Following on from my post last week about the Brita back to school hydration challenge, Miss M has now successfully used her Brita Fill & Go bottle for a whole week at school so I’m keen to share with you how she got on. #BetterWithBRITA
Some of the facts Brita found out about children and how much water they drink are:
- Almost thee quarters of parents (73%) do not know how much their children drink whilst at school
- Two thirds (66%) do not know the recommended daily intake of fluid for children
So 7yr old Miss M went to school armed with her new bottle, it can be used with or without the internal straw, but she prefered without and just liked to tip it up. Each day after school I asked her to show me how much water was left in the bottle and how many times she had filled it up.
The bottle holds 600ml and it’s recommended that your child drinks two of these during the school day which I do think is a lot. I was surprised to hear that Miss M had filled her bottle two times every day last week and each day she only came back with about an inch of water in the bottle which I think is excellent – she must have been drinking at least a litre of water during the school day which even she said is much more than she usually does.The stickers on the side of the bottle definitely helped and she was motivated by them and wanted to drink the amount of water as per the guide on the stickers. I think talking about it with her each day also helped as it kept her focused on how much she drunk and she was eager to show me her bottle at the end of each day.
I think the Brita Fill & Go with stickers has really motivated my daughter to think about how much she is drinking and also drink more than usual. It’s a great idea to get children motivated into keeping themselves hydrated.
For more information about the Brita Fill & Go check out their page HERE.
I have one Brita Fill & go bottle including stickers to give away to one lucky reader. Just fill in the Gleam form below:
We received a Brita Fill & Go bottle in order to join in with this challenge
Nice give away x
Buy them a flask/bottle which is appealing to young children – eg, it has a flick up spout, fancy lid, or has a picture of their favourite character/hero on it.
These are a fantastic idea and I had never heard of them before, my children definitely don’t drink enough water and I’m not lucky enough to win one I will certainly be buying them one each x
Add fruit-flavoured squash
I would have a competition between my three to see who could drink more in a day, they love winning against each other!
Let them choose a cup they want to drink out of
i make ice cubes with the juice so they look cool in the water
Tiny splash of juice always works enough to change colou that’s all
let them choose their own decorative water bottle
Make it fancy with a nice straw or bottle!
Fruit infused water tastes great and is healthy without all of the sugar of squash and other flavoured waters 🙂
i tend to set them a challenge to finish their water.
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Decorate and personalise bottles and make cute fabric bottle holders. Remember to take water with you on trips, so you don’t have to buy sugary over priced soft drinks
A fun cup or water bottle is always a great start. 🙂
use cute water bottles and cups
Add something fruity
put a cool design on the bottle
This is the vain of my life at the moment. Monkey drinks well at home but at school ……. his water bottle is coming back with hardly any drunk at all. Sounds like your daughter could teach him a lesson or two!
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Use a straw or bottle with a cartoon design on.
cool bottles or add a bit of flavour
My boys have always been quite happy to drink water. They like having their own coloured water bottles
This looks brill! I would love a good water bottle for when I am breastfeeding my baby due in Jan, I remember how constantly thirsty I was last time! Xx
I don’t have any children but would love to win this prize to donate to charity, to go to Romania.
I alway full a water bottle for the kids and let them sip it through the day I guess my my tip is to lead by example
Put it in a fancy Cup!
Add fruit too it let it permeate
Get a cup they love
Make fun ice cubes with bits of fruit inside to go in their drinks
Add fruit to give the water some natural flavour 🙂
Telling my daughter it gives her energy seems to work pretty well x
A fun water bottle thats easy for them to hold and sip out of.
always have water on hand in nice bright bottles.
Infuse the water with some fruit to add some flavour, without adding harmful ingredients or sugar x
Great bottle, filtered water – kids will love it and drink plenty water!
Add fruit to it for flavour 🙂
a bottle that they really like
Reward with extra playtime outside
Always have a bottle of water to hand, so that they can drink when they like
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my daughter is happy to drink it out of a bottle but not a cup. We buy thew mini waters in Alidi which are £1.10 for 10 bottles x
Let them choose their bottle or tumbler, make ice cubes with fruit or juice to add a little flavour
Put ice in it… works for my children!
