7 Back-to-School Hydration Tips For Kids

Summer is ending and kids are going back to school again. While there are many things they need before they go, there’s one thing they need more than anything: brain power!

Most people know how dehydration affects our physical health, but its impact on the brain is often neglected. The brain is about 75% water, so it makes sense that staying hydrated is fundamental (no pun intended!) for proper function; even mild dehydration effects important cognitive functions like memory, alertness, and concentration.

According to recent study published in the National Library of Medicine, “Being dehydrated by just 2% impairs performance in tasks that require attention, psychomotor, and immediate memory skills, as well as assessment of the subjective state.” Another study showed that kids who drank more water performed better on visual attention tasks.

Kids are dependent on their caregivers to get what they need. Making sure they have enough water is an essential part of keeping them – and their brains – safe and healthy. Here are some simple back-to-school hydration tips to help keep your kid’s brain in tip-top form all year long:

1. Kids are all about taste. Filter your water at home so it tastes better. 

2. Water down juice at breakfast. They won't even notice. Bonus: less sugar! 

3. Send them with two water bottles. One for their desk, one for their lunchbox. 

4. Encourage them to sip throughout the day. Not just when they feel hungry. 

5. Pack hydrating fruits & veggies for lunch. Cucumbers & grapes are great options! 

6. Skip sugary, dehydrating drinks after school. Get creative with fruit-infused water. 

7. Make it a game to see who drinks the most. Kids love a good competition!