How much should your kid drink today?
Pick an age. You'll get the amount pediatric experts recommend, in cups you can actually picture.
1 cup = 8 oz. Ages 0 to 5 follow the 2019 consensus from the American Academy of Pediatrics, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Heart Association and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Ages 6 and up use the National Academies' daily intake for drinks. Sources
Standing in the store aisle? Check the label in seconds.
Scan the bar code or snap a photo of the label. We turn the sugar into teaspoons and flag sweeteners and caffeine, for your child's age. Free.
- ScanThe bar code, with your phone camera
- Or snapA photo of the Nutrition Facts
- See the teaspoonsChecked against kids' daily limits
Start with your question
- How much water should my child drink?Every age, birth to 18
- Which drinks are healthy, and which should we skip?Milk, juice, soda, sports drinks
- Is this drink OK for my kid?17 drinks, answered by age
- Are sugar free drinks OK for kids?The honest answer
- What should my toddler drink?Ages 1 to 3
- How much sugar is in my kid's drink?Teaspoons, not grams
- Is my child dehydrated?Signs and when to call
- What should I give my sick child to drink?Vomiting, diarrhea, fever
- Does my athlete need a sports drink?Practice, games and heat
The short version
Water and plain milk are the drinks kids need. That's the consensus of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Heart Association, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.1
Added sugar can wait. The 2025 to 2030 federal Dietary Guidelines say kids should avoid added sugar in early childhood and that no amount is recommended through age 10.2 Sugary drinks are where a lot of it hides.
Thirst isn't a schedule. Kids get busy and forget. Offering water at meals, in the backpack and after play does more than any rule.
Healthy Hydration for Children, a free classroom program
Short, fun lessons that teach elementary kids why water matters and how to spot sugar on a label. Built for teachers, school nurses, Scout leaders and youth coaches.
- Lesson guide for a single class period
- Short animated videos starring Drip
- Printable water tracker, label worksheet and quiz
- A take-home sheet for families
Who's behind this
This guide is written and paid for by ShineWater, a drink company. We think parents deserve to know that before reading a word about kids' drinks. Every recommendation here comes from pediatric and federal guidance, with sources on every page, and our editorial policy keeps our own products off of the advice. Read how we keep it honest.