Is water good for kids?
Written from AAP, federal and National Academies guidance and checked against each source. Medical review by a pediatric registered dietitian is in progress. Updated November 2026.
Quick answer
Yes. Water is the everyday drink for kids once they start solid foods. Under 6 months, babies get all the fluid they need from breast milk or formula.1
Pick your child's age for a personal answer
By age
| Age | Verdict | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Under 12 months | OK | Small sips from 6 months, 4 to 8 oz a day. Before that, breast milk or formula only.1 |
| 1 to 4 years | Best choice | 1 to 4 cups a day, more when it's hot or they're active.1 |
| 5 to 10 years | Best choice | Most of the day's 5 to 8 cups of drinks.3 |
| 11 to 18 years | Best choice | Most of the day's 7 to 11 cups of drinks.3 |
How much sugar?
Dashed line: the American Heart Association limit of 25 g of added sugar for the whole day, ages 2 to 18. Typical amounts, rounded. Brands vary.
Good to know
- Offer water with every meal and snack, and keep a cup within reach at home.
- Let kids pick their own cup or bottle. It helps more than you'd think.
- A few berries or a slice of orange in a pitcher makes plain water more interesting, with almost no sugar.
Try instead
Use our cups-by-age picker to see your child's range.
Have the bottle in your hand? Check it with the label checker.
Common questions
How much water should a child drink a day?
It depends on age. Toddlers need about 1 to 4 cups of water alongside milk. School-age kids and teens need about 5 to 11 cups of drinks in all, mostly water. See the age-by-age picker for your child.
Can babies drink water?
Not before 6 months. Breast milk or formula gives babies all the fluid they need. From 6 months, small sips of water with meals are fine, about 4 to 8 oz a day.