Top 5 tips to get kids to wear their sunscreen

Getting children to sit still for sunscreen application can feel like a full-time job — especially when the pool is right there. But in the UAE, with UV indices regularly sitting above 10, it's one habit worth fighting for. Here are five strategies that genuinely help.

1. Make it part of the routine before you leave the house

The biggest mistake is trying to apply sunscreen at the beach or pool, when excitement is at its peak and resistance is highest. Apply at home, before getting dressed, when things are calm. Once it's part of leaving-the-house prep — shoes, hat, sunscreen — children stop fighting it as a separate event.

2. Let them choose the product

Giving children a small sense of control goes a long way. If they've picked the sunscreen themselves (from a short, curated list), they're far more likely to cooperate with application. For older children, letting them apply it themselves — with your check at the end — builds the habit for life.

3. Choose a formula that doesn't sting or leave a heavy white cast

Many children's resistance to sunscreen comes directly from bad product experiences. Formulas that run into eyes, smell synthetic, or leave a visible white residue create genuine discomfort and understandable protest. A mineral sunscreen using micronised zinc oxide avoids most of these issues — no chemical filters, no sting, and a lighter finish.

4. Apply more than you think you need — and reapply

Most people, adults included, apply far less than the tested amount. For children, SPF 50+ applied generously every two hours in direct sun is the standard. Use a "two-finger rule" for each limb as a rough guide, and set a timer so reapplication doesn't slip.

5. Model the behaviour yourself

Children are observational learners. If they see you applying sunscreen consistently, without fuss, as a normal part of being outside — they'll internalise it as normal. Make it a shared ritual, not a battle.