Staying hydrated is one of the essential parts of the summer. Not only because it helps you perform better and feel better, but it can also be hazardous if you aren’t hydrated. This fact is especially true for children between the ages of 2-5 years. Children of this age typically love to enjoy themselves during summer outdoors, playing on some of the best playground equipment for 2–5-year-olds they can find.
Read on to learn some tips and tricks on how to make sure your kids stay hydrated this summer.
Explain Why It’s Important to Take Care of Their Body
Many kids don’t care about staying hydrated because they don’t care that much about taking care of their bodies in the first place! The best thing you can do for your kids is to explain how much our bodies do for us and how it’s our job to keep our bodies healthy and safe – understanding the “why” is often the first step for children. Whenever kids play for long hours on various parks playground equipmentwith other children their age, it’s vital to encourage them to take breaks from time to time to stay hydrated.
Let Them Choose a Water Bottle
There are hundreds and hundreds of water bottles to choose from. And each kid wants something different! The more child-friendly and fancy their water bottle, the more likely they are to drink from it. Here are some unique water bottle features you can find:
- Water bottles with filters built-in
- Water bottles with a compartment for infusing fruit
- Water bottles in the shape of an armband
- Water bottles with Bluetooth speakers
Tell Them What the Signs of Dehydration Are
Here is another practical tip that many parents don’t know. If you yell, “Tommy, you’re getting dehydrated! You need to drink!” then Tommy is drinking because you said so. But if Tommy knows what it feels like to be dehydrated, then he’ll reach for the water bottle himself when you aren’t there.
Signs of dehydration include:
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Overheating
- Dry mouth
- Irritability.
Give Them a Straw at Dinner
Did you know that kids and adults alike are more likely to drink out of a cup if the cup has a straw in it? It’s true, and you can try it out on yourself sometimes. This means that the power of straws can help keep you and your kids hydrated! A great way to take advantage of this brain hack is by giving your kids straws in their water cups at dinner time.
And don’t worry- you don’t have to ruin the environment while doing so. There are plenty of metal and rubberized surfaces available in unique colors and patterns. And many of them even come with tools to help clean them out quickly. So, find a straw that is perfect for your kiddo, and get sipping!
Make Water Yummy
Everything tastes better with some extra flavor added. When it comes to natural flavorings, the possibilities are endless. Here are a few flavors to add to your kiddo’s water bottle before they head out for the day:
- Mint leaves
- Lemon or lime juice
- Cucumber slices
- Teabags
- Watermelon juice
You can add just about anything safe and delicious to the water, so get creative. Don’t be afraid to let the kids try something new and create their flavor concoctions.
Hydration is critical, especially for children. Hopefully, these tips and tricks will help your kiddos stay hydrated all summer long. Good luck!
