How to Get Toddlers to Drink More Water

3 easy tips on how to get your toddler to drink more water

Drinking enough water is difficult for adults, so it only makes sense for kids to also have the same problem. How do you even know if your child is consuming enough water? According to Karen Gill, MD, it is best to strive for 2 to 4 cups (16 to 32 oz) of water per day for children between the ages of 1 and 3 years old. Milk and fluids from foods will also contribute to their daily needs. It is also best to also understand the signs of dehydration and overhydration.

Younger kids are more susceptible to dehydration than older kids and adults because of their small size. Warning signs of dehydration are low energy, dry lips and/or skin, little to no urine output, dark-colored urine, agitation or fussiness, cold skin, no tears to produce when crying, and increased heart rate. Though rare, overhydration can also occur. Drinking too much water can lead to hyponatremia, which is an imbalance of sodium in your child’s system that causes symptoms of vomiting, brain swelling, and seizures. If you notice any of the symptoms of dehydration or overhydration, seek medical attention immediately.

Now that you understand what to look for and how much water is a healthy amount, let’s get down to how to get toddlers to drink water.

Make it fun!

The easiest way to get your toddler to drink water is to get a fun cup! Get a cup with their favorite characters or favorite color. Whether they like sippy cups, water bottles, straw tumblers, or regular cups, let them pick it out to make them feel special. My daughter loves to feel independent, so she enjoys cups she can open herself and sip (like these tumblers). We (parents) always get the last say, but sometimes it’s best to let them choose what they want every once in a while, to give them some independence and confidence. If we let them think it’s their idea, they will follow suit.

Remove other options

If your toddler normally chooses what they want to drink after meals and they do not choose water, simply let them know they can have it later in the day or another time. Sometimes my daughter lets me know she wants juice or milk. If I notice she has not had much water that day, I will let her know she can have milk before bed or she can have juice tomorrow. If that still does not work, I simply tell her there is no more milk or juice. I know it’s not nice to lie and we are teaching our children honesty, but sometimes it’s for their own good. At this stage we can get away with a bit of it, so why not take advantage?

Add fresh fruit

If all else fails, add some fresh fruit! I know some adults that cannot stand to drink water because there is no flavor. My mom always needs to add a little something to her water to encourage more water consumption. If you have a pitcher with a fruit infuser, add some of their favorite fruit and give it to them throughout the day. If you don’t have a fruit infuser, simply create your own. Store some fruit and water in a tubber ware or add some fruit to the bottom of their water bottles or sippy cups. I would ONLY recommend this for sippy cups or water bottles that DO NOT have big enough holes where the fruit can get through, as that is a choking hazard.

Recap on how to get your toddler to drink water

I am not a healthcare professional. If you have actual concerns about how much or how little water your child consumes, please discuss with an actual healthcare professional. These are simple tricks I used to get my little one to drink more water when I noticed her lips were a little more chapped or her urine was darker than normal. If you have any other suggestions, please leave a comment and share what works for you and your family!