Hydration for growing kids

Hydration for growing kids

Water fuels every cell in a child’s body, yet many Australian kids don’t drink enough. Adequate hydration supports growth, learning, and wellbeing in ways that sugary drinks simply can’t. Here’s why water is so vital, the challenges families face, and how zazen Alkaline Water can make healthy hydration easier and more appealing.

Why kids' hydration is essential 

Proper hydration keeps a child’s body and mind functioning at their best.

• Physical health:
  Water regulates body temperature, cushions joints, supports bone health, and enables muscles to work efficiently. It also aids digestion and helps deliver nutrients through the bloodstream so growing bodies can absorb what they need.
• Mental health and cognition:
  Even mild dehydration can reduce concentration, memory, and mood. Research shows that school-aged children perform better on tasks requiring focus and short-term memory when they’ve recently had water, reinforcing the link between hydration and learning.

Dehydration in kids: a common challenge

Making sure our kids are drinking enough water is particularly important because children are more prone to dehydration than adults. Their smaller bodies contain a higher proportion of water, and they lose fluids faster, especially when they’re being active or during hot weather.

• How much water should kids drink per day?
  Guidelines recommend roughly 4–5 cups (1–1.2 L) per day for young children and 6–8 cups (1.5–2 L) for older kids and teens, depending on activity levels and climate.
• Signs of dehydration:
  Look for dry lips, dark urine, fatigue, headaches, or irritability. Severe dehydration may cause dizziness or rapid heartbeat and needs immediate attention.
• Why kids often resist water:
  Many children can’t recognise or express thirst until they’re already dehydrated. Sweetened drinks are marketed aggressively and often win on taste, while plain tap water may be unappealing because of odour, temperature, or flavour.

How to get kids to drink more water

The zazen Alkaline Water System is designed to make hydration easier and healthier for the whole family.

• Better taste encourages kids to drink more: Natural filtration removes impurities and odours, while essential minerals give the water a fresh, crisp flavour kids enjoy.
• Accessible and kid-friendly: As a benchtop system, the zazen Alkaline Water System sits within easy reach so kids can pour their own water and build independence around hydration.
• Mineral content supports healthy growth: Restored magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium, and silica help build strong bones and assist muscle and nerve function.
• Balanced pH for overall wellbeing: Slightly alkaline water (pH 8–9) can help buffer the body’s daily acid load from modern diets and stress, supporting natural detoxification and energy.
• Cost-effective and sustainable: A single zazen system provides premium mineral water for only 6 cents per litre. You can also save more than 3,000 plastic bottles from landfill every year.
• Community impact: Through the zazen Water Ambassador School Program, schools can educate students on healthy hydration and provide access to great-tasting water every day.

Tips for hydration habits that stick

Small changes make drinking water fun and routine:

• Model good habits: Let kids see you choose water throughout the day.
• Make it easy: Keep chilled alkaline water within reach and pack refillable bottles for school or sport.
• Add fun: Use colourful bottles, flavour infusions like fresh fruit, or hydration charts and stickers to motivate younger children.

Helping kids stay hydrated is one of the simplest, most powerful ways to support their growth and wellbeing. With its clean taste, essential minerals, and gentle alkalinity, zazen Alkaline Water turns everyday drinking into a wellness ritual families can feel good about, helping the next generation thrive, one refreshing sip at a time.