Staying Hydrated

Keeping your kids hydrated can help keep them healthy, happy and active.

Keeping your kids hydrated can help keep them healthy, happy and active. In fact, water makes up more than half of your child's body weight and plays an important role in keeping their body functioning properly. Water serves many important functions

  • Transports nutrients to cells.
  • Lubricates joints and muscles.
  • Supports proper digestion.
  • Helps ensure proper blood circulation.
  • Keeps body temperature regulated.

But kids don't care about how healthy it is to drink water. They want to drink a fun beverage, something that tastes good. Here are some simple tips to keep your kids hydrated and asking for more.

Give Kids a Special Cup
Let your child have a special water cup. They may be more likely to drink water if it's out of a special princess cup or cartoon-character themed water bottle.

Add Fun Flavor
If your child doesn't like the taste of water, add chopped fruit for a fun, tasty twist. Try strawberries, raspberries, lemons or limes for a fruity flavor.

Hydrate With Food1
Many fruits and vegetables have high water content and are a good source of hydration. Watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, cucumber, celery and tomatoes are some foods with the highest water content.

1 http://kidshealth.org/en/kids/water.html Accessed December 7, 2017.