The Ultimate Parent Guide to Kids Sun Safety
Helping families enjoy safer sunshine with practical advice on children’s UV protection, UPF50+ swimwear, sunscreen, beach safety, and healthy sun habits.
About Kidz Swimmers
At Kidz Swimmers, we are passionate about helping families enjoy safer outdoor adventures through UPF50+ swimwear, sun-safe education, and child-friendly learning resources. Our mission is to help parents support safer beach days, swimming holidays, water play, and outdoor fun by encouraging sensible sun protection habits for children.
This guide has been created using publicly available guidance from trusted organisations including:
- NHS
- Cancer Research UK
- British Association of Dermatologists
- Melanoma Fund
- The Skin Cancer Foundation
Last reviewed May 2026
Why Sun Safety Is Important for Children
Children’s skin is more delicate and sensitive than adult skin, which means extra care is important during sunny weather and family holidays. According to Cancer Research UK, too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can damage skin cells and increase long-term skin cancer risk. The NHS advises that babies and children require particular protection from strong sunlight, especially during peak UV hours.
This does not mean children should avoid outdoor fun altogether. Instead, families can support safer outdoor play by combining:
- Shade
- Protective clothing
- Sunscreen
- Hats
- Hydration
- and sensible sun habits
What Does UPF50+ Mean?
UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor.
UPF is a rating used for clothing and fabrics to show how effectively the material helps reduce the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the skin.
Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is made up mainly of:
- UVA rays
- UVB rays
According to Cancer Research UK and the NHS, too much UV exposure over time can contribute to skin damage, sunburn, premature skin ageing, and increased long-term skin cancer risk. Children’s skin is particularly delicate and sensitive, which is why many parents choose to include sun-protective clothing as part of their family’s wider sun safety routine.
What Does UPF50+ Protection Mean?
UPF50+ is the highest commonly used protection rating for clothing. A UPF50+ fabric is designed to allow only a very small amount of UV radiation to pass through the material under laboratory testing conditions. This means the fabric helps provide a high level of UV protection for covered areas of skin.
The level of protection may vary depending on factors such as:
- Fabric condition
- Stretching
- Wetness
- Fit
- Wear over time
- Garment coverage
Why Do Families Choose UPF50+ Swimwear?
Many families choose UPF50+ swimwear because children often spend long periods:
- Swimming
- Playing outdoors
- Paddling
- Enjoying beach or pool activities during warmer weather
Water, sand, and reflective surfaces may increase UV exposure during outdoor play.
UPF50+ swimwear can help support sun protection by covering areas of skin while allowing children to remain comfortable and active during swimming and outdoor activities.
Is UPF50+ Swimwear Enough On Its Own?
Health organisations such as the NHS and British Association of Dermatologists recommend using multiple forms of sun protection together.
UPF50+ swimwear is best used alongside:
- SPF30 sunscreen (or higher)
- Shade
- Hats
- Sunglasses
- Hydration
- Sensible sun habits.
No single product can provide complete sun protection on its own.
Why Is UV Protection Important For Children?
Children’s skin can be more vulnerable to UV exposure because it is thinner and more sensitive than adult skin. The NHS advises taking extra care to protect babies and children from strong sunlight, especially during peak UV hours and holidays abroad where UV levels may be higher than in the UK.
Helping children develop good sun safety habits from an early age may support healthier outdoor lifestyles as they grow.
The Best Ways To Help Protect Children In The Sun
1. Spend Time In The Shade
The NHS and Cancer Research UK recommend taking extra care during the strongest UV hours, particularly between 11am and 3pm in the UK.
Shade can include:
- Umbrellas
- Beach shelters
- Trees
- Canopies
- Indoor breaks.
Even on cloudy days, UV rays may still affect the skin.
2. Use Protective Clothing
Protective clothing can help reduce direct UV exposure.
The British Association of Dermatologists advises that clothing and shade should form the first line of defence against the sun, with sunscreen providing additional protection.
3. Apply Sunscreen Correctly
The NHS recommends using sunscreen with:
- SPF30 or higher
- At least 4-star UVA protection
Sunscreen should be:
- Applied generously
- Reapplied regularly
- Used alongside clothing and shade rather than as the only protection method
Children who are swimming, sweating, or towel drying may need sunscreen reapplied more frequently.
Babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct strong sunlight where possible.
4. Encourage Hydration
Hot weather and outdoor play can increase the risk of dehydration.
Encourage children to:
- Drink water regularly
- Take shade breaks
- Cool down after long periods in the sun.
Sun Safety Tips For Family Holidays
Sunny holidays can involve stronger UV exposure than many parents expect.
Helpful family holiday tips include:
- Packing spare UV swimwear
- Encouraging regular water breaks
- Planning shade breaks
- Using wide-brimmed hats
- Avoiding prolonged midday sun where possible
- Reapplying sunscreen after swimming.
Combining several sun safety methods together provides the best protection approach
Sun Safety For Babies & Toddlers
Babies and toddlers require extra care in hot weather.
The NHS advises:
- Keeping babies under 6 months out of direct sunlight
- Using shade
- Lightweight clothing
- Appropriate sun protection measures.
Parents should also remember:
- Hot sand and surfaces can burn small feet
- Dehydration can happen quickly
- UV exposure may still occur in cloudy weather.
Beach & Poolside Sun Safety Checklist
Before heading out, many parents find it useful to pack:
- UPF50+ swimwear
- Spare rash vests or sunsuits
- Wide-brimmed hats
- Sunglasses
- SPF30+ sunscreen (or higher)
- Extra drinking water
- Shade shelters or umbrellas
- Towels
- Lightweight cover-ups
Frequently Asked Questions
Does UV swimwear replace sunscreen?
No. UV swimwear is designed to support sun protection by covering areas of skin, but health organisations recommend combining:
- Protective clothing
- Sunscreen
- Shade
- Hats
- Sensible sun habits
Does sunscreen need reapplying after swimming?
Yes. NHS and dermatology guidance recommends regular reapplication, especially after swimming, sweating, or towel drying.
Is sun protection still important on cloudy days?
Yes. UV rays can still reach the skin through cloud cover.
Can UV swimwear help during watersports and beach holidays?
Many families choose UPF50+ swimwear to help support sun protection during:
- Beach holidays
- Pool play
- Paddleboarding
- Watersports
- Outdoor summer activities.
Fun Sun Safety Learning For Children
At Kidz Swimmers, we believe sun safety learning can also be fun. Visit our Kidz Corner for:
- Larry the Lizard activities
- Printable games
- Colouring pages
- Beach safety fun
- and family learning resources designed to encourage healthy sun habits
Helpful Sun Safety Resources
For further professional guidance, we recommend:
- Cancer Research UK – Sun Safety
- NHS – Sunscreen and Sun Safety
- British Association of Dermatologists
- Melanoma Fund
- The Skin Cancer Foundation
Related Sun Safety Articles
You may also find some of our Kidz Swimmers Blogs helpful:
- What Does UPF50+ Mean?
- How to Protect Children from Sunburn when swimming
- What should a 2 year old wear swimming
- How to get the best out of your Kidz Swimmers swimwear
- Larry & Lizzy Lizard Sun Safety Activities
Important Information
This guide is intended for general educational information only and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Sun protection guidance may change over time, so parents should always check the latest advice from recognised health organisations.