We all know the importance of staying hydrated, especially in the summer heat, but getting your kids to drink water can sometimes be a challenge, especially if they are used to drinking sweet juices, sodas and sports drinks.
Water has has so many benefits, first off it's has zero calories and no added sugar; it keeps joints, bones, and teeth healthy; and can help kids maintain a healthy weight. Plus, water is much cheaper than sports drinks, sodas, and juice! As our families spend more time outside in the hot sun it's even more important to make sure we are all staying hydrated.
Encourage your kids to develop healthy lifelong habits. Embrace an old school approach by treating sugary drinks as occasional delights instead of daily staples. Once they experience the benefits of drinking water, they may not look back.
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Here are 10 ways to help kids stay hydrated:
1. Set a good example and drink your water too
Kids mimic you, so by making sure you're consistently drinking water rather than soda or other sugary beverages, you're setting a positive example and encouraging them to do the same.
2. Buy fun cups and special water bottles
Providing your kids with their own unique and appealing cups and bottles can make the act of drinking water more enjoyable and enticing for them. You'll find variety or reusable bottles available. My favorite are the insulated one, they can keep drinks cold even on a hot day. Macaroni tip: add some ice to your reusable water bottle before you head out to have cold water all day. I even do this when school starts and it's still hot out.
3. Make your own popsicles
Make it a fun family activity by letting kids make their own! You can use small paper cups to freeze a yummy water and fruit puree, or look for popsicle molds in fun shapes and colors. Macaroni tip: If you don't have popsicle molds you can use paper or plastic cups with a wooden stick.
4. Eat foods with high water content, like fresh fruit and vegetables
Incorporating water-rich foods into your children's diet not only provides them with hydration but also introduces healthy eating habits. Encourage kids to enjoy fruits and veggies like cucumbers, celery, and watermelons — all of which are made up of more than 90% water!
5. Make some Herbal Iced Tea
Natural herbal teas come on all sort of flavors your kids will love: from their favorite fruits to mint and ginger! They are great on their own or you can add a little bit of honey to sweeten it up.
6. Add a silly straw to their cup
Using a colorful or uniquely shaped straw can add an element of fun that can encourage your kids to sip on their water more frequently.
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How much water should your child drink?
7. Blend water and frozen fruit
Create a refreshing and flavorful twist by blending water with frozen fruit. This infused water not only provides a burst of taste but also makes hydration more enjoyable for your kids.
8. Make fun ice cubes like silly shapes, colors, or add fruit!
Freeze water in creative ice cube trays to make drinking water visually appealing. You can add colorful fruit pieces or use molds for fun shapes.
9. Play water pong
Adapt the popular party game by replacing alcohol with water. Set up cups on opposite sides of a table and take turns tossing ping pong balls into them. This game can turn hydration into an entertaining activity that encourages drinking water.
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10. Add fruit to their water
Enhance the flavor of water by adding slices of fresh fruit. Whether it's citrus fruits, berries, or cucumbers, infusing water with natural flavors can make it more enticing and encourage your kids to stay hydrated.
Now your ready to help your family up their water consumption! If you fridge has water on tap encourge your family to use it more. Time for a family meal? Place a pitcher of water on the table as a visual reminder to refill their glasses and drink more. Prepare for your next family outing by fill those reusable water bottles and sippy cups with some crystal clear and refreshing water.
Salud!
