Helpful Ways to Teach Your Kids How to Get Hydrated Everyday

Water makes up nearly 60% of your body, and every single cell, muscle group, and vital organ requires access to a steady supply of water to operate effectively. 

Unfortunately, it can often feel like a challenge to get your kids to drink water and stay hydrated. They’ll often avoid drinking water in favor of something more sweet and artificial, like sugary juices and fizzy sodas. 

Why is it So Important that Your Kids Drink Water? 

There are several key reasons why your kids should drink water, and it’s useful to be aware of these so you can explain them to your child. 

Transports essential nutrients around your body 

When you drink water, this liquid is absorbed through your intestines and stomach into your body’s bloodstream. As it flows around your body, the water carries vital nutrients to all your major muscle groups, allowing you to function properly. Water also transports oxygen to every part of your body, which enables your cells to break down sugar and create the energy needed for you to survive. 

The water in your bloodstream also helps to flush out unwanted waste and toxins. If you don’t drink enough water, you may experience problems with your liver and colon. Your colon contains water receptors that leach water from the body’s bloodstream to soften your stool, and without enough water, you’ll experience digestive issues and constipation. Your kidneys can’t function correctly without sufficient water, making it more difficult for your body to get rid of damaging toxins.  

Helps to regulate and control body temperature 

Your skin’s middle layer is called the dermis, and it stores a lot of water. On a hot day, that stored water combines with salt that naturally occurs in your body to produce sweat, which helps cool you down. 

This means that you must remember to keep drinking water whenever you sweat or exercise so you can replenish these vital fluid stores in your skin layer. If you don’t drink enough water, you risk suffering from fatigue, heatstroke, and, in extreme cases, death. 

Increases quality of physical performance 

There are many reasons why you should drink water during intense activity to strengthen your overall performance. Water helps transport oxygen to your cells, so you’re able to create more energy to lift weights or finish an aerobic cardio session. 

Also, drinking water helps you to hydrate your muscles effectively; water carries crucial electrolytes like sodium, magnesium, potassium, and calcium to your muscle groups. Without these electrolytes, your muscles won’t be able to contract properly, leading to involuntary spasms, physical stiffness, or loss of functionality. 

Useful Tips on How to Get Your Kids to Drink More Water Everyday

There are several tips you could use to get your kids to drink more water every day, from introducing a reward-based system to infusing drinking water with fruit. 

Explain why they should drink more water in the first place

Most of the time, kids want to know the reason why you’re asking them to do something. Sit down with your child to explain why it’s essential that they drink more water and stay hydrated throughout the day. If they love playing soccer or tennis, tell them how drinking water during practices and matches improves their physical performance and helps them win games. 

If your kid enjoys reading in the sunshine or hosting outdoor tea parties with their friends, explain how drinking water allows them to stay healthy, happy and energized during their time in the sun. 

Give them flavored water 

Your child might know that it’s essential to consume water but complain that it’s tasteless and boring to drink. Try adding a bit of flavor to the water by adding some frozen strawberries or pineapple to their glass. 

Pick fruit that your kids enjoy: for example if they like drinking orange juice or love eating orange-flavored candy, mix some freshly squeezed orange juice with a glass of drinking water. You could also try adding orange slices, strawberries, cucumber, or blueberries to their water and let them pick their favorite. If your child drinks lots of fruit juice, try diluting that juice with water. This can help them become more comfortable drinking water regularly and reduce their sugar intake. 

There are plenty of flavored water options at the grocery store, but if you’re going to buy these drinks, avoid any with an excessive amount of artificial flavors, colors, and processed sugars. The healthiest option is to buy an infuser bottle or juice mixer so you can create flavored water that only contains natural sugars. 

Get them a fun, personalized reusable water bottle 

Another fun way to encourage your kids to drink more water is to purchase a quirky water bottle. They can carry this bottle around with them wherever they go, from the local park to their classroom at school.

Make it a more interactive experience by allowing your child to pick out the water bottle they want. If they love the look of their water bottle, they’ll be far more likely to bring it to school and their soccer, field hockey, or basketball games. 

You should try to get your kids in the habit of carrying a reusable water bottle from as young an age as possible. Buy a bottle for yourself and use it regularly to show your children how important this habit is. 

Agree on a suitable reward system for drinking more water

If you’re struggling to get your child to drink more water, you might consider introducing a reward system. Sit down and discuss this with your kids so you can draw up a suitable regime together. 

Most children are more likely to do something they might not normally do if they know they’ll receive a reward at the end of it. Try adopting a points or stickers-based system: if they drink a certain amount of water throughout the week, you can reward them with a fun family experience or a special activity.    

"Water carries crucial electrolytes like sodium, magnesium, potassium, and calcium to your muscle groups"