Simple Tips for Choosing Water Bottles for School …

Simple Tips for Choosing Water Bottles for School …

 

Of all the good habits I’ve tried to teach my kids, drinking plenty of water rates very highly. Water is so important for literally every function in our body, so it’s a great idea to send kids off to school every day with a lovely big bottle of cold water. It’s also really important that kids have a water bottle if they participate in after-school sport activities. Teaching kids to drink water is not only great for their health but, if they have a reusable water bottle, it also reduces rubbish generated by disposable bottles and helps to save money.

 

Here are a few things that I consider when choosing a suitable water bottle to send to school:

 

  • Size … my kids are older so a 750ml bottle is a great size for them. You might consider a smaller bottle for a younger child.

 

  • Leak-proof … I always test a new water bottle before giving it to the kids to use to make sure it doesn’t leak. A leaking water bottle can cause a lot of damage to school books, stationary and anything else in your child’s bag.

 

  • Light-weight … remember, the bigger the bottle, the heavier it will be when full! I try to buy water bottles that are as light as possible.

 

  • Easy to clean … this is a key feature that I look for. I try to buy water bottles with wide openings so I can get inside them to give them a good clean. A baby’s bottlebrush works perfectly. I wash all water bottles daily, rinse thoroughly, refill and then pop into the fridge/freezer ready for the next day. Water bottles can build up a slimy residue if they’re not cleaned properly so give them plenty of attention. Water bottles with a wide opening are easier to fill and it’s easier to add ice cubes to them. Check the lid/drinking spout/straw as well and ask yourself will it be easy to clean or are there difficult areas that will be perfect for germs and bacteria to breed.

 

  • Dishwasher safe … I like to run the water bottles through the dishwasher every couple of days so that the heat kills any nasties.

 

  • Safety … water bottles can be made from a range of things. Glass is probably not a great option for school. My kids have had plastic water bottles in the past but I’ve always bought ones that are BPA-free just to be on the safe side. In recent years I’ve purchased stainless steel water bottles. I quite like them because they tend to keep the water cooler and there’s also no risk of the bottle splitting, although it will dent if dropped.

 

  • Shape … this may not seem like an important factor when choosing a water bottle but I try to find ones that are the right size and shape to fit in the cup holders in my car. My girls often take their water bottles out of their bags once they are in the car so they can have a drink on the way home. It’s really convenient that their water bottles fit neatly into the car cup holders.

 

And here are a couple of extra water bottle tips:

 

  • In warmer weather, consider half filling the bottle the night before and freezing it. Then you simply need to top it up in the morning. The frozen section will help keep the water cold all day. If the kids drink all the water at morning tea or lunch, by simply refilling it, the remaining block of frozen ice will cool the water so it’s ready again for later.

 

  • Most schools and teachers will allow kids to keep a water bottle at their desk as they work. Encourage the kids to do this particularly during months where the weather is especially hot so they stay well hydrated.

 

  • I always wrap the girl’s water bottles to prevent any condensation from leaking onto school books or other items in their bag. I keep a supply of cloth napkins in a drawer in the kitchen. I wrap the water bottle and secure it with a thick rubber band. This will soak up any condensation, insulate the bottle and help it stay frozen and cold for much longer.

 

  • I usually send two water bottles to school on Sports Day. The kids need extra hydration as they lose fluid from their bodies quickly from sweating after exercise and lots of running around.

 

  • In addition to a regular water bottle, I also fill and freeze small flat water bottles and use them as ice bricks. Not only will they keep the kids lunch cold but will double up as an extra refreshing cold drink of water once the ice starts to melt.

 

  • Keep some spare water bottles in the cupboard. My kids are pretty good with keeping track of their possessions but water bottles can, and do, go missing from time to time. A couple of spares kept in the cupboard or fridge also allow you to rotate them so you’re not under pressure if you haven’t managed to wash, refill and freeze the water bottles the night before.

 

  • Don’t forget to label them. If water bottles get lost or left on the sports field, they’re more likely to find their way back to your child if they are labeled.

 

  • We really try hard to avoid sport drinks and I’m lucky that my kids don’t particularly like them. They are often full of additives, sugar and calories that kids simply don’t need. A cold bottle of water and refreshing piece of fruit is much healthier and will have the same effect of hydrating thirsty kids.

 

So tell me, do your kids drink enough water or do you need to constantly remind them?