When it isn’t raining, it gets hot and humid here in Kansas City. Like miserably muggy and super sweaty hot. One afternoon I decided to surprise the boys by buying the slip-n-slide and having it set up for them to play on when then arrived home from summer school. They were so excited and eager to give it a go.
They ran off the bus with huge smiles on their faces, gobbled down a snack, changed in to their swim suits and were ready for an afternoon of wet, slip sliding fun.
One thing I am learning as a mom (and woman) is the importance of sunscreen. My boys are quickly learning that in order to play outside for long periods of time… they must put on sunscreen. We use Banana Boat® for the boys. Sunscreen does more than protect against sunburns, it protects against long-term effects that are not always visible, like skin damage and skin cancer.
I have lots of freckles and ‘beauty marks’ so the conversation about taking care of your skin and the effects of what happens if you don’t come easily and often in our home.
The boys locate our swim bag (which includes all our summer essentials), lather up, and head outside for some fun with their brothers and neighbor friends.
Summer Swim Bag Essentials
Sunscreen – Banana Boat® sun care products are tested in seven conditions –sun, pool water, ocean water, wind, sweat, sand and extreme heat –to provide safe and effective broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection for the entire family.
Towel – For obvious reasons, a swim towel is a must for your swim bag… to dry you off and keep you warm post swim.
Life Jackets – Our family rule is that if they are swimming in the lake, they must be wearing a lifejacket. Even if they are only playing in the shallow section of the water they must have their jacket on. As a retired lifeguard I have seen and heard too many stories to not take this rule seriously.
Goggles – you never know when you will need to see underwater and protect your eyes from lake water or chlorine. Always prepared is the motherhood motto.
Swim Toys – This isn’t a must, but it is always fun to have something to play with while in the water!
Baby Powder – This is a must-have item if you frequent sandy beaches. Sprinkle baby powder on those sandy parts and the sand rubs right off.
Water & Snacks – Obviously this isn’t in the swim bag for the photo, but when the kids are actively playing they get hungry and thirsty. I honestly think these are the favorite items in the bag for my boys! Ha!
Once the sunscreen has been applied, the boys are ready to slip, slide, run, flop and have some fun!
Sunscreen is a must… even on a cloudy day! The boys love the ease of the stick application. They can do it all on their own.
T-man goes down sliding head first.
Precious P makes a splash by sliding on his knees.
Summer is so much fun. Fun in the sun can be for everyone, just make sure you are taking care of your skin by protecting it with sunscreen.
This summer all signs point to fun in the sun for you – the Banana Boat® mom and your family! Whatever fun sun scene you and your family choose, Banana Boat® has you covered. All you need to do is follow the signs for continuous sun protection.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Banana Boat® . The opinions and text are all mine.
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
Oh man – Slip’n Slide! So fun!!! And yes – sunscreen is a MUST! I wear it every day, no matter what!
Rachel says
Yes. Me too. I just wish I wore it every day back when my skin was youthful 😉
Ivanna says
Great post, my kids love playing in the water too, we just got a slip and slide
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
I am trying to be better about sunscreen especially on my face. I miss the days of the slip n slide. I used to love those things!
Rachel says
Yes. Me too. Now all I can think of how it will hurt when I THUD myself against the ground from a running start. ha! not so much fun anymore. 😉
Marcia says
Slip n Slide! How fun! And yes, sunscreen is SO important. Glad you’re staying cool and enjoying summer.
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says
slip n slides are THE BEST! summer fun is so awesome. your family is precious.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says
I miss the days of Slip ‘n’ Slide! So much fun!
Carmy says
omg yes, sunscreen is so important. the BF forgot his when camping and came back all blistered…
Keith Andrews says
I couldn’t agree more about sunscreen!! When we lived in El Paso, it would take no time for the sun to have its effect. Now, it is easy for clouds to add a layer of complacency–but the threat remains! Thank you for sharing this reminder!
Bri says
Slip N’ Slide! Those were the best when I was a kid. I remember there was one that had a shark mouth at the end with a little pool — so much fun!
jill conyers says
Same essentials when my kids were little and a lot of the same now. Happy Friday Rachel!
Elena says
Love the slip and slide!! And yes, we have a bottle of sunscreen in every possible bag that is used in the summer just in case.
Jenn says
So cute! Summer fun is the best!