Getting Kids To Drink Water

As summer heats up, kids need to drink more water to stay healthy and keep from getting dehydrated.

But sometimes convincing them is hard to do.

My 11 year old “doesn’t like water”.  And why would he – I mean really, soda, sports drinks, and powdered drink mixes taste a whole lot better.

But we all know that loading up on that stuff adds a ton of sugar into the daily diet. This means more calories and more cavities. Nothing good there.

So while a sugary drink is ok in moderation – staying hydrated means drinking water- the plain old-fashioned kind.

10 Tips for Getting Kids To Drink Water

• Add ice cubes to all of their drinks – even the sugary ones. This increases the water content and keeps them cool too.
• Add slices of fresh fruit to dress up the taste. A slice of lemon or orange makes that tumbler a lot more elegant.
• Try flavored seltzers.
• Or mix a little juice and seltzer. That 11 year old of mine that doesn’t like water? He will down a glass of juice and seltzer with no problem. We just go easy on the juice and heavy on the seltzer.
• Have them eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Not only do these healthy snacks provide lots of vitamins and fiber – but they are also made up of water. They don’t call it “watermelon” without a reason.
• Make smoothies. I blend lots of crushed ice with milk and fruit to make a nutritious and refreshing afternoon treat.
• Make sure that water is available wherever they go. If you go to the beach, to a sporting event, or even go out for a day trip, take a cooler of water bottle along. The kids are probably thirsty – and will drink it if it is there.
• Set an example. Make sure you are getting your daily allotment of H20 also. And when you have a glass – offer one to your child.
• Use fancy goblets and glasses for that water. It might not taste more exciting but it will certainly look that way.
• Explain to them why their bodies need water to stay healthy.

Getting kids to drink water will likely take more effort on the part of the parent, rather than the child. But hopefully by encouraging them consistently, you will be creating a healthy habit that will last a lifetime.