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Step 1
Check with your doctor if you have a child under 6 months. Babies' skin is so thin that it absorbs sunscreen into the blood stream, so confirm with your doctor before applying sunscreen to an infant. Instead, focus on sun-protective clothing and hats.
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Step 2
Avoid sprays for young children. Since young kids can be so wiggly, sprays can end up in the wrong spot very quickly. Lotions and roll-ons work best for young children as they are more controlled in their application. Additionally, the effects of inhaling sunscreen are unknown and young children may not remember to hold their breath while the sunscreen is being sprayed on.
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Step 3
Use a stick or roll-on for the face and tops of ears. A stick provides a very easy way to apply sunscreen. The face and tops of the ears are critical spots to cover every day, so use a tool that makes it easy for you. Plus, it's virtually impossible to get sunscreen in your eyes from a stick, so children aren't likely to become afraid of the process using this tool.
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Step 4
Use spray sunscreen for older children. It's easy to apply, quick and the cleanest method--you don't end up with sunscreen caked on your hands. But it can be more expensive, so make sure that it works with your budget.
