It’s very sunny here and Florida and I’m always trying to get my squinting son to wear sunglasses. He humors me for a about 30 seconds before slinging his head around and making them fall off. I guess I need to implement a few tips from our Guest Contributor for today, who is going to tell you all about encouraging kids to wear sunglasses.

Wearing sunglasses is one habit kids should develop, especially if they often spend time outdoors playing or exploring. While playing outdoors can be quite fun, your kids’ frequent exposure to the sun can lead to the development of eye conditions.

WebMD warns that children are especially vulnerable to these eye conditions because their eyes allow 70% more UV rays to penetrate than adult eyes do. Thus, they’re more susceptible to UV damage that can accumulate and cause cataract formation and bad eyesight when they get older.

As such, it’s important to encourage kids to wear sunglasses, which are made with glass that block harmful UVA and UVB rays. If you’re having trouble convincing your kid to wear sunglasses or don’t know how to start, here are some tips that may help:

Let Them Choose Their Sunglasses

When kids are happy with their sunglasses’ design, color, and style, they’ll be motivated to wear them more often. This makes it crucial to let them choose the specs they want.

You can help them do so by letting them try on different pairs. While you can do this at the mall, it’s more convenient to test out pairs at home, so your kid can have all the time to try them on and decide. Check out fun, trendy styles at sites like goodr sunglasses and let them pick their favorites.

Some eyewear retailers make this possible by allowing customers to try on glasses online through their virtual try-on technology.

Using a mobile phone’s front camera to see how different sunglasses look on their face helps them choose the pair they want. Through this technology, your kids will find it easier to choose a pair that suits their face shape and their personal preferences.

Get Them Sunglasses Inspired by Their Favorite Characters

Apart from allowing children to pick their sunglasses, it can also help to look for a pair that features their favorite character. You can start by asking them about their favorite cartoon characters or water superheroes. Once you find out that your child likes Aquaman or another superhero, it will be easier for you to look for shops that can offer sunglasses that suit their preferences.

So, if your child has a penchant for heroes, princesses, or any other popular character, look into SunStaches’ costume sunglasses. This company gained traction after being featured on Shark Tank as a brand that creates novelty sunglasses. Your kids will surely enjoy wearing sunglasses if you get them a pair that makes them look like Spider-man or Minnie Mouse.

Make Their Sunglasses Easy to Wear or Carry

Some children may not like sunglasses because they’re difficult to wear or they often get lost. One way to ease this burden is to make their sunglasses easier to wear or carry.

For instance, if your kid is worried about their sunglasses falling off when running or playing, get a head strap attachment that secures it in place. Another accessory is a neck strap that acts like a lanyard for sunglasses, so if your child needs to take them off, they won’t misplace or forget them. Both these accessories are available in physical and online retail stores, and they come in different designs and sizes to suit your kid’s preferences.

Set a Good Example for Your Kids

Do you frequently forget to wear sunglasses? Your child may not like wearing protective eyewear because of your very own habits. Kids learn how to do things from watching their parents, which is why you’ll need to set a good example for your child.

Exploring Your Mind reveals that children often imitate adults because it helps them create a sense of belonging and allows them to learn from others. As such, showing them that you wear sunglasses whenever you go outside can encourage them to do the same.

You can even take it a step further by getting matching sunglasses with your child. Some eyewear brands even make matching sunglasses for parents and kids in different designs. With this, your child can copy you and learn the importance of wearing sunglasses.

Remember, kids’ eyes are more prone to UV damage, so they constantly need eye protection. Encourage your children to wear sunglasses by using the tips above.