How much water does your kiddo need each day?

Here’s a guide for how much water your kids should be drinking at every age and some tips to make sure hydration is a part of their everyday routine. 

Drinking enough water helps with cognitive function, energy levels and physical health, just to name a few benefits.

And, as your child grows, so does the amount of water he or she needs. Here’s a guide for how much water your kids should be drinking at every age and some tips to make sure hydration is a part of their everyday routine. 

Toddlers: Drink about four cups of water a day. (Or 32 ounces)
Four cups might not sound like a lot of water, but for a 2-or-3 year, it’s a lot! Toddlers are drawn to their favorite colors and new discoveries, and they are learning to master the art of using cups and straws. Encourage their new skills and find a cup they will love – rainbows, dinosaurs or planes, anyone? – and remind them to sip all day long as they play.  

Hydration Guide: Fill up Simple Modern’s 14-ounce Summit Kids Water Bottle with Straw Lid a little more than two times throughout the day to help your toddler drink enough water.

PreK through 2nd grade: Early elementary kiddos need about five cups of water a day. (Or 40 ounces)
As kids head to school, their hydration needs tick up a bit. And, early elementary kids show strong attachment to their favorite characters. Sending them to school with a Bluey, Minions or another beloved-to-them character will certainly encourage them to keep sipping as they learn all day.

Hydration Guide: Tell your kids to fill up the 14-ounce kid’s water bottle almost three times each day or our 18-ounce kid’s water bottle 2.5 times to keep them hydrated while at school.

Late elementary to middle school: Girls need about seven cups, boys need eight cups of water each day. (Or 56 ounces for girls, 64 for boys)
As kids develop and enter the prepubescent years, their hydration needs skyrocket to keep pace with their growing bodies. Consider jumping to the Summit Kids 18-ounce water bottle or even the 22-ounce or 32-ounce Summit Water Bottle with Straw Lid to help them not to have to fill up so often. Transitioning to older styles might be the key now too, going with the 24-ounce Trek or even the 40-ounce Trek, both which can still fit into the side pockets of backpacks.

Hydration Guide: Girls, fill up that 24-ounce Trek 2.5 times or the 40-ounce Trek 1.5 times every day. Boys, fill the 32-ounce Summit up twice or the 22-ounce Summit three times to reach your hydration goals. 

High school teens: Girls now need eight cups of water each day, while boys leapfrog up to needing 11 cups every day. (Or 64 ounces for girls, 88 ounces for boys)
High school kids are growing rapidly, and for peak cognitive growth and health, their hydration needs jump too. It’s time now for the 32-ounce Summits and the 40-ounce Treks. For high schoolers who are athletes, add at least two more cups (or 16 more ounces) to their daily water intake before they practice each day. To accommodate those rigorous hydration needs, send them off with the 64-ounce or 128-ounce Trek Pivot for all-day hydration without the refills.

Hydration Guide: To get the water that boys need, fill up the 32-ounce Summits about three times. For girls, fill up the Trek about two times. For athletes, add at least one more fill for either gender.