how to get your kids to drink water: a mum of 4's tips and tricks

 

Written by Lauren Brenton - Midwife & mum of 4

 

Let's be honest - getting kids to drink water can be such a battle. Between the snack negotiations, the constant "I'm not thirsty" whines, and the constantly lost drink bottles… it's no wonder most parents are desperate for a few good hydration hacks. I've been through it all as a midwife and mum of four, from coaxing a 6-month-old to try their first sips to reminding a school-aged kid for the tenth time that day that their water bottle is in their bag.

So here it is - my honest, tried-and-tested guide to getting your babies, toddlers and bigger kids to drink more water (without losing your mind in the process).

 

 

when can babies start drinking water? (6 months +)

Before 6 months, babies get all the hydration they need from breast milk or formula. From 6 months onwards, you can begin offering small amounts of water to your baby, and it's a great habit to start early.

Here's what's worked in our house:

➡️ Offer water in a sippy cup around mealtimes (the b.box sippy cup is a total winner - no spills, easy to grip, and Bub feels like such a big kid using it).

➡️ Start with small sips after meals to get them used to the taste and feel.

➡️ Try not to stress when they have their first few sips. They may spit it out, cough, or make a face; that's normal. It's a new skill, and like most things with babies, it takes practice (and patience).

➡️ Watch for signs of needing more water, especially in hot weather. Look for dry lips, fewer wet nappies, or constipation as signs to offer an extra sip or two.

Mum tip: Make it a shared experience. Sit together, have your water, and turn it into a little hydration moment. We love good water cheers to make it extra special!

 

 

 

 

tips for toddlers (1–3 years)

Ahhh toddlers. One day, they're obsessed with their drink bottle; the next day, they're feeding it to the dog. Here's how to make water more appealing without begging:

➡️ Offer it in a fun bottle they LOVE—the b.box 380ml drink bottle Jr is a favourite in our house. It's easy for little hands, and they get excited to flip the lid themselves.

➡️ Serve it with meals and snacks, just like you would with a grown-up meal. Make water a normal, expected part of eating.

➡️ Positive reinforcement is the best way to get them excited about water. "You drank your water—high five!" or a sticker chart works too.

➡️ Be their role model. If they see you choosing water, they'll (eventually) copy.

➡️ Make it a bonding moment. "Let's have a water cheer!" Yes, it's silly. And yes, it works.

Mum tip:When in doubt, cool straws can do wonders. It's amazing what they'll drink through a curly straw with dinosaurs.

 

 

school-aged kids (4–12 years) and keeping hydration on track

Once your kids are at school, keeping them hydrated is a new challenge—because you're not there to nag lovingly remind them every 20 minutes.

Here's how to help them take charge:

➡️ Make water super accessible. A good-sized refillable water bottle is key. The b.box 1L or 690ml BYO customisable bottles are brilliant—they can design it themselves, so they're more likely to take ownership. Then it becomes the talk of the school who has what colour water bottle.

➡️ Routine helps: Water when they wake up, before and after school, and after any physical activity. Make it part of their flow.

➡️ Let them choose their bottle. If they like the colour, they're more likely to use it.

➡️ Add a slice of fruit or cucumber if they feel fancy, or try some Franjos Kitchen Hydration Powder for extra hydration.

➡️ School hack: Check the bottle each afternoon—make it a fun habit to see how much they drank and celebrate progress.

Mum tip: Freeze half a bottle overnight and top it up in the morning for icy-cold water all day (bonus points for summer sports days).

 

 

 

 

overcoming common challenges with hydration

It's not always smooth sailing. Some kids aren't water fans—here's what's helped us navigate the resistance:

➡️ If they flat-out refuse – keep offering without pressure. Hydration is a habit, and habits take time.

➡️ Picky drinkers? Try temperature changes (some prefer cold, others like room temp) or different cups until one clicks.

➡️ Busy with sport or play? Set "water breaks" as they do in training—normalise pausing for a drink.

➡️ Avoid sugary drinks – they replace water without hydrating correctly and form habits that are hard to break.

➡️ Turn it into a game – see who can drink their bottle first (no choking allowed), or draw a hydration tracker on the fridge.

Mum tip: Keep water visible—on the table, in the car, in their bag. It's more likely to go in their mouth if it's in sight.

 

 

personal tips from a mum of 4

I've done the "Have you had water today?" dance with four kids. Here's what's worked across the board:

➡️ I start water habits early. For 6 months, I offer water with every meal. It's just part of the routine.

➡️ Each child has a bottle, and yes, we name them. No mix-ups means a lot fewer arguments.

➡️ I drink water, too, because kids copy what they see.

➡️ We discuss why water matters, especially in sports: "It helps you run faster, think better, and keeps your tummy happy."

And finally, I don't stress the bad days. Some days they drink heaps, others not so much. We will reset it tomorrow.

Water isn't just water for our kids. It's energy, brain power, and mood management in liquid form (for all of us, let's be honest).

Getting your kids to drink more water doesn't have to be a battle. With the right tools, a bit of competitiveness, and some patience, you'll help them build healthy hydration habits that stick.

Try out a few of these tips with your family—and remember, progress is better than perfection. One sip at a time, you're doing a brilliant job.

 

 

about the author   Endorsed Midwife and Founder of One Mama Midwife Pty Ltd I’m Loz and I’m an Endorsed Midwife who runs Antenatal Classes in the Sutherland Shire. I have completed a Bachelor of Midwifery and a Master of Midwifery. My favourite area is in the labour ward, this is where you can find me most days. One Mama Midwife came about in the height of Covid in 2020, when so many women were missing out on the chance to have antenatal education. Aimed at empowering you with the tools you require to have the pregnancy, birth and postpartum journey that you want to have, with advice and recommendations you can trust.