My child is too young officially for sun screen, but we spend a lot of time outside. Now that the sun is getting stronger, what do you do about sunscreen in a child too young for it? Is there an alternative, or is it just shade and protective clothing?

I have always done the clothing and shade route until they are a little older. My girl is over a year now and loves when its lotion time out of the bath, so the last thing I want her doing is rubbing that screen then rubbing her eyes.

My son has worn sunscreen since he was about 14 - 16 months. They make kids sunscreen with a really high SPF and that is what I would recommend. I've never had a problem with him getting it in his eyes.
Of course, wearing a hat and staying in the shade is good but not always possible when playing outside.

I've always done the protective clothing thing as well as one of those tent/cover things that help shade you at the beach partially.I'd rather take precautions or limit outside time than let them get burned.

You can actually use sunscreens with a physical block in them, and no chemical block, on children younger than 6 months. My kids are very fair skinned, so this is what I did. I also bought some of the sunblocking clothing for them; I think I got mine at One Step Ahead.

I haven't been able to find anything, so I just take him out when it's overcast or the sun is not too hot. I know that will not last forever, but hopefully until he's old enough to wear the normal sun block.