Hidden Dangers of Dehydration in Kids (And What Parents Can Do About It)

While parents may know that keeping their kids drinking fluids is essential, they may not realize how important it is. Knowing about dehydration is crucial so parents can ensure their kids stay adequately hydrated.

Nurturing Healthy Habits: Why Kids Need Real Ingredients Reading Hidden Dangers of Dehydration in Kids (And What Parents Can Do About It) 7 minutes

Mar 17, 2025

What Causes Dehydration in Kids?

The human body needs fluids to stay healthy and survive. For children, that daily amount varies depending on their age and activity level. Other factors can impact it as well, such as temperature and humidity.  For example, a child sitting indoors reading a book, won’t need as much fluid intake as a child playing soccer outdoors on a hot day. This is why it's a good idea for parents to always be prepared.

According to the National Institutes of Health, dehydration occurs when the body loses excessive water and, to a varying degree, electrolytes. The most common causes of dehydration are:

Illness – vomiting, diarrhea, and fever can cause rapid fluid loss and make it hard for kids to rehydrate.
Heat and exercise – kids who play sports, especially outdoors in hot weather, are at a higher risk for dehydration.
Not drinking enough water – many kids don't like to drink water, or they don’t think about it in cold weather when their thirst is suppressed, so they may not consume as many fluids as they should.

Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration in Kids

Many people would assume that being dehydrated means that someone is thirsty. It’s believed that by the time someone feels thirsty, they are already experiencing some level of dehydration. When a child says they are thirsty, it is a sign that they are likely dehydrated, but there are many other indicators as well.

Here are additional hidden and not-so-hidden signs of dehydration in children:

Headache
Fatigue
Difficulty concentrating
Crying without many tears
Darker colored urine
Fewer wet diapers/Less urine output
Irritability
Dry lips and mouth

Parents may notice that their child playing sports and sweating a lot may not be able to perform as well as they usually do. Especially if it's hot outside, they may have difficulty with their performance, as they lose body fluids and electrolytes through sweating. While risks for dehydration when physically active are higher when it's warm outside, kids can still become dehydrated even when it's cold. 

Many kids don't care to drink as much fluid when it's cold out, but their bodies still need fluids despite the outdoor temperature. Not having enough fluids and electrolytes impairs a child's physical and mental performance. They may not realize that there is an issue, so it's important that the adults around them know about dehydration so they can help them prevent the issue and address it if they spot the signs.

How to Prevent Dehydration in Kids

Preventing dehydration is everyone's priority, so there won't be any subsequent medical issues that need to be addressed. Looking for some kids hydration tips? Here are some things that parents and caregivers can do to help prevent dehydration in children:

Discuss hydration with kids so they understand and know the importance of staying hydrated. Be sure to also discuss signs and symptoms they may experience that means they need to drink more.
Make it easier for kids to stay hydrated. Whether buying them a special refillable water bottle they love or ensuring they have a favorite silly straw, making it a little more fun may entice them to drink more water.
Include other ways to get water into them that are not just fluids. For example, you can give them water-rich fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon, or make flavored electrolyte-based popsicles without added sugar using Cure Kids.
Have additional options available. Many kids don't like to drink plain water, or they get bored of it. This is where hydration electrolyte packets, such as those Cure Hydration, come in handy. They add some flavor to the water, which makes it taste great. Parents can also take comfort in knowing they replace and balance electrolytes and have clean ingredients.
Parents can set a good example by showing their kids how to include healthy fluids in their day. Children will likely follow suit by drinking healthy beverages and consuming foods with lots of water.

What to Do If Your Child is Dehydrated

Parents who notice that their child is mildly dehydrated should immediately get their child to start taking fluids. Ideally, an official Oral Rehydration Solution such as Cure Kids is a great option, so that the electrolytes and minerals they need are replenished. As mentioned above, having an electrolyte pack on hand to add to water efficiently addresses the issue. It makes it convenient and gives parents the peace of mind that the electrolytes are being addressed. Electrolytes for kids are really important, and I believe Cure is the best hydration drink for kids out there! 

Kids who are experiencing severe dehydration issues, especially when due to vomiting or diarrhea, should be seen by a medical professional right away. Children who are ill and becoming dehydrated may need more than drinking fluids and may be unable to keep them down, making it crucial to access other means of hydration, such as IV fluids. 

When kids are playing sports or being physically active, and parents suspect they may become dehydrated, they should have them take a break. A break in the shade will allow parents to assess the severity of the issue and allow them to take in liquids slowly. There is a balance that parents need to be mindful of so that they don't force too much water on children, which can lead to a drop in the body's sodium level. 

Staying hydrated seems like something we shouldn't have to give much thought to, but we do need to make it a regular part of our lives. Addressing this issue is a great step in helping to keep kids healthy and better able to perform physically and mentally. Drink on!