Getting adults to properly hydrate is hard enough, but what about kids? Children, as it seems, require the same amount of water that an adult needs, yet it can be extremely difficult to ensure that they are getting the proper amount of fluid in their diet. Today, we’re going to show you a few ingenious ways to encourage your kids to stay properly hydrated that are sure to be a hit!
Contrary to popular belief, we all do not get our primary source of fluid from water alone. Instead, a large portion of the fluids in our diet comes from fruits and vegetables, especially ones with a high water content. So, try to offer your children fruit and vegetables that are high in water content, such a blueberries, watermelon, celery, broccoli, and cucumbers. Not only will they hydrate, but they will be a healthy summertime snack!
For kids, water can be boring and bland in a world filled with sugary, colorful drinks. To make plain water more appealing, infuse it with fresh fruits, herbs, and vegetables! Try adding in fresh strawberries, mint, or cucumber into water to make it taste better, and add several key nutrients. There are plenty of water infusion recipes online, but don’t be hesitant to try your own creation.
Our final recommendation for keeping your kids hydrated is to create a reward system based upon how much water your kids drink. Set up a dry-erase board on the refrigerator, and have your kids mark down every time they have a glass of water. Institute a threshold, say 6 glasses of water in a day, and whenever your kids meet it reward them with ice cream, a Popsicle, or maybe an half-hour extension to their bed time.
Getting kids to drink their water may seem like quite the challenge, but with some simple knowledge and a creative mind, anything is possible. For more hydration tips and water facts, be sure to check back every Tuesday and Thursday for our latest blog!
