Well-intentioned parents may be tempted to send their children out to play or off to the game with a bottle of their favorite sports drink, hoping to keep them hydrated. You may be surprised to learn that in most cases, this isn’t a good idea.
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Ammons says for the majority of children participating in school athletic teams or activities, sports drinks are simply unnecessary. When activity is less than 60 minutes or is intermittent and not intense, plain water is all kids need to maintain hydration.