We love summer around here. It doesn’t seem like things slow down much, but at least we’re mostly doing things WE want to do.
The only negative about summer . . . is the heat. We’re in Texas, and Texas is hot.
Crazy hot.
I can’t handle the thought of my kids sitting inside for the entire summer, so we pay the (insane) membership fee at the only local pool in our small town and spend almost every single day outside swimming. On the days we can’t swim, we play whatever games we can come up with that involve water!
I consider myself a master at at speed-sunscreen-ing three kids (and could probably win a contest if there ever was one)! So, when the opportunity came about to host a Banana Boat® Sunscreen Natural Reflect Lotion 101 Days of Summer Play party and do a giveaway here on the blog, I was happy to do it.
My kids are always the most thoroughly sun-screened kids at any outdoor event. And I’ve been using Banana Boat’s sunscreen since my oldest was tiny. After our first disastrous encounter with another sunscreen that burned his eyes when he accidentally rubbed them, I tried their “Tear-Free” versions and never went back!
For our party, the kids and I had fun shopping for summer fruits and snacks. We served watermelon, sliced oranges, chips, strawberries and drinks. The moms talked in the shade while my boys coached a game of “water baseball” with the kids.
Before the party, we cut colorful sponges into one-inch strips and then used rubber bands to attach four or more strips together to form a ball. The balls rested in a tub of water and the kids used a big whiffle bat to hit them.
(I got the idea for these balls from a photo in this fun post over at Miss Banana Pants)
They ran the bases (which were Banana Boat flying discs given out in the gift bags provided by Banana Boat!).
The kids . . . had a blast. Somehow that small sprinkling of water splashing across their faces when they hit the ball kept them happy for almost two hours in the sun!
Banana Boat’s campaign is focused on encouraging kids to get outside and play! The Banana Boat Natural Reflect Lotion is:
- 100% naturally sourced mineral sunscreen active with Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide
- Oxybenzone-‐free
- Paraben-‐free
- Gentle on sensitive and delicate skin
We really like this sunscreen. The only thing I feel obligated to point out is only an issue with the Tear-Free versions, and really doesn’t bother us. The sunscreen is more difficult to rub in and stays whiter on your skin. It does rub in, you just have to rub it longer and with a little more force than the ones that aren’t tear-free. But the huge difference in comfort is worth it to us! Besides, when it’s whiter, you can tell more easily which spots you have missed!
You can get more info and lots of inspiration for getting your kids outside during the summer over on Banana Boat’s facebook page, where you can also download their 101 Days of Summer Play Activity Guide!
NOTE: Giveaway is now over.
And . . . Banana Boat is giving away a Banana Boat Kit to one of you (who lives in the continental U.S.)! (I’m not sure what’s in it, but I LOVED everything they sent me!) Just leave a comment to enter! I’ll close the giveaway at 10 p.m. Tuesday June 19th. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my notification email with their mailing info. Read my giveaway policies here.
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.
Looks like so much fun-will have to add the sponge “balls” to our Summer list.!!
Ooh, I would love to win this! I have the palest skin in my family so sunscreen is vital!
Summer starts for us on Sunday and I can’t wait to get out and play in the sun with my boys!
We always need sunscreen here in Arizona!
Mmmmm Banana Boat sunscreen always smells fantastic. Looks like you guys had a great party!!
I had no idea banana boat is so skin-friendly! I love that it’s a mineral formula and paraben free. My 2yo and I have very fair and sensitive skin, so we’re very sun-conscious and always have on sunscreen. (And my husband is an athlete who trains outdoors a fair amount of the time, so he’s constantly applying it, too.) I am going to try some ASAP!
Your water baseball game sounds too fun. I’ll have to remember that one! Enjoy your hot hot Texas summer!
I love the water baseball idea…Will be using that this summer…Thanks! And thanks for the chance to win some Banana Boat…We really like their products! My son has had moles/spots that were bad removed since he was in second grade so we have to be very dilligent, as hard as that is with a teenager and sunscreen!
I an excited to see a physical sunscreen from them. I will have to find it in the store.
It would be great to win this! We have very fair skin, so we definitely use sunscreen!
Please enter me!
So happy to see they have a natural sunscreen.
I love the water baseball idea! How fun. Thanks for the contest. 🙂
we like Banana Boat
thanks
How fun. I must try this with my little guy!
