Children historically do not like to drink water, which is not a good thing ,as they, above all, need to drink water regularly in order to function optimally and so that they can grow into healthy adults
A child’s body is made up of about 75 – 80% water, more than what is in an adult’s body, and because they are normally so active and are also learning and growing, they need to drink water even more than an adult needs to.
Of course the problem is to get children to like drinking water instead of soft drinks and even fruit juices all the time. Sodas or soft drinks contain a lot of sugar, which is not healthy as it can create weight problems, dental health problems and various other health problems. Juice is fine, as it generally contains quite a bit of water, but some of the other chemicals used to preserve the juice and the added sugars are not that healthy either.
Ideas on How to Get Your Children to Drink Water
If you , like most parents, are struggling to get your children to drink water as often as they should, here are a few ideas that could help:
- Water Bottles:Buy your kids some funky fun water bottles, preferably metal, as they will not break as easily as plastic ones, and the plastic might leech toxins into the water. Fill a bottle with water from a water cooler, which is really chilled so will stay cool for a long time, and pack it in their bag for school, sports or other outings.
- Get a Water Cooler: Children just love water coolers as they are very cool looking and they love playing “barman†for their friends. Water from a water cooler is chilled and tastes much better than water from a tap, and depending on the model you get, it may even dispense ambient and hot water as well, which means that they can make themselves hot chocolate in the winter without having to boil a kettle.
- Additives: When I say additives, I am not talking about chemicals, sweeteners or preservatives, but about fresh fruit – adding some lemon, orange or berries to your child’s drinking water bottle will make them enjoy it more and therefore drink more water during the day, keeping them hydrated and functioning like a pro.
- Activities: Yes, taking your child swimming, walking on the beach, canoeing or river rafting will get them more interested in drinking water, as they will learn all about different waters and the importance of water to humans and animals alike.
- Drink More Water: If you want your children to drink more water then you will have to lead by example. If you do not like the taste of water, add some mint leaves to your water for a lovely refreshing drink, or iced lemon cubes that melt slowly so that the water stays cool even if it is in a jug on your table or desk.
