How to Get Kids to Drink More Water
Keeping kids hydrated is essential for their energy, mood, and focus, but getting them to drink enough water every day can be a challenge. With a few simple strategies and the right tools, you can make hydration fun, easy, and stress-free. Décor’s range of child-friendly drink bottles makes water accessible, portable, and appealing for little hands.
How Much Water Do Kids Really Need?
Hydration needs vary depending on age, activity level, and the weather. While every child is different, these guidelines are a helpful starting point:
- Toddlers (1–3 years): 1–1.3 litres per day
- Young children (4–8 years): 1.2–1.7 litres per day
- Older children (9–13 years): 1.5–2.4 litres per day
Active days, hot weather, or sports sessions will increase fluid requirements. Encourage kids to take small sips throughout the day rather than trying to drink large amounts all at once.
Tip: Keep a water bottle within reach during meals, school, and play to reinforce steady hydration.
Why Kids Might Not Drink Enough
Understanding why children don’t reach their daily water intake makes it easier to help them:
- Forgetfulness or distraction: Kids can get caught up in play or homework.
- Taste preferences: Plain water may feel boring compared to sweet drinks.
- Fiddly bottles: Hard-to-open lids or heavy bottles can discourage use.
- Sugar preference: Juice or soft drinks often win over water.
- Temperature aversion: Many kids dislike warm water, especially in summer.
Once you know the barriers, you can make water more appealing with fun routines, bottles, and flavours.
Signs Your Child May Need More Water
Look out for these early indicators of dehydration:
- Tiredness or irritability
- Dark-yellow urine
- Complaints of thirst
- Dry lips or skin
- Trouble concentrating
Persistent signs should be checked with a healthcare professional. Early hydration support helps maintain energy, focus, and overall health.
Simple Ways to Encourage Hydration
Make Water Easy to Reach
- Keep bottles within arm’s reach at home, school, and activities.
- Choose lightweight, easy-open bottles designed for little hands.
- Place bottles in visible spots like dining tables or desks to remind kids to sip regularly.
Choose Fun, Kid-Friendly Bottles
- Colourful bottles, patterns, or favourite characters make drinking water exciting.
- Let kids pick a bottle at the start of each school year to encourage ownership.
- Décor Hydrofit bottles feature straws, flip lids, and easy-grip designs that make sipping fun: Décor Hydrofit range
Add Natural Flavours
- Infuse water with berries, citrus, cucumber, or mint.
- Freeze fruit in ice blocks for visually appealing drinks.
- Use infusion-friendly bottles for flavour without added sugar.
Make Hydration Part of the Routine
- Link drinking water to daily activities, like after brushing teeth or before school.
- Set small family hydration goals and celebrate successes.
- Create charts or sticker systems for younger children to track progress.
Keep Water Cold and Refreshing
- Chilled water is generally more appealing to children.
- Insulated Décor bottles maintain temperature for hours, perfect for school, sports, and play: Insulated bottles
- Tip: Add reusable ice cubes to keep drinks cold without diluting flavour.
Make Drinking Water Fun
- Reward children with stickers or small incentives for finishing bottles.
- Introduce hydration challenges, e.g., “finish three bottles before lunch.”
- Get creative with colourful ice cubes or fruit infusions.
Décor Bottles Designed for Kids
Décor’s drink bottle range is built for convenience, fun, and durability:
- Straw and Sipper Bottles: Perfect for younger children, encourage frequent sipping.
- Insulated Bottles: Keep water cold for hours, great for school or sport.
- Leakproof Bottles: Prevent messy spills in backpacks.
- BPA-Free & Durable: Safe, long-lasting and easy to clean.
Hydration Tips for School and Sport
Packing Water for School
- Make bottles easy for kids to open independently.
- Label bottles to avoid mix-ups.
- Store in accessible backpack pockets for quick sips between lessons.
Keeping Kids Hydrated During Sport or Hot Weather
- Encourage water before activities.
- Pack larger or insulated bottles for longer sessions.
- Add ice to keep drinks refreshing.
- Use bottles designed for durability: Sports bottles
Kids’ Hydration FAQs
How do I get my child to drink more water?
Keep water bottles visible, let children choose fun bottles, pair hydration with daily routines, and make it playful with stickers or games.
Which drink bottles are best for kids?
Lightweight, easy-open, and durable. Straw or sipper bottles help younger children drink without spills, while insulated bottles keep water cold all day. Décor Hydrofit and sports bottles are ideal.
How can I keep water cold?
Insulated bottles, ice cubes, and pre-chilled water are perfect for long days. Encourage regular sips so water doesn’t sit unused.
Is fruit-infused water safe for kids?
Yes! Use fresh fruit, herbs, or veggies for natural flavour. Ice cubes with frozen fruit make it fun and visually appealing. Avoid added sugar.
How much water should children drink?
Young children need 1–1.7 litres, older children up to 2.4 litres. Frequent sips throughout the day are better than large drinks all at once. Extra water may be needed for hot days or sports.
What if my child prefers juice or soft drinks?
Limit sugary drinks. Make water fun with bottles or infusions and reserve sweet drinks as occasional treats.
Make Hydration Fun Every Day
Small, consistent habits make it easy for kids to stay hydrated. With child-friendly, high-quality drink bottles from Décor, daily hydration can be enjoyable for children and convenient for parents.