I put pretty shaped ice cubes in Sophie’s water flask & she loves them, some are just water & others have juice & fruit in.
Let them choose the bottle/cup as they are more likely to drink it if they can!!
Use fancy straws
make it into a fun game xx
you have to make it entertaining so they think it will be fun to drink it 🙂
Unfortunately it is a struggle to get my eldest to drink, so it will be interesting to see what tips people come up with.
my eldest is just awful at drinking enough so I give her 2 bottles to take to school and if she drinks them all during the week she gets a special smoothie at the weekend
The way to get Miss A to drink more water is to let her choose her own cup / bottle and then she seems to think she’s in charge and drinks more.
A nice bottle or cup they like to use also add some fresh fruit such as berries for fruit infused water let them add the fruit themselves
I just don’t give my kids a choice. I keep nothing in the house except for water.
Put ice in it to keep it nice and cold
Use star charts to reward water use.
We use a sticker chart – to encourage our children to drink water 🙂
This looks great for encouraging kids to drink water. I bought my son a cycleing bottle so that he has clear markers on the side, he likes the flip straw top and it makes him feel sporty plus it holds a litre so less remembering to fill up!
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freeze some fruit in the freezer and pop it in the water to give it some taste
Reward chart sticker added for every cup or bottle of water drunk. I love brita fill and go!
I think the trick with giving children more water is to only offer them water or perhaps diluted squash for a treat.
Get a bottle with a crazy straw!
Add a small amount of natural flavour
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a funky straw and ice cubes
My suggestion is to buy them a few fun bottles. I specifically enjoy interesting looking ones, or bottles that I have to bite the mouthpiece to drink out of.
Add a fruit flavour
Encourage the child to choose their own container/bottle.
I have a drink and they always want what I have got, I have also bought them some pretty drinking cups
Get them their favourite character bottle or one with their name on it and add a splash of sugar free juice
Add cool ice cube shapes
Use a rewards system based on the amount they drink…the more they drink, the better the reward!
or maybe even make it a contest between siblings… sibling rivalry always works a treat
Make a fun competition with each other to see who can drink the most (within reason of course!)
Put it in a fun colourful cup with a funky straw and add lemon
Own water bottle – challenge to drink it by the end of the day!
Drink water before you eat, that feeling of hunger might just be thirst
Use a fruity flavour from natural fruit.x
Put crushed ice in there & make a water slushy
Turn it into a competition – create a chart and add a star for every glass they drink – rewards if they hit their target for the week!
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let them choose a new fun bottle 🙂
My two seem to gulp down more if there’s ice in it or a slice of lemon!
a sticker on the reward chart if the bottle is finished by home time
I find little and often helps with my four children, a little drink before a snack and a little drink before dinner other wise mine would never drink, squash Ice cubes are easy and fun too they like to watch one dissolve in their drink
We infuse our water with lemon, makes it a bit tastier for kids
Let them choose a special beaker or bottle which is only for them and only for water.
Tell them it will give them super powers! x
I would put some little bits of fruit or lemon/lime in the water so it is more appealing.
Add coloured ice cubes made from fruit juice.
We recently bought a frozen elsa and anna cup which Indie chose and ive never seen her drink so much haha
A nice straw
Have a star chart and everytime they finish a bottle give them a star
Add a small amount of sugar free juice to give it a tinge of flavour
I get them to pick their own bottles
I think often they just need reminding!
putting a bit of fresh fruit in with the water adds taste to it.
add a few berries or a slice of citrus to make them feel grown up!
add fruit for flavor!
Lead by example! My Children always take to doing/eating new things better if they see us doing it too 🙂
They enjoy refilling their own water bottles from the bottle in the fridge,it has one of thise litlle tap things on it.
natural fruit flavours
Floating fruit in the water works for my children
we have fruit infuse bottles, pop some fresh fruit into the middle and fill with water 🙂
a reward for getting through it
Cool cups to drink out off usually help, we have one that changes colour when filled with cool water.
I use a tiny bit of water enhancer – no sugar, no calories but the reluctant water drinker will then drink it. They other children drink loads thank goodness
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Add some sugar free squash
I put fruit and cucumber in my 6 year old water, she loves it
their own ‘cool’ water bottle
A fancy straw! 🙂
A fun straw!
make it nice and cold – ice cold filtered water is much nicer than room temp
My son has a batman water bottle he carries everywhere so when hes thirsty he has a drink he drinks atleast 2 bottles a day this way x x
My husband tells the youngest that it will make her strong. Well lions drink water
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Buy them a bottle with a nice color or pattern!
