Drinking water throughout the day is a must for good health, in fact there isn’t a nutritionist out there who doesn’t stress the importance of drinking enough water. As good as water is for us though, it can often be a struggle to get in the recommended daily amount. This is especially true for children; it is estimated that up to 64% of school aged children are insufficiently hydrated. The really scary number however is that approximately twenty five percent of kids don’t drink any water – at all! We need to change those statistics, but how can we get our children to drink more water?

Kids can be stubborn little creatures, so the best way to get them to get on the water bandwagon is to convince them that they WANT to drink water. That might be easier said than done, however we have compiled a list of ideas that other parents have instituted successfully to get their children to not only drink more water, but enjoy doing so!

1. First and foremost, your drinking water must taste good. No one will want to drink a tall glass of water if it tastes bad or smells funky. A water filtration system can help with the taste and appearance, making it the best tasting water possible.

2. Make drinking water fun! Most kids love ice cubes, and that in and of itself can be a big incentive to drink water. Freezing some fruit in the cubes or using fun shaped ice cube trays takes it one step further. Of course silly straws and special cups reserved just for drinking water has also proven to be successful.

3. Another important tool is to make drinking water accessible. Most children love being independent; putting them in charge of their special “water cup” makes them feel important. Showing them how to use the ice maker and water dispenser on the fridge or how to work the faucet at the kitchen sink allows them to be “grown up.”

4. Lead by example; talk about how yummy water is and let them know how much better you feel when you get enough water to drink. Make sure you are filling up your glass frequently throughout the day and reminding them to fill up theirs as well. You can even have a water date where you sit down together and share a glass.

5. Limit the options on what is available for them to drink. If there is sugary soda or juice in the fridge, kids will be more prone to forgo the water and reach for something else. Since kids do like options though, allowing them to pick an add-in for their water can help. Fresh fruit or a sprig of mint can add just enough flavor to jazz it up and make it exciting to drink.

It takes a bit of ingenuity and a little bit of work to get kids on board with drinking water, but it is well worth it in the long run. They will feel so much better and it helps to keep them healthy and their growing bodies functioning properly.