Encouraging Your Child to Drink Water

A child’s body needs water to be healthy and active. Giving your child water to drink throughout the day is one of the best ways to keep their teeth healthy. There are many fun ways to encourage your child to drink water.

Tips for encouraging your child to drink water:

• Use bendy, silly, or colored straws. Or let your child choose their favorite cups or water bottles.
• Use water bottles that can be carried anywhere. Refill them with tap water.
• Add a lemon, lime, or orange slice or fresh mint leaves to the water. Or add fruit like blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries.
• Give your child water with ice cubes or crushed ice. Look for ice cube trays in  shapes like dinosaurs, letters, or animals.
• Be a good role model for your child. Drink water instead of drinks that have sugar, like juice, fruit drinks, soda (pop), or sports drinks.
• Set up a station where your child can get a drink of water when they are thirsty. Keep an unbreakable water pitcher or thermos on a low stool or a chair where your child can reach it.
• Read books or show your child videos about drinking water, like Potter the Otter: A Tale About Water and Potter the Otter Loves to Drink Water.

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Last Updated: July 16, 2025