I’d love to win! I’m usually terrible at remembering to put sunscreen on my boys! The water baseball looks like something my boys will love!
I love that so many companies are trying to re-vamp their products to get rid of the toxic junk in them and make them safer for their customers. I would love to try this out! Thanks!
That idea with the sponge balls? Brilliant! I know what you mean about it getting crazy hot down there. My family is in the Hill Country, and even though I consider our summers up here in Kansas to be brutal, they’re NOTHING like the weeks of 100+ temps y’all get down there!
Looks like fun, we might have to try that! I may suggest the boys suggest it for their summer parks program.
Yay, Nony, I’d love to win the sunscreen kit! I’m in Florida where the sun is blisteringly hot all summer (and then some)!!
PS Love your Teach Your Kids to Clean book. My girls aren’t gonna know what hit ’em. 😀
Please enter me in the drawing. Banana Boat products are fantastic!
Fun game and easy to prepare – thank you!
This looks like so much fun!
I just got done making sponge balls last week. We have yet to try them out but we can’t wait. LOVE summer
We have the same problem in S. Florida and the sun is just brutal! Keeping my fair haired, blue eyed kids protected with sunscreen is a constant battle. I’ve got to make some of those sponge balls!
Thanks for the chance to win.
I would love to try….my son has already had a sunburn due to me forgetting to buy sunscreen….which I STILL have yet to remember!
Water balls look so fun! We are in Texas too and need lots of sunscreen in this heat. Thanks for the give a way.
We use a lot of sunscreen here so would love to win. 🙂 that game is a great idea!
I have all the stuff I need to make the water bombs and the idea to use them for water baseball is perfect!! Thanks.
Love to win. Hoping to get out even more this summer
What a great idea for a water game!! We have not tried Banana Boat for our kids (I worry because they have super-sensitive skin!) But we may have to try the new “natural” version!! Would love to win the giveaway!! 🙂
great idea!
AHHHHHH! Waterball!!! My kids LOVE playing baseball/softball and this would be PERFECT for them to play this summer!! Thanks for the idea and we love banana boat and wiht 4 kids spending the summer at the baseball field and the pool the giveaway would be perfect. (We are trying to get our stuff together to start our summer of clean. Trying to be hopeful about this working out for us! 🙂 We are just starting summer break.)
I have very fair skin and burn easily so sunscreen is a requirement around here. I love your idea for the sponge balls and would love to use them at camp this summer.
Wow, love the waterball idea! Will so have to incorporate that in the hot summer days ahead =) And as a slob trying to get organized, I love reading your blog! =)
Being redheads means we always slather on lots of sunscreen so please enter me for the giveaway.. thanks =)
Very cool game! And I would love to win this!!
After spending today in the sun and water, I could certainly use this! It’s amazing how much sunscreen my family goes through every summer.
I have extremely sensitive skin, so I have to be careful what kind I buy for our children, as I am usually the one putting it on them! The natural version sounds like it would be just right for us! Does it still have the delicious Banana Boat smell?
I’ve got to look for this at our store – we usually use zinc oxide based sunscreens, and I’d love to find them at the big-name stores!!
This sounds like so much fun!
Water baseball looks like fun! Thanks!
My kids would love to play water baseball! I will make sure to try it out.
Having an outside play in the water old fashioned birthday party at my house next weekend!
We use sunscreen every Summer day here in Utah. Thanks for the review!
I would love to win! Water baseball looks like fun!
Okay, here in South Mississippi we may not get as hot as it does in Texas, but it’s pretty darn close! Even though my two children are biracial and don’t burn as quickly as their neon parents, I still want to protect that beautiful skin! Sign me up!
Donna
anotherbattlewon.blogspot.com
Sponge balls look like great fun. Thanks for the heads-up on a tear free lotion. Always a problem with little ones!!
What a neat idea! And easy, can’t beat that. This a great giveaway! Thanks for the chance to win! Yay a Slob Comes Clean Banana Boat!!!! 🙂
would be great to win this!
I would love to win this give away. We live in Georgia, and it is very hot here too. My son is very fair. Love the sponge balls.
Looks like fun. Banana Boat products are great.
Looks like fun, and I’m interested in this more natural sunscreen. Thanks!
Thanks for the giveaway!! I really enjoy reading your blog:) You are so funny and real:)
Here in Louisiana it is already hot,too. Thanks for the chance to win
I’m in Texas too. With two small grandchildren just living six blocks from me I am always needing sunblock. I like what you had to say about the things Banana Boat doesn’t have in it.
