How to Encourage Kids to Drink More Water Every Day

Posted on May 25, 2025

Getting children to drink enough water can sometimes feel like an uphill battle, especially with the temptation of sugary sodas and juices around every corner. But staying hydrated is essential for their growth, energy, and overall well-being. In this post, we’ll explore practical strategies to make drinking water fun and easy for your little ones. From turning hydration into a game to providing them with water that actually tastes good, we’ve got plenty of tips to keep your family healthy and hydrated. Stick around to learn how simple changes can make a big impact on your child's daily water intake.

Make Water Readily Accessible

The first step to encouraging kids to drink more water is ensuring that it’s always available and easy to reach. Children are more likely to choose water over other beverages when it’s right there in front of them. Keeping BPA-free bottles filled with clean, mineral-rich spring water in the fridge or packed in their backpacks makes a big difference. Convenience reduces resistance, especially when they’re busy with school, sports, or playtime. Imperial Water offers sturdy, safe bottles that make it easy for kids to sip throughout the day.

Additionally, having their own special water bottle can give children a sense of ownership over their hydration habits. Let them pick a bottle with their favorite color, character, or pattern to make the experience personal and enjoyable. A dedicated bottle that they carry everywhere subtly reinforces the idea that water is their go-to beverage. The more accessible and appealing their water is, the more likely they are to drink it without being reminded constantly. Making water a part of their routine helps it become second nature.

Set a Good Example

Children naturally mimic the behaviors of the adults around them, so modeling good hydration habits is essential. When your child sees you reaching for water regularly, they are more inclined to do the same. Demonstrate that you prioritize water by drinking it with meals, during activities, and on the go. This silent encouragement is often more effective than words alone. Showing how enjoyable and refreshing it is to drink water makes it more appealing to them.

Beyond simply drinking water yourself, talk about why you choose it and how it makes you feel. Mention how it keeps you energized, focused, or cool on a hot day. Use these moments as teaching opportunities to subtly reinforce the benefits of hydration. Kids appreciate honesty and are more likely to adopt habits when they understand the reasoning behind them. Your consistent actions and explanations set the foundation for their lifelong hydration choices.

Infuse Water With Natural Flavors

Sometimes, kids shy away from water because they perceive it as bland compared to juice or soda. A great way to combat this is by infusing water with natural flavors using fruits like strawberries, lemons, or oranges. These additions make water taste more exciting without introducing added sugars or artificial ingredients. Plus, it’s a fun activity to do together—letting your child choose the fruits they want to mix in encourages their involvement. It transforms hydration from a chore into an enjoyable ritual.

Incorporating herbs like mint or basil can add an extra layer of interest to their flavored water. Experimenting with different combinations also helps expand their palate in a healthy way. When kids realize that water can be both tasty and hydrating, they’re much more likely to reach for it. Keep a pitcher of fruit-infused spring water in the fridge for easy access throughout the day. With Imperial Water’s clean, mineral-rich base, these flavors really shine, making the experience even more satisfying.

Turn Hydration Into a Game

Children are naturally drawn to play, so turning water consumption into a fun challenge can be highly effective. Consider creating a simple hydration chart where they can mark off every glass or bottle they finish throughout the day. Offering small rewards for reaching their goals—like extra playtime or choosing a family movie—adds motivation without relying on unhealthy treats. These positive associations encourage them to view hydration as a fun and rewarding part of their routine. Over time, they’ll develop a sense of accomplishment tied to drinking water regularly.

You can also introduce quirky games like "Who can take the biggest sip?" or "Hydration hide-and-seek," where they find hidden water bottles around the house or yard. Making drinking water part of their play ensures that it doesn’t feel forced or obligatory. The key is to make these games light-hearted and flexible, focusing on fun rather than pressure. With these playful approaches, staying hydrated becomes an engaging experience they look forward to every day. The result? Happy, hydrated kids and less nagging from parents.

Educate About the Benefits in Kid-Friendly Language

Children are more likely to adopt healthy habits when they understand why those habits are important. Explaining hydration benefits in simple, relatable terms can help them connect with the concept. For example, telling them that water helps them "run faster," "think better," or "feel stronger" makes the idea concrete and appealing. Using age-appropriate language bridges the gap between knowledge and action. This approach empowers kids to make their own positive choices.

Storytelling can also be a powerful tool—create a fun narrative about a superhero who drinks water to gain energy or stay cool. Relating hydration to their favorite characters or activities builds enthusiasm and makes the lesson memorable. Children thrive on imaginative play, and weaving water into these stories reinforces its importance. The goal isn’t to overwhelm them with facts but to inspire them with ideas they can relate to. When kids understand how water benefits their daily life, they’ll be more motivated to drink it.

Offer Healthy Alternatives to Sugary Drinks

One of the biggest obstacles to getting kids to drink more water is the constant availability of sugary beverages. By minimizing the presence of sodas, fruit punches, and artificially flavored drinks at home, you reduce temptation. Instead, position spring water as the primary option for quenching thirst. Stocking the fridge with Imperial Water’s crisp, natural spring water makes the healthy choice the easy choice. This proactive approach helps kids develop a taste preference for water over time.

While occasional treats are fine, reinforcing water as the everyday drink creates healthier habits that will benefit them for life. Make it clear that special drinks are for special occasions, while water is for fueling their bodies every day. Gradually, their cravings for sweetened beverages will decrease, and water will become their go-to. Ensuring that the water you offer is high-quality and tastes great also makes the transition smoother. Imperial Water’s smooth, clean flavor sets it apart, making kids less likely to miss those sugary alternatives.

Establish a Consistent Hydration Routine

Children thrive on routine, and incorporating regular water breaks into their daily schedule helps ensure they stay adequately hydrated. Encourage them to drink water first thing in the morning, with meals, during playtime, and before bed. Consistency helps them internalize hydration as a normal and expected part of their day. Over time, these repeated actions form lasting habits that require less parental prompting. Setting these patterns early can influence their behavior well into adulthood.

You can also align their hydration schedule with their specific activities to make it feel more natural. For example, remind them to take a sip before heading out to play or after sports practice. Associating water breaks with certain moments helps reinforce the habit without it feeling arbitrary. Over time, these cues will trigger automatic responses, ensuring they stay hydrated even when you’re not there to remind them. With reliable access to safe, natural spring water, these routines are easy to maintain.

Helping kids develop healthy hydration habits doesn’t have to be a struggle; with the right strategies, it can be a positive and even enjoyable part of their daily lives. From making water accessible and fun, to modeling good behavior and offering delicious alternatives to sugary drinks, every small effort adds up to big results. Consistent hydration supports their energy, focus, and overall well-being, setting them up for a healthier future. If you’re looking for high-quality, mineral-rich spring water that your whole family will love, Imperial Water is here to help. Call us today at (888) 662-1622 to experience the refreshing difference that only pure, locally sourced water can make!