Kids can be very picky, and at times down right difficult when it comes to getting them to eat and drink right. They would rather reach for a juice box, than a glass of water. Water is important in everyone’s diet, especially growing children. But getting them to drink more water, or any at all can be a tricky task. Thankfully there are a few creative ways that you can use to get your child to drink more water.

• Silly Straws add fun to drinking

Kids love straws, especially colorful, silly designed ones. Check out the party stores near you for some creative designs that will add a bit of fun to drinking water.

• Colored Ice cubes

One thing for certain, kids love colorful things. One way to help get your kids more interested in drinking more water is through colorful ice cubes. Add a few drops of food coloring into your ice cubed containers to create a fun excuse to drink a glass of water.

• Fruit slices

Adding in a slice of lemon or lime can add a more kid friendly flavor to your typical glass of water. In addition it makes their water look colorful and eye-catching, two things that kids love.

• Bottles of water

Keep bottles of water on hand to provide easy access for small hands to get their own water. When you give kids independence and the option to serve them you are making them more willing to drink water.

• Kid friendly cups

Having a cup available with your child’s favorite cartoon character, or sports team will make getting a glass of water much more enjoyable.

• Set an example

Kids learn from examples, so if they see Mom or Dad drinking water frequently they are more than likely to reach for water to quench their thirst.

• Chart their progress

One thing is for sure kids love to earn rewards. Why not make drinking water a fun rewarding game. Make a chart showing how much water you would like them to drink on a daily basis, and each day when they complete this task, supervised by you of course, they can earn one mark closer to reaching their reward. Set a reward after a week, or month of this. Eventually it will become a habit over time to reach for water through repetition.

• Educate why water is important

If you teach your child what water does for our bodies, they may be more willing to help their body “work” better by giving it the fuel(water) it needs.

When it comes to getting your kids to drink more water it doesn’t have to be a fight. Try some of the methods above to get them interested in drinking water more frequently. Remember to, to let them have a drink or two of what they enjoy as well so they see that a good balance is better overall for them.