With a full week of school under our belts for the year, I feel like we’re definitely finding our groove. Sure, the kids are a bit more tired and, consequently, a bit more cranky or whiny, but that will all come with time (and earlier bedtimes).
But one of our biggest hurdles this week was the kids remembering to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Did you know that it is recommended that school-aged children drink 4 – 8 cups of water throughout the day?
My oldest daughter came home the other day saying she was tired and had a headache. When I asked her how much water she drank that day, she said she had a little bit during her lunch. What? That’s it? No wonder she was feeling sluggish! It was a great opportunity to remind her that she needs to be drinking water throughout the day. Not just at lunch.
So, how do you keep your little learners hydrated during the school day? Here are three quick tips!
- Create a Hydration Station!
Thankfully my kids’ teachers are just as eager to keep kids hydrated at school as I am, so they have created Hydration Stations in their classrooms. This is a table or countertop area in the classroom where kids are able to keep a water bottle. During breaks between lessons or after returning from recess or a “special” (P.E., library, art, etc.), the kids can make a stop at the Hydration Station and “refuel”.
If your kids’ classroom does not have a Hydration Station, it might be worth the time to speak to the teacher about setting one up. If he/she isn’t interested, then encourage your child to keep a water bottle located in their locker (make sure to get the “ok” from his/her teacher or principal) and “refuel” each time they stop at their locker.
- A water bottle they’ll love!
Last year we didn’t select a very good water bottle. Halfway through the year they are looking pretty rough and ragged. I had to ‘MacGyver’ the top on one of them just to keep it attached. Were they still usable? Sure, but the girls weren’t too excited about them. I thought my paperclip solution was pretty ingenious but my 8 year old did not.So this year we’re kicking off things with a new bottle they absolutely love! The Freestyle AUTOSPOUT Kids’ Water Bottle from AVEX!
The Freestyle AUTOSPOUT Kids’ 16 oz. Water Bottle comes in six different colors/styles that kids will love! Even my 9 year old “I’m not a girly-girl” daughter found one she loved!
The AUTOSPOUT lid makes getting to the water super easy for even the littlest learners! Simply push the little button and the drinking straw pops out. When finished, just push it back down and click it in place. Done! And, while I love that it’s easy for all my kids to use, I really love that, when not in use, the drinking spout stays retracted and covered…and not exposed to classroom germs.
The AUTOSPOUT lid also features a spill-proof valve system that eliminates leaks and spills. A huge bonus for when it’s stashed inside the backpack before and after school!! But it’s also great for in the classroom because, even when the spout is in the open position, it won’t leak. Teachers will kind of love you for this!
The Freestyle AUTOSPOUT Kids’ Water Bottle also features a convenient little carrying handle at the top, which is really nice when we’re toting it to soccer practice and it is top-rack dishwasher safe…which is great for after it’s been lying in the dirt at soccer practice :-/
Those are my two quick tips on keeping little learners hydrated though the school day and after! You can find the Freestyle AUTOSPOUT Kids’ Water Bottle at AVEXsport.com for just $12.99.
Wishing you all a great start to your school year and fall sports season!
Yona Williams
September 16, 2015 at 10:52 amHaving the right water bottle definitely encourages kids to drink more water. Funny, I don’t really remember drinking much water while I was in school either.
Betsy Rubendall Barnes
September 15, 2015 at 5:58 pmThese are such cute water bottles. I love the idea of a hydration station in the classroom, never heard of that until now. 🙂
Robin W
September 15, 2015 at 1:14 pmI have a niece who I swear doesn’t want to take time to drink some water while she’s outside because she’s too busy playing. She just started kindergarten so I think these would be great for her to carry in her lunch box. She’d srink water from these I’m sure.
Dandi D
September 15, 2015 at 12:06 pmMy son would love it if I got him some of these bottles.
Sean
September 14, 2015 at 1:43 pmMy son would love these. He’s just getting into his big boy sippy cups and these would be great!
Jaime
September 14, 2015 at 1:39 pmLove the hydration station. My kids bring a water bottle every day to school and keep at there desk. It’s nice they allow it. These look like nice cups. Fun designs.
Shannon
September 14, 2015 at 1:31 pmCute cups! I haven’t heard of this brand prior to this post. Also, she’s BEAUTIFUL!! Love that last picture of her 😉