Get a water bottle with their favourite character on it
Encourage them to exercise/run around. Its good for their health and will make them naturally thirsty.
having an exciting bottle to drink out of
Maybe a reward at the end of the week if they hit a pre agreed target?
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Flavored ice cubes and just lead by example. If you make it a habit to drink water in your household it should be the norm for them after a few months. Also gently explain the bad side effects of fizzy drinks and sweetened juices.
Let them choose their own bottle.
Tell them that the water helps the teeth to secretly sparkle so that the tooth fairy can keep an eye out for them!
Add a bit of fruit to the water for the flavor.
add a bit of fruit to the water for flavour and put in their fave cup
Lead by example
My little one will drink any amount of water as long as it’s served in one of the teacups from her play kitchen!
let the children use their own water bottle and take responsibility for refilling.
Put some fruit in a bottle as they will enjoy it floating about inside to encourage them!
Using a straw is a great help, but my boys love smoothies too. So I use a fruit that thickens like banana with the rest of the ingredients and fill with water instead of juice or yoghurt, they have 2-3 a day.
put some little pieces or whole small fresh fruit in it…ie raspberry pineapple strawberry blackcurrent etc
Get the bottle in a bright colour which appeals to the child
always put the water in a bright bottle and maybe add some juice but only a little x
We got our son use to drinking water by gradually reducing the amount of juice we put in until he no longer needed it.
don’t buy fizzy drinks
Add fruit to it to make it more appealing
Let them choose a cup they want to drink out of
put markings on bottle and set little targets to drink too with the idea of completing the whole bottle by end of day
Always leave it nearby so they don’t forget about it
This would actually encourage my baby nephew to drink water. He is already pretty good but loves to drink out of a little water bottle because he’s seen adults do it!
I’ve added ‘drink plenty of water’ on their reward charts, so if they drunk enough they get points towards a weekly treat x
that’s drink not drunk – oops 🙂
Put slices of orange or frozen grapes in it
Freeze the bottle and as it melts during the day they can sip away
Using pebbles or balls in a jar for each litre they drink put one in a jar each month count them up and have certain treats for each target reached
Add some fruit to it.
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I put a drink in every room right where they are playing as that way the constant reminder right in front of them is good
My daughter just don’t have a choice. She has milk and juice at certain times, and any other time just water and she likes it 🙂
I normally put the water in a special cup that way they drink more. x
Tiny bit of juice to change the colour. Works for my daughter
give them a sticker for each glass of water they drink x
add ice cubes to it.
Let them chose their own character water bottle and try flavoured water x
put bits of fruit in the water
Maybe try giving them a straw
Give them there own flask and buy one that is colourful and fun.
I find letting them drink with straws always goes down well
I drink lots of water and don’t they say that children copy what their parents do! So basically I’m saying lead by example…winwin.
Let them pick their own cup/bottle. Also maybe add a little bit of fruit for natural flavour
My kids love water, never had to encourage them 🙂
Get them involved and add real fruit.
Don’t offer any other drinks and always have the water to hand
get some fancy straws
My grandchildren like drinking ice water through a straw. It makes noises that amuse the children and distracts them from what they are drinking. Also in hot weather they are glad of the coldness of the drink.
Talk to them about how their body works, get an illustrated library book suitable for their age and educate them about the importance of staying hydrated.
Fruit infusions rather than squash are great as they taste good, look good and don’t have all the additives!
I give my little girl a fancy straw she loves it! Although it’s getting her to stop drinking then!!
