If you've ever tried to convince a hot, sandy, overtired child to put on anything they don't want to wear, you'll know that simply saying “it's for your protection” isn't always going to cut it.

During stinger season in tropical Australia, reducing exposed skin is an important part of enjoying the water. But the best kids stinger suit is ultimately the one your child will actually wear.

The good news? A few simple tricks can make getting a stinger suit on, and keeping it on, a whole lot easier.

1. Make sure their stinger suit actually fits

This is probably the biggest one.

A kids stinger suit should fit close to the body without feeling restrictive. If it's painfully tight, digging into their neck or difficult to move in, you're probably going to hear about it approximately four seconds after arriving at the beach.

Too loose isn't ideal either. Excess fabric can bunch up, drag in the water and become annoying when they're swimming.

Look for a close, comfortable fit that still allows plenty of movement for swimming, climbing, running and doing all the chaotic things kids do near water.

And remember: stinger suits aren't wetsuits. They don't need to feel thick, heavy or restrictive.

2. Put it on before you get to the beach

This one can save a battle.

If possible, get younger kids into their stinger suits before you leave home or your accommodation.

Trying to wrestle a stinger suit onto a child who can already see the ocean is rarely a winning strategy. 😂

Once their friends are swimming and they've spotted the sand, asking them to stand still while you get dressed is considerably harder.

Suit on. Sunscreen on exposed areas. Then go.

3. Let them choose their own design

Kids are far more enthusiastic about wearing something they actually like.

Let them choose their colour or print and make their stinger suit part of their beach gear rather than something they're being forced to wear.

This is one of the reasons we've always wanted Salty Goods kids' suits to look fun rather than clinical.

If they're excited about their suit, half the battle is already won.

4. Normalise it before stinger season

Don't wait until the first big beach day to introduce a new suit.

Let your child try it on at home. Wear it in the pool. Take it to swimming lessons if appropriate. Let them get used to how the fabric feels and how they move in it.

For little kids especially, familiarity can make a huge difference.

By the time you're heading out for a day on the islands or the boat, their stinger suit is simply what they wear in the water.

5. Dress the whole family

This is a big one.

If the kids are being told they need to wear protective swimwear while every adult around them is swimming in regular swimmers, you can probably predict the question:

“Why do I have to wear it?”

When everyone wears a stinger suit during stinger season, it becomes normal rather than a rule specifically for the kids.

It's also why we make kids, youth, women's and men's stinger suits. Families can make protective swimwear part of what everyone wears during stinger season.

6. Choose lightweight fabric for tropical conditions

North Queensland in summer is HOT.

A thick suit that feels like a wetsuit isn't particularly appealing when it's 30-plus degrees outside.

Look for kids stinger suits designed for warm tropical water, using lightweight, breathable and quick-drying fabric.

Salty Goods stinger suits use 210gsm stretch fabric rather than thick neoprene, so they're designed to provide full-body coverage without the heavy wetsuit feel.

7. Don't make it scary

Kids don't necessarily need a detailed explanation of everything that lives in tropical Australian waters.

Instead of:

“You have to wear this because there could be an Irukandji in there.”

Try:

“Stinger suits are what we wear swimming during stinger season.”

Simple. Matter-of-fact. No drama.

Protective swimwear can become as normal as wearing a hat in the sun or a lifejacket on the boat.

8. Keep their suit on between swims

If you're spending the day moving between the beach, boat, sandbar and water, constantly taking a suit on and off can create unnecessary battles.

A comfortable kids stinger suit can simply become their outfit for the day.

They swim in it. Play in it. Have lunch in it. Jump back in the water in it.

That's also where quick-drying fabric makes a difference.

9. Use the toilet before putting it on

Parents of little kids: you already know why this is here. 😂

Bathroom first.

Then stinger suit.

You'll thank us later.

10. Have a dry suit ready for the next day

If you're on a tropical holiday or spending several days on the water, nothing kills enthusiasm quite like putting yesterday's cold, damp swimwear back on.

Rinse stinger suits in fresh water after use and give them plenty of time to dry.

For families swimming every day during a holiday, having a second suit can also make life considerably easier.

Kids stinger suits should make ocean days easier, not harder

Stinger season doesn't mean families need to stop enjoying tropical Australian waters.

The goal is to take sensible precautions, follow local marine stinger advice and make protective clothing part of your normal summer routine.

For kids, that means choosing a stinger suit that's comfortable, lightweight, easy to move in and, importantly, something they're happy to wear.

Because when they're comfortable, they'll forget about what they're wearing and get back to the important stuff:

Swimming, exploring, finding shells, jumping off the boat and spending summer in the ocean.