Putting sunscreen on a toddler can feel like an epic battle–but it can be won with patience and a little creativity. It’s super important to slather your kiddo in SPF (and plenty of it!) before they head outside to play, so we’re sharing ideas to help get the job done.
Here are 6 tips for putting sunscreen on your toddler:
#1 You Go First.
Kids love to mimic their parents, so start any sunscreen session by applying your own first. Talk to them about what you're doing and why you're doing it. Then let them help you rub it in! Messy? Yes. Effective? Also yes.
#2 Play With It.
Have some fun with your SPF. Use your finger to draw shapes, numbers, letters, or animals on their skin before massaging it all in. Make it a game by having them guess what you’re drawing or writing.
#3 Try A New Tool.
Some kiddos (and adults) hate the feeling of sunscreen on their hands, so use a wide paintbrush, rubber spatula, cotton ball, or makeup applicator to spread it around. Just make sure to rub it in well! For an idea on how much sunscreen to use, check out this article.
#4 Distract Them.
Apply sunscreen while they’re strapped in the carseat and playing with a toy, or apply (and reapply) while they're drinking water or eating snacks. And maybe give them a little screen time if it means they’ll sit still long enough for you to get the job done!
#5 Let Them Be Picky.
Sunscreen comes in several different forms (manual spray, continuous spray, stick, and lotion), so keep all three handy and let your tot choose which one to use each time. Giving them agency *might* just make them a more willing participant!
#6 Keep Multiples On Hand.
For impromptu adventures outside (in any season!), don’t be caught without the sunscreen. Buy a few bottles at a time and keep it EVERYWHERE–the car, diaper bag, stroller, your back pocket!
Do you have a tried and true method for applying and reapplying sunscreen on your toddler? Please share! (And be sure to check out all of the great tips from our community in the comments below!)
I love the sunscreen face stick for my toddler! I have found the best way to put it on is letting her do it herself. She feels independent doing it and she learns the different body parts on her face by me pointing them out and asking her to put the sunscreen on. By helping in her own sunscreen application it’s a lot less of a battle!
just attack the wild toddlers with the spray! it’s the only way 😂
I mix a drop of their HB body lotion that we use post bath to mask the smell and loosen the consistency. They’re WAY more receptive when I take these steps.
It also helps that I have to use SPF 70 every day to not burn, so they see me use it and want to as well
I squeeze a big amount on my leg, dip my finger in it and cover my kids with sunscreen dots, then rub it in. This gives full coverage without turning you into a ghost. Pouring it on my leg means I no longer need to fight the bottle or keeping the kids still to get more out of the bottle. And my kid thinks I am turning her into a cheetah, her favorite animal lol.
I always set some times on my phone to remind me to reapply. Also using a makeup sponge or brush to apply it. Less messy!
All I can say as a parent it is hard to put on sunscreen ha! But I let my daughter “help” put hers on and I put mine on the same time .
I love using the stick sunscreen for faces! Then when the kids are super wiggly it doesn’t get right in their eyes! I also play games and ask where their arms and legs are. Being silly and calling the body parts the wrong names always has them giggling!
My best tip is to let the kids help! My daughter likes to rub her own sunscreen in.
My sunscreen hack is mentioned in tip #3 – we use a beauty blender (or makeup sponge) for the face. Works wonders! Soft for delicate skin, but also effective for rubbing it all in. Definitely makes sunblocking a little less stressful
I always let my toddler help me, open the lid, put little on his finger and spread it on his hands, I make fun putting a visible amount on my nose and cheeks.
We love either lotions or spray for sunscreens…if using spray, still rub it in or it may not be evenly dispersed!
Be sure to make sure you’re choosing the right sunscreen as some contain fragrance and other ingredients you may be sensitive to. Apply 15 minutes prior to exposure and reapply every hour or two. On the little babes I always make sure they’re wearing UV swimwear, a large hat and glasses.
I keep lotion and spray on hand. My daughter like to mimic what I do, so when putting sunscreen it becomes a mommy and me time. I tell her its part of taking care of our skin, self- care— though she thinks its part of my makeup routine and that her dad puts on makeup as well.
Sing a fun song with them while you apply! One that they know or make up your own sunscreen song!
I love the tip of applying sunscreen with a paintbrush. That’s a fun and successful one in our house!
PS- love how easily the hello bello sunscreens apply. Our fav!
Let them help with theirs and yours, it makes it fun for everyone. And done be scarf to get a little messy! :)
Buy a cheap makeup brush/sponge from the dollar store and use it to spread on little faces and cheeks/ears!
Ooooo as an ECE, this is right up my alley! A few tricks i have found that can help apply sunscreen for ages 2.5 and up: 1) have them hold your thumb while applying to arms! Helps keep little arms from flailing around so much! 2) for faces: put the sunscreen in your hands and dab it like face paint then use only your thumbs to spread it over. Keeps their line of sight mostly visible and gets on to their little noses easily!
It’s all about the science, Baby! We explain that the sun can burn our skin and we have to use sunscreen to protect it. As they age the explanation gets more complicated appropriate to their age level.
They’re happy to put sunscreen on and they’ve learned a lot about skincare and the sun over the years.
Set an alarm to remind yourself to reapply and also sing a song to make it more fun.
I like to distract them but if that doesn’t work… sneak attack! :)
Using a clean makeup sponge or makeup brush to apply your baby or toddler’s sunscreen is a lifesaver
Using a makeup brush to apply!
We make a game out of it. Rubbing it in and making jiggle noises. My 2 year old like to put lotion on herself so I give her a little to rub on her arms and legs the rego over it so we don’t miss a spot. Now if only I remember to get all of me so I don’t burn is another story.
I always put it on before the swimsuit for easier application! A toy that distracts them is also a must. Love the make up brush application idea!