Natural tips for sun, bugs, swimming & summer wellness — straight from the ebook.
Summer with kids is magic and chaos all at once. These are the tips I actually use with my own 7 kids — no fear, no perfection, just practical scrunchy support for the season. This is a preview of what's inside the full Scrunchy Wellness ebook.
Many conventional sunscreens contain oxybenzone and avobenzone — known endocrine disruptors that absorb into the bloodstream. Zinc oxide sits on top of the skin, reflects UV rays, and starts working immediately. It's safe for babies, non-hormone disrupting, and reef-safe when non-nano.
Long-sleeved UV shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and shade are some of the best forms of sun protection — no chemicals needed. Hats also let the eyes receive natural sunlight which supports circadian rhythm.
Aloe vera — cooling and anti-inflammatory · Oatmeal or baking soda baths — soothes irritated skin · Coconut water and electrolytes — hydration from the inside out · Calendula — for sensitive or broken skin · Urtica Urens 30C (homeopathic) — for fiery, itchy burns
On sunglasses: Some holistic health perspectives suggest that limiting sunglasses during everyday outdoor time may support the body's natural ability to recognize and adapt to sun exposure — since sunlight through the eyes helps regulate circadian rhythm. Wide-brim hats can shield the face while still allowing natural light in. That said, use proper UV sunglasses in extremely bright environments like water or snow.
DIY Vanilla Bug Spray: Fill a small spray bottle with water + 1–2 tsp vanilla extract. Add a few drops of lavender or citronella essential oil. Smells good, works well, totally non-toxic.
Sprinkle unused coffee grounds into your campfire or burn small piles in foil trays to repel mosquitoes — they hate the smell of the smoke!
On puddle jumpers: Many swim instructors discourage puddle jumpers because they hold kids vertically — which can work against developing proper swim mechanics (floating horizontally, kicking, breath control). Consider supervised time in the water without floaties to help kids build real water confidence and awareness.
When kids are sweating in summer heat, plain water alone may not be enough. Add mineral drops or electrolytes to their drinks to replace what they're losing — especially after physical activity or a fever.
20–30 minutes of natural sunlight daily helps the body produce vitamin D — one of the most important nutrients for immune function. Summer is actually the best time of year to build vitamin D stores before fall and winter.
Up to 70% of the immune system lives in the gut. Keep it strong with probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, and kombucha, and colorful produce full of zinc, vitamin C, and natural minerals.