Did you know that our bodies are made up of 50% to 75% water on a daily basis? If your child isn’t drinking enough water (they should be drinking 1/2 of their body weight in water on a daily basis for example if your child weights 50lbs they should be drinking at least 25 ounces of water), it can cause dehydration and other potential health problems. Instead, of grabbing drinks on the go try filling up a cooler and keeping it in the car. Today, I wanted to share some tips that Hank wrote on how to get your kids to drink more water.
Walk down the aisles of any grocery store and you are bound to see a myriad of juices, sodas and other flavored drinks designed to entice little ones. While sweet drinks are a great treat, drinking too much artificially flavored juice or soda can lead to childhood obesity. As children get older, they should be drinking more water to stay hydrated and keep their bodies energized. Unfortunately, many kids just don’t want to drink water. If your little one is being stubborn, here are a few crafty ways to make it easier:
Add Fruit to Your Child’s Glass of Water
This is a great way to add natural flavor to your water without any manufactured sugar. Chop up fresh fruits or veggies such as apples, oranges, pears, cucumber, strawberries, watermelon or peaches and heap them at the bottom of a tall pitcher. You may even consider adding mint leaves or cinnamon sticks. Fill the pitcher with water and put the mixture into the fridge to steep. The fruits, veggies and spices will add a natural, fun flavor to the water that is tasty to kids and adults alike!
Make it a Habit So That Your Kids Will Naturally Choose Water
Instead of pulling out the milk, juice or soda at the dinner table, opt for water first. If you choose to allow your child to drink soda or juice, ask them first to drink a glass of water. They’ll drink less juice/soda because their tummies will already be a little full from the water.
Comments
14 responses to “6 Fun Ways to Get Your Kids to Drink More Water”
These are some really great tips. I love the idea of making them drink some water before they get their drink of choice. My toddler will probably forget about the sugary drink once her thirst is gone.
I usually don’t buy very many sugary drinks because I don’t want my kids to ask for them on a regular basis.
I got lucky and both of my boys will actually ask for water. When we have dinner I always ask if they want water, milk or juice and most of the time they ask for water.
I get upset when I go to birthday parties and all they have is soda 🙁 I’ve made it a habit to start taking bottled water, that way I don’t have to deal with sugar hyper kids later lol
I am guilty of buying soda for parties but I do keep bottled water in my house and offer that too. I also make unsweet tea sometimes too.
I’m glad my son likes to drink water. So far, I’ve never had an issue with his daily water intake. 🙂
That is good, I try to offer my kid water only unless we are out and about then they get whatever they want usually.
I like the fun straw idea. I believe children are more obedient when it’s fun.
My youngest likes to drink using a straw too. 😉
My kids do not drink near enough water – I love the tips, especially the reward stickers and the flavoring ideas. That just might work for mine.
I’m all for adding fruity stuff too…but with my kids I’ve found forcing it down their throats is always good, clean fun 😉
Hello,
Water plays an important role in our daily life. Without water we can not think to live a beautiful life. Drinking more water helps us to clean use less material from our body. I love all the tips which you have shared above.
Thanks
Dr. Diana Hardy
great tips you got here! thanks for sharing …
My youngest two drink more water than my teenage son. These are great ideas for my younger ones but my teenager drinks whatever he chooses.
Great ideas! All these are funny ways to get kids to drink more water. Artificial drinks causes so many health issues to the kids. I definitely like the idea of adding fruit to a child’s glass of water.