Children are curious by nature and love to explore the world around them as they grow and learn. Unfortunately, much of their learning is done with their little hands, which can often act as magnets for germs and bacteria. That makes it hard for immune boosting habits to work.
As a parent, there’s only so much you can do to protect your kids from getting sick. Still, there are some immune-boosting habits that you can help them develop to keep those pesky germs at bay.
When it comes to boosting immunity, there are some great habits that both kids and adults can adopt. Some of these habits are super simple, like staying hydrated and getting enough sleep. Other habits, like eating immunity-boosting foods and practicing good hand hygiene, may take a little more effort.
Fortunately, with some creativity and fun, you can turn these healthy habits into something that your kids will love.
Tasty Immune Boosting Kids Snacks and Foods
What we put into our bodies plays a significant role in our overall health, so it’s essential to ensure that we feed our kids nutrient-rich foods. One of the best healthy habits for kids is incorporating some immunity-boosting foods into their diet.
Fortunately, there are many great immunity-boosting foods available. They’re healthy, tasty, kid-friendly, and easy to incorporate into your family’s diet. Here are a few vitamin and nutrient-rich foods for kids that you can work into their daily routine.
Citrus fruits – Lemons, oranges, and grapefruits are all great sources of Vitamin C, which is a key nutrient for immunity. Adding sliced oranges to their breakfast or packing a small lemonade in their lunch are great ways to help them get their daily dose of Vitamin C.
Berries – Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are all packed with antioxidants and vitamins that help boost immunity. Fortunately, berries are an absolute favorite for many kids. You can add them to their breakfast cereal, pack them as a snack, or even use them to top off a healthy dessert.
Yogurt – Yogurt is an excellent source of probiotics, the live bacteria that helps keep the gut healthy. Luckily, there are plenty of kid-friendly yogurt options like Activia and Little Chobani Probiotic that are absolutely delicious.
Leafy greens – Spinach, kale, and other leafy greens are loaded with nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E that help support immunity, but they’re not typically a favorite for kids. A simple way to sneak some leafy greens into their diet is by adding them to smoothies or delicious pasta sauces.
Establish Good Hygiene Practices Through Playfulness
Help your kids develop healthy habits by making them fun. When it comes to good hygiene, there are plenty of ways to turn handwashing into a fun activity.
For example, you can turn on some music and have a handwashing dance party, have a contest to see who can get the soap to make the most bubbles, or let them pick out their favorite scented soap.
You can also turn good hygiene practices into a game by creating a chart to track how frequently they wash their hands during the day. Make things rewarding by giving them stickers each time they use proper handwashing techniques.
Teaching children why they need to wash their hands is also important so take the time to explain what germs are in a fun way that they can understand.
Have Some Fun Outdoors
There are endless opportunities for outdoor activities that are not only fun but also great for immunity. A daily dose of Vitamin D, which we get from exposure to sunlight, is one of the greatest immunity-boosting habits and activities you can do with your kids.
So, get outside and enjoy the great outdoors with your kids. Have some family fun at the park or take a bike ride around the neighborhood. Running around in the fresh air, playing tag, climbing trees, and jumping on the trampoline are all great ways for kids to get some heart-healthy exercise while also getting some much-needed vitamin D.
Proper Hydration is Essential for Kids
One of the most critical immune boosting habits for kids is to make sure they’re adequately hydrated. Water is essential for the proper function of your child’s body, and it plays a key role in their immunity.
Unfortunately, most children don’t drink enough water throughout the day, so it’s essential to ensure they’re getting enough. While it’s definitely not a fan favorite compared to juices and sodas, there are ways to make water more enjoyable for kids.
Hydration Tips for Children
Add familiar flavors: There are many ways to flavor water, so it’s more enjoyable for kids. You can add fresh berries to make fruit-infused water or add a splash of 100% juice. There are also kid-friendly water enhancers that come in fun flavors like fruit punch and pink lemonade.
Use a fun cup or straw: Kids are more likely to drink water if they’re using a cup or straw that they enjoy. You can find all sorts of fun cups and straws at your local store or online.
Add bubbles: If your kid loves sodas, you can make a healthy version at home by adding some carbonation or soft bubbles to their flavored water. This way, they still get the bubbles and fizz that they love without all the sugar.
Let them help: Children are more likely to drink water if they’re involved in the process. Let them help fill up their cup or water bottle and choose the fruits or flavors they want to add. This will make them more likely to drink it throughout the day.
Give them the best possible water: Not all water is created equal, so it’s best to make every sip count. Our Weo water bottles have an advanced filtration system that conditions and augments your standard tap water down to the very molecule. As an added bonus, our portable water bottle makes it easier for them to stay hydrated on the go.
Healthy Habits for Kids Can be Fun
There are countless ways to make healthy habits fun for kids. From adding flavor to their water to turning good hygiene practices into a game, there are plenty of ways to get your kids excited about immunity-boosting habits.
As parents, it’s our job to help our children develop healthy habits that will benefit them for a lifetime. These immunity-boosting habits are a great place to start, and by making them fun, you’ll be setting your kids up for success.
