4 tips from a dermatologist to keep skin protected during backyard summer fun

(BPT) - Summer is here, which means fun outdoor activities for kids will fill the long, sunny days. While the season is typically marked by family vacations and trips to the beach, new memories can be created right in the backyard or driveway! When used to its fullest potential, your outdoor space can very well become one of your child’s favorite places to play, explore, create and spend time with the family.

Before heading outside for summertime fun, consider the following from board-certified dermatologist and mom of four, Dr. Nava Greenfield, who has partnered with Coppertone to provide tips to help keep the little ones and their skin protected as they head outside.

Create a safe space

To keep at-home outdoor activities safe, scan the area and remove any large items that can become a potential hazard and safely stow away any gardening or lawn tools before kids head out. The first few days outside are typically the ones that carry the highest risk of sunburn, so it’s also great to set up a fun umbrella or even pitch a tent to create a shaded space for breaks from the sun’s rays. During the strongest sun hours, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., make sure kids are taking frequent breaks to hydrate and go indoors so they can also avoid constant sun exposure.

Make sun protection fun

To protect kids’ skin, parents should look for a sunscreen that will keep them protected from the sun’s UV rays and that kids will actually want to wear, like new Coppertone Kids Clear or Kids Clear Sparkle. Available with either a blue tint or fun sparkles, the clear, cooling and mess-free formula provides broad-spectrum SPF 50 sun protection and is water resistant (80 minutes). Parents everywhere know how difficult sunscreen application can be, but Coppertone Kids Clear makes the experience easy and fun, and can even be an engaging game, like Simon Says, for parents and kids to apply their sunscreen together!

Keep the essentials close

From scrapes and bumps to bug bites and sunburn, nothing puts a damper on summer fun like a small injury or health hiccup. Keep a first aid kit easily accessible, either outside with you or right inside and make sure the entire family knows where to locate it. Fill the kit with adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes, tweezers, antibiotic ointments, gauze and gloves. Keep an insect repellent handy too. Also, don’t forget your sunscreen!

Establish a post-play routine

Throughout the day and immediately after outdoor play time concludes, make sure kids are washing their hands with soap. To help calm the skin from time spent outside, have them take a lukewarm shower or bath and use a gentle cleanser to help get rid of any caked-on layers of sweat and dirt. Pat the skin dry and follow up with a kid-friendly all-over moisturizer.

While making new memories this summer, having fun is the ultimate goal, but it’s just as important to keep kids and their skin protected. With these tips in mind, your backyard, patio, driveway or deck is bound to become both you and your child’s new favorite, and safest, play place. For more information on sun protection, visit coppertone.com.