Bag-On-Valve) technology, Mist Me doesn’t use any harmful chemicals like propane or butane. This ultra fine mist is safe for you, your children, and the planet!