Kids Sun & UV Safety Library
Protect little skin before the sun does the damage.
Sun is part of childhood — the beach, the pool, the park, game day, and every backyard adventure. This free hub brings together trusted public sun-safety materials from the EPA, CDC, WHO and AAP, plus simple BANZ® guidance to help babies and kids build safe-sun habits early.
Start with four simple habits.
Sun safety does not have to be complicated. For babies and kids, BANZ® recommends a conservative approach — cover up, seek shade, and protect little eyes and skin early.
- Slip on UPF 50+ sun-protective clothing.
- Slop on broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen.
- Slap on a wide-brim hat.
- Wrap on UV-blocking sunglasses.
Small skin, bigger stakes.
Kids' skin is more sensitive to UV — and habits built early last a lifetime.
UV 3 is the number that matters.
Health guidelines (EPA & WHO) recommend sunscreen, protective clothing, and shade at a UV Index of just 3 — not 8. Skin damage begins well before the number looks alarming, and the sun's UV is strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Slip, Slop, Slap & Wrap — four simple habits.
Australia's classic sun-safety message is still the clearest way to teach kids. Physical barriers do the heavy lifting; sunscreen fills the gaps.
Slip on clothing
UPF 50+ shirts, rashies and sun suits cover the most skin, consistently.
Slop on sunscreen
Broad-spectrum SPF 30+ on exposed skin, reapplied every 2 hours.
Slap on a hat
Wide-brim hats shade the face, neck and ears — where kids burn first.
Wrap on sunglasses
UV-blocking lenses protect developing eyes from day one.
Understand the UV Index at a glance.
The UV Index runs 0–11+ in five risk categories. For the full guide, visit UV Ratings Explained.
Minimal protection needed. Sunglasses on bright days.
Protection starts here: SPF 30+, hat & sunglasses.
Reduce midday sun, cover up, add UV-rated clothing.
Extra protection & shade. Fair skin burns in under 15 minutes.
Avoid peak sun. Full cover: clothing, hat, sunglasses, shade.
Download & share sun-safety materials.
Free public education materials from the EPA, CDC, WHO and AAP — helpful for families, schools, pediatric offices, camps, venues and community events.
Action Steps for Sun Safety
Simple, official steps to protect kids from UV overexposure — the core habits every family should know.
Open guide →Action Steps for Sun Protection
A printable one-page handout of sun-protection steps — great for resource tables and welcome packets.
Open PDF →"Be Sun Smart" Lesson
EPA Children's Health Curriculum lesson teaching kids about the sun, UV and simple protection.
Open lesson →SunWise School Program Guide
A school-program guide for teaching sun safety, UV and ozone through hands-on activities.
Open PDF →Sun Safety Facts
Clear, current CDC guidance on how UV causes skin damage and how to lower the risk.
Read facts →School Program Guidelines
CDC's recommendations for schools (Pre-K–12) to encourage sun safety on school grounds.
Open guidelines →Shade Planning for Schools
A practical guide to adding shade where children learn and play — ideal for venues & districts.
Open PDF →Global Solar UV Index: A Practical Guide
The WHO/WMO reference explaining the UV Index and how to use it for daily protection.
Open guide →Sun Safety (HealthyChildren.org)
American Academy of Pediatrics guidance for parents on protecting babies and kids in the sun.
Read guide →Shade Structure Grant Program
American Academy of Dermatology grants that fund permanent shade where children play & learn.
Learn more →UV Ratings Explained
Our own plain-language hub on reading the UV Index and gearing kids up at every level.
Open hub →"S is for Sun Safety" Activity
A preschool & kindergarten activity to make sun safety fun and memorable for little ones.
Open activity →Tip: Pair the EPA action-steps handout with the CDC school guidelines and a BANZ UV chart for a complete family, classroom, or venue resource table.
For pediatricians, optometrists & educators.
Free BANZ® resources for the professionals families trust — waiting-room handouts, UV-eye guidance, and infant sun-protection basics.
Turn sun safety into a story kids understand.
BANZ® teaches little ones to "See no glare, Hear no blare, and Feel no flare." Banzee™ the mama monkey shows Bubzee™ how to gear up for the sun — a friendly, memorable way to make sun protection a normal, everyday habit.
- Use the Banzee™ & Bubzee™ story before beach days, pool days and outdoor events.
- Share the UV Ratings hub with teachers, camps and pediatric offices.
- Pair the lesson with BANZ® hats, swimwear and sunglasses so kids connect it to real gear.
Everyday sun adds up.
A good rule of thumb: if kids are outdoors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., or near sand, snow or water, treat it as a sun-protection moment — even on cloudy days (up to 80% of UV passes through cloud).
Pack once, protect all season.
A simple kit plus one core idea: physical barriers are the layer that never washes off or gets missed.
Pack a simple sun-safety kit.
- UPF 50+ hats and sun suits/rashies for each child.
- Broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen — and reapply every 2 hours.
- UV-blocking sunglasses that stay on.
- Portable shade: a pop-up tent or umbrella.
- Water, and a plan to shift play out of peak midday sun.
UPF fabric can't wash off or get missed.
Sunscreen is essential but easy to under-apply and forget. UPF 50+ clothing blocks about 98% of UV consistently across every covered area — which is why gear is the first layer of defense for kids.
Make sun safety easier to share.
Practical ways to bring sun-safe habits into the places kids learn, play and gather.
Schools & teachers
Use the EPA "Be Sun Smart" lesson and CDC school guidelines; add sun reminders before recess, field trips and sports.
Venues & events
Add sun-protection and shade reminders to family event pages, guest services, and outdoor program info.
Parents & caregivers
Keep hats, sunglasses and sunscreen in the stroller, car, pool bag and sports backpack so they're ready.
Kids sun safety FAQ
At what UV Index should my child wear sun protection?
Guidelines from the EPA and WHO recommend sunscreen, protective clothing and shade at a UV Index of 3 (Moderate) or above. Because kids' skin is more sensitive, it's smart to protect at moderate levels and up — not just on extreme days.
Can kids get UV damage on a cloudy day?
Yes. Up to 80% of UV rays penetrate thin and broken cloud. The UV Index forecast already accounts for cloud cover, so check it and protect accordingly even when it's overcast.
Is sunscreen enough on its own?
Sunscreen is important but easy to under-apply, miss spots, and forget to reapply. Pair it with physical barriers — UPF 50+ clothing, a wide-brim hat and sunglasses — which protect consistently across covered areas.
What about babies?
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises keeping babies under 6 months out of direct sunlight, using shade and protective clothing. For older babies and toddlers, shade, UPF clothing, hats and sunscreen work together.
Does sun exposure only matter in summer?
No. UV rises in spring and stays elevated through autumn, and reflective surfaces like snow and water raise exposure year-round. The UV Index — not the season — is the right guide.
Can I share this page with my school, camp, or pediatric office?
Yes. This page gathers free public sun-safety resources to make them easy for families, schools, venues and community programs to find and share.
Help your kids enjoy the outdoors — safely.
From beach days and pool days to sports, hikes and everyday play, BANZ® sun protection helps families prepare with confidence.