My little girl fills her suckie bottle for school with water and puts it in the freezer at night. She love the idea of the ice cold water for school
Berries frozen in ice cubes make a drink of water fun. then as the water goes down and the ice cube melts the fruit gives an extra fruity taste to the rest of the water
Fancy cups, bottles etc that appeal to them
Have fun beakers and use squash
add a little flavouring
Now I’ve started to use straws my daughter gets through a lot more water. It just makes it a bit more drinkable!
give water from early age and they wont question!
sticker charts to monitor the amount of cups drunk each day with a mini reward at the end of the week
Mine like to share my water bottle, so if that gets them drinking more water then I’m all for it
Put a splash of fresh fruit in it
Add some fruit juice
i put some fruit in their water
Dont make it too hard or stressful, They are only young 🙂
Tell them their favourite super hero drinks it! Works with my little boy 🙂
Staws, and add fruit to the water
Since my daughter was small we only give her water to drink with the very occasional juice, etc. as a treat. As a result, we keep a lot of sugars out of her diet and she naturally drinks a healthy amount of water because she can go and get it herself any time she wants.
Soak a piece of fruit in the water overnight!
A straw usually works for us!
I always have a bottle of water with me and my daughter all wants some of ‘mummies water!’
Have a funky coloured and shaped straw so they can watch the water move as they drink
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It’s tough, especially when out and about. The boys hate drinking plain water – we have to flavour it. It’s hard to take a bottle of squash with you everywhere. There are little squeezy water enhancers on the market now that are a godsend. One little squirt and delicious juice is made – and they fit in the bag or pocket.
I recommend the vimto one – my fav!
Fill an empty bottled water bottle from the tap. They think it is ‘cool’ to drink bottled water. Little do they know!
A cute straw or some stickers 🙂
We encourage our children by making sure the water is always ice cold as it’s the only way they will drink it so we keep a large bottle of water in the fridge all the time
I add fresh fruit to my childrens water, orange or lemon slices, my son likes strawberries or mint.
I tell my 6 year that water makes his brain work faste and harder….if he drinks lots of water, he’ll be a genius by the time hes 7!!
Using sugar free squash
Start them young and keep it up if they know how important water is they will drink it :0)
Add a piece of fruit to flavour it
Start them on water in their baby bottle when they are young and move to water in a bottle or flask when they are older. It then becomes a habit – something they do without thinking about it.
sorry i dont have any tips, my little boy only drinks milk or water and hes 6. but i just send him to school with a water bottle. hes allowed it at any point. theres always a cup or bottle of water around for him to attack at home too
store in fridge so icy cold, mine happily drinks water so long as very cold, always been the same just like me
We have a sticker reward chart.
Literally the only way I (let alone kids) will drink water on a regular basis is if there’s some cordial in it. Try some sugar free cordial that’s condensed in those small bottles so that the little ones can add it to their flask 🙂
There were times when it is cold they dont want to drink water, so would give them a stick of rock to use as a straw
Give them water in a coloured beaker so it doesn’t look just like water or use a curly straw.
chill and filter the water to take away the chemical tastes
get them to choose the bottle
A reward chart
Add fruit-flavoured concentrate.
Straws! Our little one will drink anything with a straw
Freeze a bit of their favourite fruit & add it to the bottle. You can get silicone ice trays in different shapes which also help keep it interesting! Just make sure they will fit through the top of the bottle!
I slice orange in my kids bottles and cups and it always seems to help them drink more
Nice giveaway. Adding fruit to the bottle should help encourage kids to drink from it.
fantastic give away and brilliant way of getting children to drink more water x
Sugar free/reduced sugar squash to add to water and let them choose a water bottle they like 🙂
I make my own syrups to add to the water, you only need a tiny bit to add lots of flavour. You will see me picking elderflowers and other fruits to mix into my syrups
Offer them water in their favourite cup
Let them pick their own bottle
Add fruit-flavoured squash
Offer them water in there favourite cup <3
bribe them!! no im joking, i would tell them that it is good for them, show them athletes with their water bottles and set an example by letting them see myself drink plenty of water.
My son has his weekly pocket money by completing chores and various other bits…as he is terrible for drinking fluids i fill a bottle in the fridge with targets on it becomes a challenge and is easily achievable to earn his pocket money…and in return I have a healthy and hydrated little man
Make ice cubes from their favourite flavoured juice to pop into the water and encourage to drink
let them pick a special a special cup to have it from
Funky cups and bottles help to encourage drinking water. Also the soda streamers which just make it fizzy! z
add a bit of fruit to slowly flavour the water, makes it yummy
Decorate water bottles 🙂
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Using sugar free squash definitely encourages my son to drink more!