Hydration Tips For Active Kids
There are three important reasons to keep your kids hydrated during the Spring & Summer months and there are plenty of ways you can help them get their daily intake.
Know What They Need
Active kids of all ages have different water requirements. Many experts suggest the following for proper hydration:
- Girls and boys, ages 1-3: 5.5 cups
- Girls and boys, ages 4-8: 6 t0 8 cups
- Girls, ages 9-13: 8.5 cups
- Boys, ages 9-13: 10 cups
Make sure they drink one-half to 2 cups of water every 20 minutes while they are active.
Be a Good Role Model
Your kids want to be just like you, so if you drink water, they may want to as well.
Diversify the Hydration Process
Besides water, there are other ways to keep your kids hydrated:
- Feed them water-rich foods: These count toward their daily intake. Some options include grape tomatoes, celery, lettuce, watermelon, cucumbers, strawberries and peaches.
- Make watered down juice: Add a little flavor to water. Water down a bottle of 100% fruit juice or put frozen fruit in the water instead of ice cubes.
Signs of Dehydration
While these hydration tips should be enough to keep your little one sipping on water, it's important that you're able to recognize the signs of dehydration, as well. Some early warnings include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Sleepiness
Active kids need plenty of water to stay energized and focused. Use these five hydration tips to keep your children healthy and happy all day long.