Pure Genius! We are going to be looking for sponges and rubber bands at the Dollar store tomorrow!
Love the natural sunscreen- going to be looking for it in my store very soon. Thanks for hosting!
I would love to win! We’ve got a beach trip coming up! 🙂
I had no idea Banana Boat had natural sunscreens. I’d love to win the gift pack and I think we may be making sponge balls this summer – what a fun idea!
Love this!
yay we love Banana Boat
Looks like fun, we’re always looking for something new to do in the summer. Thanks for the giveaway!!!
that is a cool game..thanks for the idea…THEY HAVE A TEAR FREE SUNSCREEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
a few years back we had an e.room visit due to sweat running into my toddlers eyes (after she had eye surgery the month before no less) that had sunscreen in it…the doctor said…don’t put sunscreen on their forheads….
sunscreen gets in my eyes too..i’ll have to find this product…with our fair skin…and my family history of skin cancer..we use up to 110 spf..(and mommy still burns within an hour…lol
the boys wear rash guard shirts all the time..so that helps tons…
That baseball game looks like a lot of fun! I think we’ll be trying that!
I don’t think people really get how important sunscreen is, and not just that, but how important it is to find a child-friendly one.
Will definitely be keeping the “baseball” game in the memory banks for later!
I would give anything to never have to deal with a screaming, hysterical child who got sunscreen in her eyes.
Love the water baseball game. Will definitely have to try this. I do love banana boat sunscreen as well. A little more pricey but well worth the price. You know you are getting the protection needed. Especially with a red headed, freckled, fair-skinned little girl who burns way too easily.
It’s hot here in Florida, too. When we do make it out in the sun, we are fanatics about sunscreen. (Been to the dermatologist’s office too many times.) I love a gentle one that doesn’t irritate my face and, especially, my eyes. Thanks for the review!
Love the water baseball idea!!! Will definitely be trying it 🙂
I’d love to get the Banana Boat gift pack. We use banana boat and it never lets us down… And that’s saying a lot, because we are so pale we almost glow in the dark 🙂
I just bought some of this sun block for my little ones. I was looking for one without all the chemicals, and the Banana Boat one fit my budget!
What a great idea! Planning my party already!
I would love to win this! I really should start getting out more with my two year old but the heat kind of kills me, especially since I am 5 months pregnant!
I just came across your blog today. . . I can’t even tell you how I got here, but I know why! I just bought your ebook and am looking forward to your approach. I know how to clean, in fact I’m a great spring cleaner. It is those every day things that get me in to trouble. Thank you for honestly sharing your struggles! I’ve started at the beginning of your blog. . . looking forward to slow progress.
My children LOVE Banana Boat!
I just found your blog…thanks for all the great tips! It looks like you all had a fun time!
My dad was diagnosed with melanoma about 7 years ago so sunscreen is very important to me for my kids, husband, and myself. I’ve not be able to find one that I love…I don’t want to feel greasy.
Fun! I would love to try out their safer sunscreens. Count me in… and thanks!
That looks like a fun game to play here in Arizona. I too am an expert at putting sunscreen on kids. We are a year round sunscreen family.
Thanks for the review! I never know which sunscreen is the best choice. Would love the chance to try out the Banana Boat natural products!
ooooh – fun fun fun. Thanks for the chance to win 🙂 And thanks for the great ideas – I’m adding sponge softball to the list of games for my daughter to play for her birthday. MUCH easier to clean up than water balloons!
Ill have to try spngeballs…my crew like throwing things at each other, lol
We love being outside too! I think my kids would love living at the community pool, if they could. We go through massive amounts of sunscreen with the kids. It would be exciting to the kids if I won a prize that meant they would have the opportunity to be outside even more. I loved this post. Thanks for the water baseball idea!
So looking for new sunscreen here. my youngest is totally allergic to the one I currently own (NOT Banana Boat). I wonder if Banana Boat has a spray on. That seems to be easier with my kids. I’ll have to check it out, or, win your give-a-way. As for now, i am totally being distracted by my computer bloggy friends and am not getting dinner made. Off to cook!!
I have three little boys who love the water. Wouldn’t they get a kick out of a kit like this?
This giveaway is great-my son takes his shirt off for basketball and gets too much sun!
The kids would love this!
Awesome thanks!
My pale girls and I would love to win!