Lets talk hydration for a minute. Vermont isn't known as a dry desert, but high temperatures in any climate can be dangerous, and proper hydration is key. The athletically inclined and health conscious among us will know that already, but its amazing how difficult it can be to remember to do something as simple as drink enough water. And busy kids - especially young ones - are unlikely to think of water intake as an important part of their day.
So what is "enough?" We've all heard you should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day, or 64 ounces. But health experts at the Mayo Clinic, for one, suggest that some people may actually need as much as 125 ounces depending on health, weight, and activity levels. Eight 8oz glasses is a great rule of thumb, easy to remember, and will definitely help keep most people from getting dehydrated. The goal is really to drink fluids even when you're not feeling thirsty. But especially when you're talking about kids, that can be a tall order. A lot of kids don't naturally gravitate toward drinking water, and with all the more flavorful options out there these days, water often sounds like the very boring and much less appealing option.
Here are five ideas to keep your kids hydrated this summer!
- Make It Personal
- Your kids are much more likely to be excited about their water intake if they get to pick out a fun water bottle of their own.
- Let them personalize a cup or water bottle with stickers, permanent markers, or a name label.
- Make Ice Pops
- What could be more perfect on a hot summer day? Use popsicle molds, paper cups, or even ice cube trays.
- Mix in a few drops of fruit juice, a little fruit puree, or a squeezable water flavor.
- Add Fruit
- Do you get excited about cucumber water at the day spa? Maybe your kids would too!
- Try other fruits like berries, orange slices, or watermelon cubes for a splash of color and flavor.
- Add Color
- Add a few drops of food color to make it more interesting.
- Add food color to ice cube trays and make a rainbow in your glass.
- Blend A Smoothie
- Disguise all of your nutrition needs at once! Water content in a smoothie is high, and its also a great way to add fruit and nutrients to your diet.
- Experiment with extras like spinach or avocado for an added nutrition boost.
