How are you all staying cool during this heatwave? Between taking day trips to the beach, running through playground sprinklers, and swimming in the pool, kids can keep busy–but are they staying hydrated? While water is always fun to play in, kids usually don’t like to drink it in large quantities, opting for sugar-filled drinks, like concentrated fruit juices instead. This summer, try to encourage a healthy interest in H2O! And if you’re looking for some juice alternatives to dole out in moderation, check out these healthy variations to keep little sippers cool and hydrated.
The new Vita Coco Kids coconut water beverage is made especially for children. It’s blended with natural fruit flavors to give it a sweet taste that little ones will love. And it has half the amount of sugar as the leading kids’ juices, minus the artificial sweeteners and preservatives–so parents will love it just as much. Its smart ingredients alone make Vita Coco Kids an easy choice. What’s more, it comes in three fun flavors: Paradise Punch, Very Cherry Beach, and Apple Island. Plus, the Vita Coco Kids team recommends sticking them in the freezer for homemade ice pops. We think that’s a pretty cool idea for staying hydrated at home.
As any parent knows, refreshments need to meet a certain level of “cool” to really attract kids–be it characters or colors. And WAT-AAH! hits the nail on the head as a fun and funky, neon-hued water brand by kids for kids. WAT-AAH! contains substances like electrolytes and magnesium that focus on strengthening different parts of the body. Each bottle—Energy, pH+, Power, Brain, and Body—is designed with a formula that targets healthy hydration, bone growth, better brain function, and natural energy. Pretty sophisticated for water if you ask us!
BOT Enhanced Water is great for thirsty kids and adults. It’s a low-calorie, flavored water that uses pure cane sugar for subtle sweetness. The formula contains B vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and antioxidants. Available in a variety of flavors, each family member can pick a favorite: Key Lime, Valencia Orange, Blue Plum, Mixed Berry, Meyer Lemon, and Concord Grape.
Honest Kids is an organic, low-sugar drink sweetened only with fruit juice. Each refreshing pouch contains 30-42% fruit juice and is a perfect fit for your kids’ summer camp lunchbox. Different fruit juices are combined to create exciting flavors, such as: Appley Ever After, Berry Berry Good Lemonade, Goodness Grapeness, Super Fruit Punch, and Tropical Tango Punch.
Finally, if you want flavored water that’s totally natural, here’s the secret: Make your own. All you have to do is customize the flavor with your child’s choice of fruit and let it sit for a couple of hours in the fridge. (It takes about as long as a quick game of duck-duck-goose!) Of course, the longer the fruits soak in the water, the more flavor it will have, so plan accordingly. Looking for ideas? Here’s a complete list of fruit and veggie combos to try from the 52 Kitchen Adventures blog. Our favorite? Pineapple and mango for a summery refreshment!
