As the summer rolls in and the school year ends, our tweens are gearing up to enjoy some much-deserved downtime. While their days will look different, a daily routine can help reduce stress for you while promoting self-reliance and good habits in your kids. So whether they’re heading off to camp, playing sports, or crushing it on Fortnite, here’s a rundown of simple, mom-approved tips to keep your kids feeling clean, confident and ready for anything this summer.
Haven’t finalized your camp schedule yet? Want to coordinate with friends? Download our free ultimate summer camp planner to help compare camp options, availability, and costs + share schedules with friends.
Click Here for the FREE Ultimate Summer Camp Planner
MORNING RISE + SHINE
Start with an Easy Win
Camps and activities usually have later start-times than school, so your kiddo may have a few extra minutes to start their day by making their bed, re-arranging their Imani + Kids Skater Bundle, tidying their room. Sure, that’s literally the last thing they might want to do, but this small task sets a positive tone and instills a sense of accomplishment right from the start. Maybe they can make a game out of it, like racing a sibling to see who can finish the fastest.
Healthy Breakfast
Involving kids in breakfast prep can promote healthy eating habits and independence. Whether it’s just pouring their own cereal or helping to make smoothies, every task boosts confidence and life skills.
Start Strong with Sunscreen
Before your tweens sprint out the door, make sure they’re slathered with a good layer of mineral sunscreen SPF 30 or higher. Why mineral? It’s perfect for sensitive and changing skin and immediately blocks harmful rays without the harsh chemicals. Opt for water resistant formulas if your tweens will be swimming or getting super sweaty. If they insist on applying it themselves, show them how to cover all the bases, including those easy-to-miss areas like the top of ears and back of neck and knees. Then hang back and let them go to it.
AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES
Reapply, Reapply, Reapply!
Sunscreen isn’t a one-and-done deal, especially if your kids are swimming, sweating, or toweling off. Send them off with a portable, easy-to-apply sunscreen like the Zinka SPF 30 Mineral Face Stick and help them remember to reapply sunscreen by packing some in a pouch with their lunch, or setting a timer on their phone or smart watch, so they touch up mid-day. A little nudge to make it part of their routine can go a long way toward preventing sunburns and keeping their skin healthy.
Hydration Station
With all the running around they’ll be doing, it’s essential to keep your kids hydrated. Make sure they drink plenty of water throughout the day, and consider adding some hydrating snacks like watermelon to their summer line up. Larger capacity water bottles can be heavier, but don’t require as many refills throughout the day. We like BPA-free plastic bottles from Yeti and Camelbak, or non-plastic dishwasher-safe bottles from Yeti and Stanley.
Funk-Free Fresh
Summertime sweat is real, and tweens are not immune. They may not smell themselves, but the rest of the world does. To keep unwanted odors at bay, pack a natural, aluminum-free deodorant in their packs if they need to reapply mid-day. They may need an extra set of clothes for particularly active days to keep them comfortable and prevent skin issues like rashes and irritations that can occur from prolonged exposure to sweat-soaked fabrics, too.
END WITH A CLEAN SLATE
Wash Away the Day
After an active day, it’s time to rinse off all that sweat, sunscreen and grime. Summer is a great time to introduce a simple skincare routine, especially for tweens who might be starting to experience changes in their skin. Discuss the importance of washing their face every night to remove dirt and oil, and remind them to wash their body from head to toe. Let them pick out a gentle kid-friendly cleanser like Gryme Body + Face Wash that’s free from harsh chemicals and fragrances to avoid any irritation. If your kiddo rushes through steps too quickly, have them sing a song or two while washing their face and bodies so they spend enough time cleaning, especially their feet.
Keep the Gear Clean
Summer means your tween’s sports and play gear sees a lot of action. Encourage them to regularly clean and air out things like helmets, gloves and pads. This not only helps prevent odors but also reduces the buildup of bacteria that can cause skin irritations.
Fresh Clothes, Fresh Start
Kind of goes without saying, but swap out those sweaty shirts and grass-stained shorts for a fresh set of clothes each day. Not only will they feel more comfortable, but it also helps prevent any funky odors from taking up residence in their closets. Try avoiding detergents and dryer sheets packed with fragrances - they can be irritating to sensitive skin. If you need extra help with odors, try including ½ cup of baking soda in the wash cycle on warm. Bonus points: get them to help wash their own laundry at least once a week.
Good Night’s Sleep
WIth summer’s laxed schedule, it’s easy to start going to bed later and later. But quality sleep is crucial for physical health and emotional well-being, especially during the active summer months. So even though they’re not waking up early to take a test, encourage them to stay away from screens 60 minutes before bedtime and get at least 8-10 hours of sleep.
These tips aren’t just about keeping clean; they’re about empowering your tweens with habits that promote their health and independence. So, enjoy this sunny season knowing your tween is taking steps to stay fresh and healthy every day.
Leave a comment
All comments are moderated before being published.
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.