Summer is finally here and we try to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Our two girls are busy 3 and 5 year olds now and love to run around any playground they can get their hands on; and of course the infamous splash pads around the city. This means being prepared as we leave the house for whatever adventure we’re tacking that day. With the temperatures rapidly rising, you will need to take certain measure to keep your little ones safe. Here are a few tips to help everyone keep their cool…
Stay Hydrated– Not only should the kids stay hydrated but you should too. Keep refillable bpa free water bottles around the house and allow the kids to bring them along. Our girls have bottles with their favorite characters (Peppa Pig and Hello Kitty) on them which has really encouraged them to drink more water throughout the day and while we are out. If your child has a hard time just drinking plain water, try and 50/50 juice/water ratio or even go for a 75/25 juice/water ratio which is even better!
Sunscreen– Some may disagree with me but I’m not a fan of manufactured sunscreens. There are too many chemicals in them that can potentially lead to more than just cancer and I refuse to put them on the girls skin. For that reason, we use natural sunscreens which we don’t have to think about applying because we use them EVERYDAY! Here are a few we us:
Coconut Oil -(Natural SPF 4-10 depending on the brand)
Shea Butter- (Natural SPF 6-10 depending on the brand)
Hera are a list of others you may use as well just in case of nut allergies.
- red raspberry seed oil – SPF between 30 and 50 (seriously!)
- carrot seed oil – SPF 30.
- wheat germ oil – SPF 20.
- hazelnut oil – SPF 15.
- coconut oil – SPF 10.
- soybean oil – SPF 10.
- macadamia oil – SPF 6.
As a recipe you can combine 1/4 cup of coconut oil, 1/4 cup beeswax, 2 tablespoons of Shea Butter and a few drops of any essential oil of your choice, calendar is our all time fav!
Bug Spray– This one is a must! Mosquito’s get pretty rough here in the south. Here’s a natural repellent we use that works wonders and safe for the kiddos.
In a small spray bottle filled with purified water add 5 drops of Purification essential oil and 5 drops of Peppermint essential oil, shake and spray.
Most of all have fun and enjoy!!