Getting your kids to drink more water or fruit juice can be a tough task, especially when soft drinks and energy drinks exist that taste great but are loaded with sugar and calories. Rather than let your kids consume sugar in liquid form every day, offer up some fun, nutritious replacements. Getting fresh fruits and even some vegetables into lemonades, smoothies, slushies, and even water is a great way to keep your kids satisfied on the beverage front and may just put soft drinks in the rearview mirror permanently. Sneaking these important nutrients into your kids’ meals daily is one thing, but getting them into their drinks too? Now THAT is top-tier parenting. Use our guide for 13 healthy drinks that will keep your whole family healthy and hydrated.
Watermelon Lemonade
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Made with just a few simple ingredients, this watermelon lemonade is a healthy alternative to sugary drinks for kids, and will most definitely go over well with the adults in your life, too.
5 minutes
40 calories
Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Watermelon Lemonade.
Smoothie for Kids
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This smoothie is jam packed with nutrients for your kids, including vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium, plant-based protein, and fiber. Blend this up as an after-school snack for kids, and set aside some for yourself as a reward for feeding your kids a healthy treat.
5 minutes 160 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Smoothie for Kids.
Mocktail for Kids
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If you’re drinking cocktails at home, your kids can have a mocktail with you. Mix these fruity, fizzy drinks for the kids and dress them up with fruit skewers and straws for a fun, kid-friendly twist on cocktail hour.
10 minutes 100 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Mocktail for Kids.
Low-Sugar Lavender Lemonade
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Kids will love this floral, slightly sweet lemonade as a refreshing sip in between outdoor games and splashes in the pool.
45 minutes 75 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Low-Sugar Lavender Lemonade.
Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade
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Put your summer raspberries to good use in this refreshing lemonade. The hint of sparkle here makes this a festive drink for entertaining, and will keep your kids happy and hydrated.
15 minutes 85 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade.
Chocolate Banana Smoothies
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This smoothie is so indulgent your kids may think they’re having dessert instead of a nutritious beverage. Just four ingredients are all you need to blend up this creamy, chocolatey treat.
5 minutes 150 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Chocolate Banana Smoothies.
Homemade Cinnamon and Honey Soy Milk
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Making soy milk at home may seem like a difficult task, but it couldn’t be simpler. Soak the beans overnight, rinse them in the morning, boil, and blend. Your kids will love this cinnamon and honey-flavored milk to go with their breakfast, and you’ll love getting your kids to drink their milk every morning.
1h 00m 110 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Homemade Cinnamon and Honey Soy Milk.
Coconut Water and Lime Electrolyte Drink
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The energy drinks you see at the grocery store may seem like a good option to get your kids the electrolytes they need, but they tend to be loaded up with sugar, which isn’t great. Make your own electrolyte beverages at home instead, starting with this coconut water and lime drink that is low in carbs but high in potassium.
5 minutes 80 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Coconut Water and Lime Electrolyte Drink.
Probiotic Sparkling Apple Juice
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Using water kefir for this apple juice provides a healthy alternative to sugary drinks, but still provides the bubbles that kids love. Replace the sodas and sugary drinks at home and make this healthy juice your kids’ new favorite.
5 minutes 100 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Probiotic Sparkling Apple Juice.
Fruit Infused Water
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Fruit infused waters are delightful to drink, and beyond easy to make. Getting your kids to drink more water doesn’t have to be a chore when you can make their water flavorful using their favorite fruits like strawberries, pineapples, mango, or whatever you like.
1h 00m 70 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Fruit Infused Water.
Tropical Green Smoothie
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This festive smoothie gets its beautiful green color from spinach – yes, spinach – which means your kids won’t just be getting nutrients from fruits and green veggies, they’ll be asking for this nutritious smoothie all the time.
5 minutes 150 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Tropical Green Smoothie.
Mermaid Lemonade
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Spirulina powder gives this lemonade its fun blue color, and its distinction as not just lemonade, but mermaid lemonade. Your kids won’t know it, but this lemonade is packed with superfoods, meaning every sip is making them just a tad healthier.
5 minutes 100 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Mermaid Lemonade.
Slushberry Drinks
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Unlike a smoothie which has a creamy consistency, this slushberry beverage is more like a slushy or icee, making it the perfect, refreshing drink for a hot summer day. This recipe calls for pineapple and frozen strawberries, but you can really use any fruit mixture you want to make this your own.
5 minutes 90 calories Easy
Healthy
Visit the page to learn more: Slushberry Drinks.
