Regardless of whether your child is an athlete or not, it’s crucial that they get enough water. Every system in our bodies depends on proper hydration.
How to get kids to drink more water? There are many ways to use such as encouraging and teaching them to use the water dispenser on the refrigerator or the faucet to fill their cup. Create a system of rewards for your child when they drink more water. If your child drinks their water, reward them with a sticker, or perform a special dance when they hand you an empty bottle.
You can use the simple advice presented in this article. Keep reading!
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How Much Water Does Your Kid Need To Drink?
At six months old, infants can begin consuming water. They only require four to eight ounces of water because milk will suffice to hydrate them the rest of the way.
Children between the ages of one and three should consume four cups of either milk or water each day. From the time they turn four years old until the time they turn eight years old, you should increase their intake by up to five cups.
Even though these are the liquid intake recommendations for kids of a certain age, your child’s hydration requirements will rise in hot weather, with increased physical activity, or due to illnesses like the flu or a cold.
How To Get Kids To Drink More Water?
- Use frozen fruit in place of ice cubes or consider buying mustache straws.
- Infuse your water with flavor by adding fruits like berries, cucumbers, lemons, and limes.
- Start with yourself. One of the best ways to instill in your child good hydration practices is to set an example for them to follow. Your children will learn what healthy hydration looks like in practice if you refrain from drinking sugary beverages or juices and instead drink water the majority of the time.
- Freeze ice cube trays with berries and add this to your water to keep it extra cold.
- Provide your child with their own special drinking cup.
- Buy tiny water bottles (4 or 8 ounces) that are easy for kids to hold and drink. Show them how to use the water dispenser on the refrigerator or how to fill up their cup at the faucet.
- When your child drinks more water, establish a reward system. Give your child a sticker as a reward for drinking water, or perform a special dance when they hand you an empty bottle.
- Carry a water bottle. One for each child should be kept in the car, in their backpack, on trips, and in the refrigerator at home.
- Freeze some freezer-safe water bottles for ice-cold water all day long.
- Drink water instead of things with added sugar. Your child (or you) will save about 240 calories by drinking water in place of one 20-ounce sugar-sweetened soda. Fruit juices, sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade, and regular soda all contain added sugar.
- Choose water instead of other beverages when eating out. In general, you will reduce calories and save money.
- Keep water available. Make water accessible to your kids so they will drink more of it. Purchase water bottles in children’s sizes so that your child can carry them around more easily.
Tips For Making Kids Drink More Water
Use An App
You can get a water-tracking and reminder app for your child’s tablet or smartphone. Not to scare or punish them, but to make drinking water something to look forward to.
There are many both free and paid options, but the following are some of the more kid-friendly apps:
- Carbodroid. Use this Android app to charge up a cute little robot instead of a plant. Additionally, it provides reminders and has an easy-to-use interface.
- Plant Nanny. By keeping track of your water intake, pick a seedling and assist it in growing. Ads and upsells are present because this app is free, so they are to be expected. Additionally, unlike other hydration apps, it doesn’t provide reminders. Even so, it’s adorable, and enjoyable, and adds visual appeal to the process of drinking water.
Make sure your child isn’t using any apps that promote diet culture, and link water intake to weight, size, and other factors.
Set A Hydration Example
You and the other adults in your child’s life can set an example by frequently reaching for water, carrying a water bottle, looking for water fountains, etc.
By creating a sticker chart, you can make it more enjoyable for your entire family to meet their daily water goals.
Have The Potty Talk
Lighter urine is an indication that your body is receiving the necessary amount of hydration, while darker urine may indicate dehydration. Young children need assistance monitoring their general level of hydration. Instruct older children to get a glass of water or to refill their water bottles if their urine appears darker.
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