The best kids sunscreen sticks for skin safety

If you're on the lookout for the best baby sunscreen, kids sunscreen sticks will be a lifesaver this summer. Easy to pop in your beach bag or holiday suitcase and quick to apply, they give the peace of mind that your little one's delicate skin is sun safe. Perfect for wiggly toddlers, or kids who'd like the independence of doing it themselves, a sunscreen stick means you can keep them protected from the sun.

Keeping your little one topped up with sunscreen and then some aftersun is incredibly important (as it is for parents too). It's recommended to apply sunscreen well before children head outside, making sure they're wearing a sunhat and staying hydrated too. Reapplying throughout the day is key to preventing sun damage to their delicate skin too. Sunscreen sticks will make that task simple and a lot less time consuming.

A kids sunscreen stick will be formulated with children's sensitive skin in mind, combining protection with skin-loving ingredients. Many sticks are even waterproof sunscreens for kids too. You'll want a formula that has a high SPF, doesn't feel sticky, and absorbs quickly so they can get back to playing in the sun as soon as possible - if it doesn't smell, even better!

Editor's Choice

• Best kids sunscreen stick overall: Childs Farm Kids and Baby Sun Lotion Roll-On - Buy now on Amazon UK

• Best kids sunscreen stick for sensitive skin: NIVEA SUN® Kids Caring Roll-On - Buy now on Boots.com

• Best water-resistant kids sunscreen stick: Soltan Kids Protect & Moisturise Suncare Roll On - Buy now on Boots.com

• Best sunscreen stick for you and them: Aloha Sun Stick - Buy now on Amazon UK

If you're looking for an easy way to apply sun protection to your little one's skin, take a look at our full list of the best kids sunscreen sticks down below - then go have some protected fun in the sun!

Is a kids sunscreen stick better than other sunscreen options?

As long as your child is protected from UV rays while out in the sun, any form of sunscreen that works for you is best. The reason why many parents prefer stick and roll-on formulas, is because they make applying the formula evenly onto children a lot easier, plus older children can even put it on themselves with minimal effort.

Sunscreen sticks are also a lot easier to throw in in your bag as they take up less space. The formulas tend to be not as runny as others as well, which makes the likelihood of wasting product minimal, which is a win-win in our books.

What to consider when choosing a sunscreen stick for your child?

• Is it formulated for their age group?

• Will it fit in your bag for the day?

• Is it a SPF 50+ formula?

• What does the formula consist of?

• Does it fit into your budget?

• Does it protect from UVA and UVB rays?

Where should you apply sunscreen on your child?

Our golden rule for applying sunscreen of any kind is make sure everywhere that isn't covered by clothing is covered by sunscreen, adding extra to parts that are really exposed like the nose and shoulders. Clothing isn't always protective enough either, so we'd recommend applying sunscreen to the majority of their body. This should protect your baby from the sun too, but check with their doctor just in case.

How often should you apply sunscreen on your child?

The NHS suggests that you applying is at least 30 minutes before they head out and then just before they go out in the sun for a proper level of protection. So two applications before they're exposed to UV rays.

They also state that "Sunscreen needs to be reapplied liberally and frequently, and according to the manufacturer's instructions."

"This includes applying it straight after you have been in water, even if it's "water resistant", and after towel drying, sweating or when it may have rubbed off."

"It's also recommended to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, as the sun can dry it off your skin."

What is the right SPF for children?

Because kids have really sensitive skin, we'd suggest playing it safe and getting them at least factor 50 sunscreen. You'll notice that the majority of the kids sunscreen sticks above are SPF 50+, because that's the best for a child's skin in the sun.

How else can you keep your child safe from the sun's UV rays?

Kids can be a little awkward with sun protection, and we get it, they just want to get out there and have fun as soon as possible. But there are a couple of easy ways to keep them protected. As well as applying sunscreen, clothing that covers them (within reason for warm temperatures) and sun hats can offer some additional protection.

Try to make sure they have regular breaks from the sun throughout the day and keep them in the shade frequently too. This is obviously, but keeping them hydrated in warmer weather is also very important.

UVA vs UVB

You may be wondering what the difference between UVA and UVB rays are. UVA (ultraviolet A) rays have a longer wavelength which means they're more likely to cause skin aging. UVB (ultraviolet B) rays are shorter and are what causes the skin to burn. They're both dangerous so, you'll need protection from both of them.

Eve Miller is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby, working for Bauer Media for over two years. She is passionate about beauty, creative writing, and women’s healthcare.