5 Tips for Hosting a Kid-Friendly Event From Sun Bum's Art Experience

ENCINITAS, CALIF.—Last month, personal care brand Sun Bum hosted a two-day event at its headquarters in Encinitas, Calif., to celebrate the winners of its first-ever Kids Rule Art Contest, which was held to promote the launch of its new kids SPF collection.

The art-minded experience brought to life the winners’ artwork and featured a creative playground filled with interactive installations; live music; a skate ramp; F&B; and creation stations for bracelet-making, T-shirt and tote screen-printing, and temporary tattoos.

The winners of the Kids Rule Art Contest received prizes including $1,000.Photo: Courtesy of Sun BumTo enter the contest, kids submitted their artwork showcasing their “ultimate adventure day” with Sun Bum’s mascot, Sonny, with the chance to win $200 worth of Sun Bum products, $1,000, and a trip to Sun Bum’s headquarters. At the event, the kids’ drawings were displayed, alongside audio recordings of the winners sharing the inspiration behind their pieces.

Lauren Grazier, executive director of marketing at Sun Bum, said the idea for the art contest was inspired by “years of art and letters that kids have mailed to us from all over the world. We started collecting them and showcasing them around the office.”

To enter the contest, kids submitted their artwork showcasing their “ultimate adventure day” with Sun Bum’s mascot, Sonny.Photo: Courtesy of Sun BumShe added that the brand chose to host “Sonny's Daydream Event” at its headquarters because “we love our local community, and what better way to celebrate than with our neighbors and friends?” The event was open to the public with a guest list that included family and friends of the brand, along with employees.

“When planning a kids’ event, make sure to view it from their perspective,” Grazier said. “What would they find fun and meaningful? Make the experience all about them.”

Sun Bum hosted the two-day event at its headquarters in Encinitas, Calif.Photo: Courtesy of Sun Bum

Here are five tips inspired by the Sun Bum experience to keep in mind when creating a kid-friendly event:

In addition to DJs, the event featured local bands with younger members.Photo: Courtesy of Sun Bum1. Make them the star of the show.
Sun Bum enlisted local bands with young members to entertain the crowd. No Blippi wannabes here.

2. Serve F&B they’ll want to eat.
The brand brought on local food vendors such as Fish 101 (which serves kid-friendly fare like fish sticks), Hamburger Hut, and El Churrero.

3. BYOB: Bring your own bike.
Guests could bring their own scooters, bikes, and skateboards to shred on the custom skate park.

At the event, the kids’ drawings were displayed, alongside audio recordings of the winners sharing the inspiration behind their pieces.Photo: Courtesy of Sun Bum4. Kids need to hear from other kids.
Not only were the kids’ drawings on display, but Sun Bum also included audio recordings of the winners sharing their inspiration. This let the little attendees hear from kids their own age.

5. Get hands-on.
Sun Bum tasked Cactusview Printing Company with hosting an on-site screen-printing station where kids could make their own T-shirts and totes, in addition to other activities like bracelet-making.

The event featured creation stations for bracelet-making, T-shirt and tote screen-printing, and temporary tattoos.Photo: Courtesy of Sun Bum

“When planning a kids’ event, make sure to view it from their perspective,” Grazier said. “What would they find fun and meaningful? Make the experience all about them.”Photo: Courtesy of Sun Bum