How to Prep for Fun in the Summer Sun

By Tanesha Awasthi, taneshawasthi.com

As a family with an active toddler, spending time outside is a big part of our lifestyle. Warm weather weekends typically consist of lounging on our patio while Narayan plays, collects rocks, or runs through the sprinklers! But fun in the sun isn't all fun and games – it also means taking extra precaution to protect against sunburns, scrapes, cuts and everything else in between.

Whether you're venturing out or enjoying your own backyard, sun protection and first-aid supplies are a must. Here are my tips for keeping your family happy and healthy this summer:

Use Sunscreen: Applying a broad spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15, like AVEENO^® Baby CONTINUOUS PROTECTION^® Lotion Sunscreen with Broad Spectrum SPF 55, helps prevent skin cancer and premature skin aging by blocking UVA and UVB rays. Always follow application directions on the bottle to ensure you're applying as often as required.

Cover Up: Wearing rash guards is a great way to protect your skin during sun exposure, and this is really important for little ones. We always dress Narayan in a long sleeve rash guard top, in addition to swim trunks, for extra coverage.

Wear a Hat and Sunglasses: Wearing a wide-brim hat isn't just for style – it’s an ideal way to protect your neck, ears, eyes, forehead, nose and scalp from the sun. Take an extra step to protect your eyes with sunglasses that have UV protective lenses.

Take Breaks in the Shade: Taking breaks every hour under a sun umbrella, especially during peak sun hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., is a great way to keep sun exposure at a minimum.

Store First-Aid Supplies: Keeping first-aid supplies on hand, like BAND-AID^® Brand Adhesive Bandages and NEOSPORIN^® + Pain Relief Cream is a must, especially during the summer when children are more active, making them more vulnerable to getting hurt outdoors. Narayan is certainly one of those kids who always gets a fresh cut each time he plays outside. I love BAND-AID^® Brand WATER BLOCK^® Clear Bandages in particular, because they're 100-percent waterproof, so they don't slow him down while he's playing in the water!

BAND-AID^® is a trademark of Johnson & Johnson

Tanesha Awasthi is a paid spokesperson for HEALTHY ESSENTIALS^®