Sun Smart Kids: The 5 SunSmart Steps for Spring and Summer in NZ

The sun gets strong before summer does

Spring in New Zealand brings longer days, beach trips and kids playing outside until dinner.

The air might still feel cool, but the UV climbs fast from September. By late spring, the midday UV index often reaches 7 to 9 in the North Island. That is very high, and children's skin can burn fast at that level.

The good news is that sun protection is simple once it becomes a habit. New Zealand's SunSmart message is Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap. Here is what each step means for your kids, and how to make it part of every day out this spring and summer.

UV is not the same as heat

You cannot see or feel UV radiation. Warmth comes from infrared, so a cool, breezy day can still carry very high UV. Light cloud does not stop it either.

That is why so many Kiwi kids get burnt in spring. It does not feel hot, so nobody reaches for the sunscreen.

A few facts worth knowing:

• SunSmart advises sun protection whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In most of New Zealand, that is most days from September to April.
• UV is strongest in the middle of the day. During daylight saving, take extra care between 10am and 4pm.
• Sand, water and concrete reflect UV, so kids can still burn in the shade at the beach.
• New Zealand has some of the highest UV levels in the world for its latitude, partly because of our thinner ozone layer.

The simplest habit you can build is to check the UV index before you head out. The free UVNZ app and the NIWA and MetService websites all show the day's peak UV and the hours you need protection. Read more in our guide to NZ UV and why sun protection is a year-round job.

The 5 SunSmart steps

No single step protects your child on its own. They work best together.

1. Slip on clothing

Cover as much skin as you can. A shirt with a collar and long sleeves protects more than a singlet.

• Tighter weaves and darker colours block more UV.
• For swimming, a long-sleeved rash top does the job of a shirt.
• Look for clothing tested to AS/NZS 4399, which gives it a UPF rating.

2. Slip into the shade

Shade from a leafy tree, a building, a shade sail or a beach umbrella cuts UV a lot. Set up camp in the shade first, then let the kids play from there.

Shade is not enough on its own. UV bounces off sand, water and concrete, so keep hats and sunnies on under the umbrella too.

For babies under 12 months, shade, clothing and a hat are the main protection. Keep them out of direct sun as much as you can.

3. Slop on sunscreen

Use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of at least SPF 30. Check for AS/NZS 2604 on the label.

• Put it on 20 minutes before you go outside.
• Reapply every 2 hours, and after swimming, sweating or towel drying.
• Use plenty. Most people put on less than half the amount needed.
• Do not forget ears, the back of the neck, the tops of feet and the backs of knees.

Sunscreen is the last line of defence, not the first. Use it on the skin that clothing and a hat cannot cover.

4. Slap on a hat

More people get sunburnt on the face and neck than anywhere else on the body. Choose a hat that shades the face, ears and neck.

• Broad-brimmed, bucket and legionnaire hats all work well.
• Baseball caps leave the ears and neck exposed.
• A chin strap helps hats stay on toddlers.

5. Wrap on sunglasses

Sunglasses are the step parents forget most often. UV damages eyes as well as skin, and children's eyes are more exposed than ours.

Choose close-fitting, wrap-around sunglasses that meet the Australian and New Zealand standard AS/NZS 1067.

Why kids' eyes need sunglasses

A child's eye lets more UV through to the retina than an adult's eye does. Kids also spend more time outside, and they rarely squint or look away from glare the way adults do.

UV exposure adds up over a lifetime. Protecting eyes early is one of the easiest things you can do for their long-term eye health.

What to look for in kids' sunglasses

• A safety standard on the label. In New Zealand, look for AS/NZS 1067.1:2016. No standard means no proof of protection.
• UV400 lenses. UV400 blocks both UVA and UVB. A sticker that just says "UV protection" does not tell you how much.
• A close, wrap-around fit. Gaps at the sides let light and UV in around the lens.
• Flexible frames. Kids drop, sit on and bend their sunnies. Frames that snap will not last the summer.
• A headband for under 3s. It keeps sunnies on little faces and out of little mouths.

One warning: dark toy sunglasses without proper UV protection can do more harm than none. Dark lenses make the pupils open wider, which lets more UV into the eye.

Getting kids to keep them on

• Let them choose the colour. Kids wear what they picked.
• Start young, so sunnies become as normal as a hat.
• Wear yours too. Kids copy what they see.
• Make them part of the routine: hat, sunnies, sunscreen, then out the door.

More tips in How to Get Kids to Wear Sunglasses (and Actually Keep Them On).

Your beach day sun checklist

Pack the bag the night before so nothing gets left on the bench.

• Check the UV index and the protection times for where you are going
• Hats for everyone, with chin straps for little ones
• Sunglasses for every child (and you)
• SPF 30+ water-resistant sunscreen, plus a spare in the car
• Rash tops or long-sleeved shirts for the beach
• A beach umbrella or shade tent
• Water bottles
• A phone reminder to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours

If you can, plan the big outdoor play for the morning or late afternoon. Use the middle of the day for lunch in the shade, a nap or a trip indoors.

Te Rā sunglasses tick every box

We started Te Rā because we were tired of seeing our kids squint in the New Zealand sun. Every pair we sell is:

• Certified to AS/NZS 1067.1:2016
• Fitted with polarised UV400 lenses
• Made with flexible TR90 frames that bend instead of snap

Find the right fit by age:

NZ shipping is free on orders over $75. Get a pair sorted before the first hot day. Shop all Te Rā sunglasses.

Sun safety FAQ

What UV level needs sun protection?

SunSmart recommends protection whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In New Zealand, that is most days from September to April, and all year in the mountains, on the water or around snow.

Do kids need sunglasses on cloudy days?

Yes. UV passes through light cloud, and glare off water and sand adds to it. If the UV index is 3 or above, sunnies go on.

Is SPF 30 enough for kids?

SunSmart New Zealand recommends at least SPF 30, broad-spectrum and water-resistant. SPF 50 gives a little more protection. How much you apply and how often you reapply matters more than the number.

What age can a baby start wearing sunglasses?

Babies can wear sunglasses made for their size, with a soft headband to keep them in place. Te Rā Rito fits from birth to 2 years, and Mahuru from birth to 3. For babies under 12 months, shade, clothing and a hat come first.

How do I know if kids' sunglasses meet the standard?

Check the label or swing tag for AS/NZS 1067. If there is no standard listed, there is no proof the lenses protect against UV.

Does sunscreen protect the eyes?

No. Sunscreen protects skin only. Eyes need sunglasses and a hat with a brim.