Sun Protection Clothing for Kids

Simple Sunscreen in Kids' Clothing

• SPF is not just for sunscreen anymore, as many popular clothing brands offer summer clothes with the fabric treated with SPF to better protect children from the sun. Sun-protective bathing suits treated with SPF are particularly easy to find, but long sleeve and short sleeve shirts are also becoming increasingly popular as parents try to keep their kids safe in a more convenient way. The Environmental Magazine points out that companies developing sun protective clothing assure consumers that it will protect against up to 97 percent of the sun's harmful rays and will last through many laundry cycles. Solumbra, one of the first manufacturers of sun protective clothing, actually tests the UV protection after 500 laundry cycles. You can also wash your regular clothes in an sun-protective rinse to add extra protection at a lower cost, though it generally only lasts 20 or so washes before needing to be retreated.

Cool and Safe Fabric Choices

• Clothing made with sun-protective fabric, while a good choice, tends to be much more expensive than other fabrics and is also generally made of synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon. When choosing fabric to protect your child from the sun, balance sun protection with heat protection. Heavier weight, darker fabrics and tighter knits will protect your child from UVA and UVB rays more efficiently but may also cause your active child to overheat. Lightweight, light-colored cotton or linen offers less sun protection, though unbleached cotton protects better than bleached, but keep your child cool and comfortable. Any clothing will add some level of sun protection, but add a layer of sunscreen under your child's lighter weight clothes if you are concerned about overheating.

Covered Up Sunny Day Styles

• It seems odd to dress your children in long sleeves and pants when he is going to be out in the hot sun, but doing so protects him from the sun's damaging rays. Loose clothing will feel more airy and comfortable for your child to cover up while playing, and also protects better than tight fitting clothing which can stretch and allow more sun penetration between the fibers. Keep a loose-fitting long-sleeve tunic in your beach bag to cover your child up after she comes out of the water, especially if she has a bathing suit that exposes lots of skin.

Accessorize to Maximize

• Once your child is protected from the neck down, cover up your child's head and face before heading out into the sun. Choose a hat with a wide brim that goes all the way around the hat to keep the sun off the face and neck. If older kids insist on a baseball style hat, cover the back of the neck with sunscreen to protect that delicate skin. Buy well-fitting sunglasses with dark lenses that filter out 99 to 100 percent of harmful UV rays.