I have a history of melanoma. I sport several industrial size scars that decorate my body - I have a good deal of sun damage from years of laying out in my backyard and at the beach, seeking the perfect hint of color. I have been known to fry my skin - but with the thought behind it that fat looks better browned than pale, kinda like bacon.
:)
I'm a fierce advocate of the use of sunblock, but my kids are much less interested in it than I am. I was delighted to be asked to host a Banana Boat® Sunscreen Natural Reflect Lotion 101 Days of Summer Play party! I invited several friends over and we had a great time hanging out in the backyard. We lathered the kids up and set them loose in the backyard, armed with frisbees, jumpropes and sidewalk chalk.They jumped around off the swingset, played airplane and dared each other to jump off the swings at ever increasing heights.
And no one got hurt - that's a rare occasion right there!
That's the best part about outdoor parties and kids - there's virtually no work to be done - kids just seem to do it all themselves. This allows the adults to enjoy themselves as well - virtually a win-win situation in my book.
When the mosquitos got too bad, we went inside - and then jumped right into a game of Twister!
Banana Boat has come out with a new sunscreen , which is a naturally Sourced Mineral Sunscreen Actives that contains Zinc Oxide. It is Oxybenzone and Paraben-Free and gentle on sensitive skin - a plus for my kids who are prone to eczema. With both UVA and UVB Protection, this water resistant (up to 80 minutes) sunblock is dermatologist tested and recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation.
Visit the Banana Boat® Sun Care Facebook Page throughout the summer to keep the fun in the sun going! You can download a free 101 Days of Summer Play activity guide on the Banana Boat Facebook Page with even more great ideas for summer fun. You can also take a pledge to encourage your kids to play outside every day this summer.
I was sent a Banana Boat® 101 Days of Summer Play Outdoor Activity Ideas packet, and here are some of the ideas that we tried at our party - they helped to make for a tremendously fun evening!
o Ready? Set? Go! Update the traditional relay race with challenges to make the game a little more interesting. Start each player off by jumping rope five times before running off to the next step!
o Basketball with a flying twist! Hang a basket from a tree limb close to the ground and see who can make the most baskets!
o Hop around! Hopscotch is always a fun and easy way to get active outdoors. Have the kids use their creativity to come up with new rules or a different way to organize the squares!
o Do the hula. See who can hula the longest around their neck, hips and knees.
o Popsicle social. Squeeze ripe oranges for fresh orange juice and freeze in popsicle trays. Once they’re ready, enjoy this ice cold treat outside in the warm sun.
o Freewheeling. Split a group of four or more kids into pairs and create your own wheelbarrow. Have one person get down on all fours while their partner picks them up by their ankles. When everyone is set, race to the finish without falling over!
Would you like to win a Banana Boat kit? One lucky reader will receive one Banana Boat Kit consisting of Banana Boat® Sunscreen Natural Reflect Lotion and Banana Boat branded frisbee.
Banana Boat Giveaway Dates: June 11 - June 16, 2012 11:59 p.m. EST
How to Enter: Leave me a comment telling me your very favorite outdoor activity!
Giveaway Rules:
Open to all residents of the USA age 18+ to enter. I will select the winner through random.org and notify by email. Winner must respond within 5 days or the prize will be forfeited.
I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Banana Boat® Sun Care and received a party kit to facilitate my review, party kits to give to my guests, and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.
Sitting under an umbrella in the pool :)
Posted by: Melanie | June 11, 2012 at 04:55 PM
Being on or in the water in any capacity. Kayaking, floating whatever is available.
Posted by: addy | June 11, 2012 at 06:56 PM
I love swimming and bike riding!
Posted by: Melanie Sargeant | June 11, 2012 at 10:22 PM
What better Summertime activity than baseball!
Posted by: Mary Copeland | June 11, 2012 at 11:03 PM
Taking a walk in the park or a day at the neighborhood pool.
Posted by: Lisa | June 12, 2012 at 06:46 AM
Hanging out in the yard - gardening, throwing the baseball around (practicing w/11yo) or watching my little on his playset. Just enjoying being o u t!
Thanks for the opportunity. We are taking sun safety up-a-notch this summer.
Posted by: elizabethk | June 12, 2012 at 11:48 AM
Swimming for my kids. Hands down favorite thing. They are both fish. I myself prefer the screened in porch with a book outdoor activity.
Posted by: Michele D | June 12, 2012 at 02:12 PM
love to swim and play volleyball
thanks
Posted by: Julie | June 12, 2012 at 03:39 PM
I really enjoy gardening. Does that count for an activity? Not if you are my 8 year old son. He enjoys waterparks. I hate them. We have not gone yet, but when we do, we're gonna need lots of sunscreen.
Posted by: paige | June 12, 2012 at 08:00 PM
this sunblock caused some serious flaking and eczema on my 8 year old daughter's face. I would no recommend for anyone with sensitive skin.
Posted by: sherry | June 21, 2012 at 12:22 AM
sorry, that should have been NOT recommend.
Posted by: sherry | June 21, 2012 at 12:22 AM
It is not advisable to stay over time under the sun. Even if you have the sun protection, it is not a guarantee that you spare yourself from danger.
Posted by: Joanna Rocha | January 19, 2013 at 08:15 PM