How to Get Kids to Drink More Water

Water is free of calories, fat, sugar, additives and preservatives, and is more hydrating than other beverages, making it the best choice for your child, says dietitian Keli Hawthorne in the article "Does My Child Really Need to Drink Water?" for the pregnancy and parenting website Baby Center. However, it can be difficult to encourage kids to drink water instead of other more flavorsome drinks. Persevere and your kids will soon get into the habit of reaching for water whenever they need a drink.

Things You'll Need

  • Sippy cup or water bottle
  • Straw
  • Fruit-flavored water or pure fruit juice
  • Lemon or orange

Instructions

    • 1

      Look for signs of your child being thirsty. Give her a bottle of water and suggest she takes five sips. Even if she thinks she's not thirsty, she may realize she is when she starts drinking and ends up drinking a lot more than five sips.

    • 2

      Leave a sippy cup (if you have a toddler) or a water bottle (for an older child) within reach of your child. Whenever he is thirsty, he'll automatically reach for it and take a drink, no matter what's in it.

    • 3

      Add ice to your child's cup when you fill it with water. Lots of kids like the sound of the ice rattling around. Make it even more fun by giving her a straw to drink water with. Let her blow bubbles and enjoy the sensation of sucking the water up through the straw.

    • 4

      Add a light fruit-flavored water or pure fruit juice to water to sweeten it. You child will still receive all the health benefits of the water, but it will be more appealing to her if she doesn't like the taste of plain water. Even a splash of fruit juice to water gives it more flavor. Pop a slice of lemon or squeeze a little orange into the water for a similar effect.

    • 5

      Purchase a special cup for your child to drink his water from. Let him choose whatever color or design he wants, such as one with his favorite cartoon character or superhero on it. Get him excited about it by telling him his new cup will turn his water into "Superhero Water!" If you only let him drink water (or water with a tiny splash of juice in it) out of his amazing new cup, it may just become his most-requested drink.

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