Flavored Water for Kids Plus Essential Benefits of Water!
Water! We all need it, especially kids! Did you know:
- Losing only 5% of water causes headache, fatigue, confusion, forgetfulness, elevated heart rate.
- Water regulates body temperature.
- Water dilutes toxins and flushes them out.
- Provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues.
- Carries nutrients to your cells
- Water lubricates joints, improves skin, cushion’s body’s organs, and repairs tissue.
And lastly, we like to believe drinking plenty of water helps shorten the duration of common colds and flu’s (although I wasn’t able to find any studies to support this!! Do you know of any?). About 2 weeks ago, a nasty little virus made it’s way into my house! I strictly ordered the kids to increase their water intake and figured I needed to do a few things to make it happen.
How I get kids to drink more water!
- I first buy a case of bottled water. My husband and I have fought about the purchase of bottled water for years! He thinks bottling companies are ripping us off big time, considering you can get water for free- but once in a while, when the convenience factor is important to me, I grab some! The kids really do drink more water when I get some and desperate times call for desperate measures.
- I flavor some! Save the cucumber and lemon flavored water for baby showers! My kids won’t drink it. However, water flavored with simply fruit is familiar and tasty! We don’t add veggies, we don’t add herbs or spices- just fruit. If your kids are used to you diluting their juices with water anyway, it shouldn’t be too different for them. We made some up yesterday. We took four separate re-usable water bottles and chopped up strawberries using a good fruit and veggie knife. In a separate bottles we added oranges, pineapple, and kiwi! One in each water bottle and chilled in the fridge. They are ready to go in a pinch and as soon as someone gets thirsty!
- Finally- Be an example!! Do your kids see you chugging the water? Don’t expect them to drink up if you aren’t!
Here is a peak inside my fridge with our water bottles:
Do your kids like flavored waters? What combination- or single ingredient is their favorite?
Natalie Monson
I'm a registered dietitian, mom of 4, avid lover of food and strong promoter of healthy habits. Here you will find lots of delicious recipes full of fruits and veggies, tips for getting your kids to eat better and become intuitive eaters and lots of resources for feeding your family.
Learn More about Natalie
Where did you find the water bottles with different colored spouts? My son’s favorite color is yellow and I think he’d be more excited about using the bottle if it was yellow 🙂
Such a nice idea! Where did you find those water bottles??
They are at Walmart by the other water bottles and tupperware! Only 0.97 and BPA free!
So true that kids look to their parents. My kids always want to drink what me or Daddy is drinking. Too bad Daddy usually drinks soda
I love your creative idea for giving them fruit flavored water! Kids are so picky about certain foods and drinks that it is important for parents to find ways for them to get all the essential nutrients they need each day. Do your kids also enjoy drinking water melon flavored water?
Mellon is delicious. Both one on its own or a mixture.
We haven’t tried melon yet! Sounds interesting.
How long do you need to leave the fruit in, for the water to taste flavored?
Likewise … kept in the fridge how long does it last, do you think? 🙂
I have my little one make her own fruit flavor water. she loves doing this, We cut the fruit into small pieces and freeze them. When we leave the house she can pick the fruit and add it to the water. This also helps keep the water cold longer. She loves grapes and strawberries in hers. Thank You
I love this idea. My son loves water, it is all he drinks 6-7 days a week, but I am doing snacks for his flag football team this weekend. I am thinking of doing this instead of plain water but not sure if the kids will dig it. If I brought strawberries for kids who want to try it, will the water be flavored enough? Or does the fruit need to sit in the water for some time before you can taste it?
I think it tastes best sitting in the water for a few hours. Not necessarily overnight, but a few hours is good!
Great idea to freeze the fruit! Like little fruity ice cubes!!
Flavored Drinks are fine as long as kids love drinking them and there are no side effects.
Thanks for the idea. Is the opening on the water bottle large enough to get the fruit in or do you have to chop it extra small?
yes, the opening was very small, so we chopped things up very small.
I freeze fruit in small pieces, and when I serve the water I add some frozen fruit, it serves as ice and chills the water, and when they are finished they eat the fruit as a dessert, since it is already cut down in small pieces… I have a 6 and 2 year old boys…
Great idea Paola
My kids prefer room temperature water. Can these fruit infused waters sit on the counter?
@Esti- I think I would hesitate to do that. It seems like there would be more opportunity to grow mold or bacteria that way. 🙁
Walmart carries water bottles with a section in the middle to put your fruit! I love it! They’re in the kitchen section.
Yes Mandy!! I’ve seen them at Walmart. Gotta get one.
This is just like a thirst quencher.
Frozen raspberries in water is one of my favorites!! Keeps the water cold, gives it a good flavor, and you get a yummy surprise when your done.
For a while now, I have been noticing how my youngest daughter avoids drinking water. I guess its only natural as children like drinks on the sweeter. Since then, I started looking into flavored water for sale as a way to get her to drink more water. I came across your article in my research and I must say, my favorite point has to be where you mentioned if your kids are used to you diluting their juices with water anyway, it shouldn’t be too different for them to drink fruit favored water. You make a really good point here, which I’m sure many parents like me will be happy to keep in mind. Thank you so much!