Our Outdoor Safety Routine: The Sunscreen I Actually Trust and Why We Ditched Mosquito Spray

If you’re a northern Alberta mom, you know the drill. The second the snow melts, the kids want to be outside, and honestly so do I. After a long winter, none of us are staying indoors! But with outdoor season comes two things I take pretty seriously: sun protection and bugs.

I’ll be completely honest with you, we’re not a family that burns. We tan. So for a long time, sunscreen wasn’t really on my radar the way it should have been. But once I started actually looking into what’s in sunscreens, especially for my kids, I knew I needed to pay more attention. And the mosquitoes up here? They’re relentless and often the size of pterodactyls. My kids love being outside and I want to keep it that way, but without dousing them in chemicals every time we step out the door.

Here’s what actually works for our family:

The Sunscreen Search Was Harder Than I Expected

Okay, real talk. Finding a sunscreen I felt good about took way longer than it should have. I went down a bit of a rabbit hole reading ingredient lists, and I was genuinely surprised by what I found in a lot of the popular brands. It was so overwhelming.

This is what I was looking for based on what I read online:

– No oxybenzone or avobenzone (chemical UV filters that I wasn’t comfortable putting on my kids)

– Mineral-based (zinc oxide is my preference. It sits on top of the skin rather than being absorbed)

– No fragrance, no parabens, no harsh chemicals

– Something that actually works and doesn’t leave my kids looking like little ghosts

After a lot of research, I landed on Thinkbaby SPF 50+ Mineral Sunscreen and we haven’t looked back.

🇨🇦 Canada: https://amzn.to/4dYwjKF

🇺🇸 USA: https://amzn.to/4uY0FVa

Why I Love It

It’s a mineral sunscreen with 20% non-nano zinc oxide as the active ingredient (no chemical filters). It passed Whole Foods Premium Care standards, which is honestly a bar I respect because their ingredient requirements are strict. It’s also vegan, Leaping Bunny certified, and free from PABA, parabens, phthalates, BPA, oxybenzone, and petroleum.

The thing that sold me practically? It actually goes on reasonably well. Anyone who has used mineral sunscreen knows the white cast struggle is real. This one isn’t perfect, but it’s far better than others I have tried. It absorbs without feeling greasy, which matters a lot when you’re chasing a toddler who does not want to stand still!

It’s water resistant for up to 80 minutes, which is great for active kids.

One tip I’ll share: Give it a good shake before you go to use it (like any mineral sunscreen, it can separate a little over time). Once you do that it applies much more smoothly.

A Little Hack I Love: SunnyPatch UV Stickers

Since I’ll be honest that sunscreen reapplication is something I’m still working on remembering to do, I recently came across NatPat’s SunnyPatch UV Detection Stickers. You stick one on your kid’s skin and it actually changes colour when it’s time to reapply sunscreen. Genius! It takes the guesswork out of it completely, especially when you’re busy watching the kids play and lose track of time.

Note: The NatPat SunnyUV stickers don’t appear to be available on Amazon.ca at this time, but my Canadian friends can grab the Beautistin UV Detection Stickers as a great alternative. For my US friends, the original NatPat SunnyPatch are available on Amazon.com!

🇨🇦 Canada: https://amzn.to/4ueItFg

🇺🇸 USA: https://amzn.to/4vs3MV1

Why We Switched to Mosquito Patch Stickers

This one was a game changer for us, and I genuinely can’t imagine going back to spray.

Up here in northern Alberta, mosquitoes are no joke. And with a toddler and a baby, the idea of spraying DEET-based repellent on them (or even near them) just didn’t sit right with me. I tried some natural spray alternatives but found them messy and hard to apply without getting it on little hands that then go straight into mouths.

Then I found NatPat BuzzPatch Mosquito Repellent Stickers back in 2023 when my first was little, and honestly, I felt silly for not finding them sooner. We’ve been using them ever since and just restocked for this summer.

🇨🇦 Canada: https://amzn.to/4udVPBC

🇺🇸 USA: https://amzn.to/43aSnNn

How They Work

BuzzPatch stickers go on clothing or gear (not directly on skin). They’re made with a blend of citronella-based essential oils that work by masking the CO2 we emit (which is what mosquitoes track to find us). They’re DEET-free, non-toxic, and completely plant-based.

You just peel and stick! No spraying, no rubbing, no fighting with the kids to stand still. My toddler actually thinks they’re fun stickers, which makes the whole process shockingly easy and he keeps them on his shirt! Each patch is most effective in the first 8 hours but continues working for up to 24-72 hours.

Don’t Forget About Ticks

While we’re on the topic of outdoor protection, ticks are something everyone should be thinking about right now. Experts are warning that 2026 is shaping up to be an early and active tick season across Canada, and up here in northern Alberta ticks are most concentrated in spring and early summer, with the risk continuing well into fall.

NatPat also makes TickPatch stickers that work the same way as BuzzPatch (DEET-free, plant-based, stick right on clothing). I just placed my first order and they should be here next week. I’ll report back once we’ve tried them!

And no matter what repellent you use, always do a full tick check on yourself and your kids after any time outdoors. That part is non-negotiable.

When a Mosquito Gets Through Anyway

Because let’s be honest, no matter how good your protection is, sometimes one gets through. NatPat MagicPatch Itch Relief Stickers are something I keep in my bag all summer long. You put one on a bite and it’s designed to provide itch relief within 30-60 seconds. Waterproof, can stay on for up to 7 days, and no creams or chemicals needed.

For a household with little ones who have zero patience for itchy bites, these are a non-negotiable for us. Also, bonus points to these patches because my toddler is obsessed with bandaids or as he calls them “bandages” and so he actually keeps these on too! So no more scratching those mosquito bites.

A Note for Canadian Shoppers on NatPat

Some NatPat products can be tricky to find on Amazon.ca right now. Your best bet is ordering directly from natpat.com where you can grab everything: BuzzPatch, TickPatch, MagicPatch, and more all in one order!

Our Summer Outdoor Routine at a Glance

To keep it simple, here’s what our outdoor prep looks like now:

1. Apply Thinkbaby sunscreen before heading outside

2. Stick BuzzPatch sticker(s) on clothing, if the bugs are bad we use two stickers

3. Add TickPatch stickers for extra protection in grassy or wooded areas

4. Use UV detection stickers as a reminder to reapply sunscreen

5. Keep MagicPatch in the bag for any bites that happen anyway

Is it a perfect system? No. Do I sometimes forget to reapply on time? Absolutely. But it’s simple, it’s non-toxic, and it means I’m not stressed about what I’m putting on my kids while we enjoy the summer we waited all winter for.

A Note From Me

I want to be clear. I’m a mom sharing what works for our family based on my own research and personal experience. Nothing here is medical advice. If your child has specific skin sensitivities, allergies, or health concerns, please reach out to your healthcare provider.

That said, I do believe in being an informed parent and paying attention to what we’re putting on and around our kids. I hope this helps you feel a little more confident heading into the outdoor season.

Enjoy every second of it. Up here, we’ve earned it. 🌲

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my links I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share products our family genuinely uses and loves.