How To Convince Your Kids To Stay Hydrated

Water has many benefits. It regulates your body temperature, hydrates the skin and flushes away waste. Your body needs plenty of water to stay healthy, especially when you sweat and move around a lot. Kids are very active, and they need to stay hydrated as well. Sometimes kids find excuses to avoid drinking more water than they have to, and they often avoid it when they can. Here are two of the biggest excuses why some children avoid drinking water and what you can do to solve it.

"I Don't Like the Taste"

Have you ever heard that excuse before? Some kids don't like the way water tastes, or at least they say they don't. One way to fix this problem is to install a water softener system. Depending on where you live, there may be high amounts of calcium, magnesium and other minerals in the water. A water softener can slightly alter the taste by removing those minerals, and make it easier for you as a parent to clean hard water stains.

Another solution to this problem is by getting a few water flavoring packets. Instantly turn water into lemonade with a few low-calorie powder mixes. If you're struggling to convince your child to drink water, they may crave punch or juice. This is a great collaboration of both taste and liquid.

"I'm Too Busy"

It's true, kids are very busy. It's easy to forget to drink water when they're out playing with their friends. You can encourage them to drink more by bringing a water bottle to a friend's house or keeping drinks readily available whenever they need a short break. Make sure to offer water during mealtimes and snack times, and remind them every once in a while to take a sip.

Drinking water isn't the only way to stay hydrated. There are many fruits and vegetables such as celery, watermelon and cucumbers that have high water content. Offer these at snacks or during lunchtime. You can also make popsicles as an alternative sweet treat.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Now that you've got the excuses down, it's time to take initiative to increase your child's intake of water. Here are a few tricks you can try.

Teach Them Early

Parents have the responsibility to teach their children. As you nurture your child as they grow, highlight the importance of drinking water. You can also encourage them to drink water over other drinks like soda and juice. As they start learning how water keeps them healthy, their own desire to stay hydrated can increase.

Make It Fun

Helping your child stay hydrated can be as easy as getting a cool water bottle or cup to put water in. Make it fun! They may enjoy drinking water more if it's in their favorite spiderman cup or in a blue water bottle. Because you know your child best, find creative ways to encourage them to drink more water.

Create a Schedule

Help your active kids get on a schedule for drinking water, especially if they sweat a lot or do sports every day. Remind them that they need to drink more water when they are outside or exercising. Pick a schedule that works for them. This could be anything from drinking water before and after school, at every meal and in the morning when they wake up.

Drink More Yourself

Children follow the footsteps of their parents. Push yourself to drink more water, too! Water is good for everything in your body, especially the skin and hair. When you remind your children to drink water, remember to take a sip as well.

Because water is so important to the body, it's important to get enough each day. Children especially need to hydrate. As they continue to develop and grow, encourage them to drink and make water readily available for them. As they drink more, they will recognize how they feel healthier and more energetic throughout the day.