We’re well into summer here in the northern hemisphere. The weather here in Northern Ireland is usually a far cry from the dry, hot days of my first 3 decades on the Canadian Prairies. However, we have had some great heat here recently and with Phil off work, we’ve been taking full advantage of it by gardening, barbecuing, and doing beach crafts.

16 tips to stay hydrated
While us adults know when we are thirsty and we’ll stop our activities to have a drink, our little ones may not be able to verbalise how they are feeling or want to stop their play to rehydrate. Thus it’s extra-important for us to keep our children healthy and happy and hydrated during the warm weather.
Here are my top 16 tips on keeping kids hydrated:
- Start the day right by serving your children extra milk in their cereal along with a big drink on the side.
- Keep a jug of water in the fridge so that there will always be some refreshing, cold water ready for thirsty throats.
- For toddlers and preschoolers you can keep a child-sized jug in the fridge and let them pour their own water. They’ll think it’s a ‘cool’ novelty and at the same time they’re also working on their motor skills!
- If you are exclusively breastfeeding, there is no need to suppliment with water, just keep feeding your baby on demand and your body will adjust accordingly! Contact your local La Leche League group leader if you have any questions.
- Use a special cup if your child isn’t interested in drinking. Sometimes using a ‘grown up’ coffee mug will do the trick to make them feel special.
- If your child is old enough, be sure to use ice cubes in their drinks. Those magical little cubes keep melting and children love to watch the process and sip up the cold liquid.
- Serve chilled soup for lunch in a fancy glass and give it a new name. Soups that you use the blender for are perfect for this, such as carrot, squash & sweet potato, tomato, etc. My children love chilled soup and have it by their own requests.
- Make some healthy homemade popsicles for those extra hot days and when the children deserve a treat. Our latest batch was cranberry juice with pineapple chunks.
- Why not make a special thermal bottle to take with you when you’re out and about with the kids? Keep your water cool, look cool, and learn a little science at the same time!
- Serve lots of veggies for snacks. They are packed full of water, colourful, and can be served up many ways-slices, sticks, done up on a skewer.
- Throw a bottle of water into your car or stroller for future use. It may be warm later, but warm water is better than nothing if you’ve been caught up later than you expected while out. It can also be used to top up your radiator or window washer fluid levels in the event it is needed.
- If your little ones are tired of water and you need them to drink, add about 10% real fruit juice 90% water. This little bit of juice won’t have any nutritional content, and the acid isn’t good for young teeth between meals, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do to keep them drinking.
- Along the same vein, water is always best, but if you do treat your child to another drink between meal, be sure that there aren’t any artificial sweeteners in it. They can cause more harm than sugar. Always read your labels, drinks with bright coloured labels and cartoon characters rarely contain only fruit juice and water.
- Why not try making a smoothie for a snack. Throw some fruit, yoghurt, and milk in a blender and voila! Use a little extra milk and/or some ice cubes to increase the fluid content.
- Make good, old-fashioned lemonade. And while you are doing this, add a little float and sink science to it!
- And finally, now that you have the kids hydrated and happy, don’t forget about yourself. If you’re not hydrated you’ll not feel well and the kids need you happy and energetic, too!
What else would you add to this list? Please let us know what you do! Have a wonderful summer, no matter where you are or what you are doing!
See our page about beverages for more drink ideas, and browse through our summer fun page for ideas to keep the children busy and learning!

Laura M says
I had this on my list of things to look up today! Thanks for sharing, coming by from Tender Moments. Have a great day!
Crystal McClean says
I’m glad we could help, please let me know of any ideas you have 🙂
Missy Homemaker says
Important info for older kids too. My 5 year old will get so busy playing that he won’t want to stop to come get a drink. I have to call him in 🙂 Great post.
Crystal McClean says
So many things are more fun than water, keep up the great work calling your son in 🙂
Katy @ Experienced Bad Mom says
We like to keep water bottles filled in the fridge and then ready to take with us to sports, errands, etc. It’s also a bit frugal so I don’t have to buy them drinks when they get thirsty.
Crystal McClean says
We did that just this morning. The bottles make the kids feel ‘grown up’ and having a healthy, free drink is so much better than spending cash when you don’t need to 🙂 Thanks for sharing with us!
Stephanie says
Good tips! It’s topped out over 100 this summer here in Kansas, so we need all the help we can get!
Crystal McClean says
It seems to be hot across North America, the UK, and Europe all at once, which is unusual! I hope the tornados aren’t too bad out your way this year. Enjoy your summer and keep cool and refreshed!
becca says
What a great list! This is definitely one to bookmark!
Crystal McClean says
I’m pleased you’ve found my list useful 🙂 Have a great summer!
Tammy Doiel says
Great ideas–healthy too! It’s a scorcher where I live today!
Crystal McClean says
The sun is great, but it can be deadly. Have fun and spend some time in the shade while you are re-hydrating 🙂 Have a great summer!
Courtney Wilson says
Excellent ideas! We don’t drink nearly enough water around here 🙂
Crystal McClean says
It’s something we often forget 🙁 My mom is so good at remembering, i must try harder, too. Good luck!
Colleen @ MommieDaze says
Great tips! We have smoothies for lunch often when it’s hot.
Crystal McClean says
Smoothies are great, I must make them again, the kids do enjoy them, thanks for the reminder 🙂
ANn says
It’s HOT here right now and there isn’t much a/c in Germany. I really need to pay attention to your tips.
Crystal McClean says
Have fun and stay cool if you can. It doesn’t often get hot enough to wish for a/c here (unlike ‘home’), but it has been too warm at night – we’ve actually taken cold water bottles to bed with us 🙂
Bex Harding BusyBeeMummyBex says
Great blog post & certainly gave me a few ideas! 🙂 x
Crystal McClean says
I’m so glad you were able to get a new idea 🙂 Have a terrific summer!
Carrie says
Some great ideas!! We bought glass water bottles and I always bring them in the car with us. I am finding my daughter is finally drinking more water. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!
Crystal McClean says
Glass is coming back into fashion, isn’t it? And they would be much easier to clean and last longer than plastic 🙂 Great job bringing them along. I’m missing not using our stroller any more-it was like a portable trunk for me-now I have to carry everything on my back-including the water. Have a great summer!