Your complete holiday sun safety guide: what every parent needs to know before the summer break

Summer is almost here. The bags are nearly packed, the kids are nearly feral with excitement, and the sun - finally - is actually showing up. But before you head out the door, there's one thing that deserves more than a last-minute thought: sun protection.

Why June sun is stronger than you think

Most parents know sun protection matters. Fewer realise just how strong the sun is during June. The UV index — the measure of how intensely the sun's radiation reaches the earth's surface — peaks between May and August, often reaching levels of 7 or higher on clear days. A UV index of 6 or above means unprotected skin can burn in as little as 15 to 25 minutes.

June also marks the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. More daylight hours means more cumulative UV exposure — even if you're not spending the whole day in direct sun.

The SPF mistake most parents make

Applying sunscreen once before leaving the house is a great start. But it's not enough on its own.

SPF breaks down with exposure to sun, sweat, and water. Most formulations — even SPF 50 — need reapplying every two hours to maintain their level of protection. A full day out means at least two or three reapplications to stay truly protected.

The challenge? Getting kids to stand still for it. This is exactly why Solar Buddies was designed the way it was — an applicator that puts the control in children's hands, making reapplication something they want to do rather than something they run away from.

How to apply SPF properly on kids

Most people apply less sunscreen than they should. Apply enough to cover all exposed skin generously — about a teaspoon for each limb, the face and neck, and the front and back of the body.

A few things to get right:

- Apply 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure so it has time to absorb

- Don't forget easy-to-miss spots: ears, back of the neck, tops of feet, and the back of hands

- Reapply after swimming, towelling dry, or every two hours — whichever comes first

- SPF lip balm matters too, especially for a full beach day

SPF for different holiday types

Not all summer days carry the same UV risk — and it's worth knowing the difference.

Beach and water days: The highest risk environment. Sand reflects up to 15% of UV radiation and water up to 25%, meaning exposure comes from multiple directions simultaneously. Use water-resistant SPF 50, reapply every 80 minutes in and out of the water, and dress kids in UPF-rated rash vests where possible.

City breaks and sightseeing: Often underestimated. Walking around in full sun for several hours is significant UV exposure, especially on reflective surfaces. SPF 30 to 50 daily, reapplied at lunchtime as a minimum.

Camping and outdoor adventures: Shade is more available but exposure is continuous over long days. Pack a high-factor SPF and make reapplication part of the routine — after lunch, before afternoon activities.

Sports and active holidays: Sweating accelerates SPF breakdown. Use a water-resistant formula and set a reminder to reapply every 80 minutes during active time.

The holiday sun safety packing list

Before you zip up the suitcase, make sure you've got:

-  SPF 50 sunscreen — enough for the whole trip, you'll use more than you think

-  A Solar Buddies applicator for each child — so they can reapply themselves

-  SPF lip balm

-  UPF sun hat with full brim coverage

- UV-protective sunglasses for the kids

- A rash vest or UV-protective swim top for beach and water days

- Aloe vera gel for after-sun relief, just in case

Making sun safety a habit, not a battle

The biggest challenge for most families isn't knowing that SPF matters — it's making it stick as a daily habit, especially when kids resist.

A few things that help: build it into the routine rather than making it a separate event (sunscreen goes on before shoes, not instead of running to the car), let kids have ownership of the process — which is where Solar Buddies really earns its place — and keep it positive. Sun safety is about having more adventures, not fewer.

The families who get this right don't dread the sunscreen moment. They've just made it part of how they do summer.

Ready for summer?

The Dad's Suncare Bundle from Solar Buddies has everything you need to make sun protection easy, fun, and genuinely mess-free this summer. Throughout June it's 20% off -no code needed, discount applied at checkout.

Here's to the best summer yet. See you in the sun.