Sunscreen for Young Children: Enjoying the Sunshine Safely at Fun Box ☀️🧴
- Orsolya Majoros
- 8 hours ago
- 3 min read
(3 minute read)
A sunny week full of outdoor learning 🌼🌱
We have truly embraced the lovely weather this week at Fun Box Day Nursery, spending lots of time outdoors enjoying the sunshine ☀️ The children have been busy checking on our plants in the garden 🌱; exploring water play💧, and discovering new ways to move and balance with our giant cone – a fantastic resource supporting their spatial awareness and vestibular development.
Our little ones had a great time joining the older children in the garden, playing with water and sand, building friendships and learning from one another 🏖️, before hurrying along in our new Little Tykes dino cars 🦖.
Meanwhile, our preschoolers explored mark-making in coloured sand, carefully tracing and beginning to write their names ✏️ – a lovely way to combine creativity with early literacy skills.
With all this outdoor fun, it also brings us to an important topic for this time of year… 🌞
Why sunscreen for young children is so important 🧴☀️
As the days become warmer and sunnier, protecting children’s delicate skin becomes essential. Young children’s skin is thinner and more sensitive than adult skin, meaning it can burn more easily and is more vulnerable to long-term damage caused by UV rays.
Guidance from the NHS highlights that sunburn significantly increases the risk of skin damage later in life, especially when it happens during childhood. You can read more here:
Early years experts also emphasise that good sun safety habits should be part of daily routines in nurseries. Both NDNA and Nursery World highlight the importance of regular sunscreen application, appropriate clothing, and limiting direct sun exposure during peak hours:
Additional practical advice for nurseries can also be found here:
It is also important to note that all children need sun protection, regardless of their skin tone. While darker skin has more natural protection, it is still vulnerable to sun damage and requires sunscreen and appropriate care 🌍💛
When choosing sunscreen for young children, it is helpful to understand how labels work. In the UK, the SPF (Sun Protection Factor) shows protection against UVB rays (which cause sunburn), and experts recommend using at least SPF 30, or ideally SPF 50+ for children . Alongside this, you will see a star rating (up to 5 stars), which indicates the level of UVA protection—the higher the stars, the better the long-term skin protection . Health guidance generally advises choosing products with 4 or 5 stars and a “UVA” symbol in a circle, meaning they meet EU standards . It is also important for parents to be aware that sunscreen alone is not enough—shade and protective clothing are essential too, and even water-resistant or “once-a-day” claims still require regular reapplication . Finally, while some sunscreens may differ in price or texture, guidance consistently highlights that the best sunscreen is one that is applied generously and regularly, as many people unintentionally use too little to achieve the stated protection .
How we support sun safety at Fun Box 🏡☀️
At Fun Box, we take a proactive and consistent approach to sun safety so that children can enjoy the outdoors safely and comfortably.
Before going out into the garden, we apply sunscreen to all children 🧴, ensuring their skin is protected from harmful UV rays. We also support children in developing independence by gently introducing sun safety routines in an age-appropriate way.
Alongside sunscreen, we place strong emphasis on weather-appropriate clothing, including:
Sunhats to protect the face, neck, and ears 👒
Lightweight, long-sleeved tops for children with more sensitive skin 👕
Comfortable clothing that keeps children cool while offering coverage
We also make good use of shaded areas 🌳 and ensure children have access to plenty of water to stay hydrated 💧
Supporting sun safety at home 🤝☀️
We kindly encourage families to continue these practices at home, helping children build consistent habits around sun protection.
Applying sunscreen before nursery, providing named sunhats, and dressing children appropriately for the weather all make a big difference 🧴👒
By working together, we can ensure that children enjoy the many benefits of outdoor play – from physical development to wellbeing and exploration – while staying safe in the sun 🌈
Learning through sunshine 🌿✨
Outdoor play is such a valuable part of early years development. Whether it’s planting seeds 🌱, exploring textures in sand and water 🏖️💧, or building confidence through movement, the garden offers endless opportunities for learning.
With the right precautions in place, we can make the most of the sunshine and create happy, healthy, and safe experiences for all children 😊☀️
That's really helpful advice ☺️