Lack of healthy options for kids drinks?

The fermentations means kombucha is very slightly alcoholic. That’s why it can’t be given to kids.

Rooibos, camomile tea, lavender tea, decaf tea, fruit teas. Yorkshire tea (with caffeine) occasionally from around 5 - I drank it from younger and my son is now a teen and it’s done him no harm Decaf coffee. Caffeinated milky coffee occasionally. I am not fussed about caffeine as long as it’s early in the morning on a weekend but it doesn’t affect my children negatively. Watered down fruit juice. Milk. Water, kefir. Kombucha is also an option if it’s early in the day.

As they get older I find a hot drink means they have to sit and chat to you for a while. Also it is associated with relaxation (in my house). A warm camomile in a favourite mug before bed and a book helps my teenager relax. He has told me it’s one of his favourite times of the day. It’s a small treat, inexpensive and can be done daily with or without company. Something to look forward to after playing a cold match outdoors or after a stressful day. He will chat to me for 20 mins while drinking it some evenings. If he is sad or upset or angry I ask if he’d like a cup of tea. It’s never refused! It always helps.

I have two little ones and they drink water 95% of the time, so I don't an occasional juice or babychino is going to hurt them if we're out. I don't think they particularly need a fancier drink. Both mine do like a lukewarm peppermint tea though, so you could try that if you really want them to have something different.

Water, milk or fruit juice is what my kids have. I'd rather they have fruit juice than artificial squash

Weird thread. Kids can have almost anything adults can unless it’s too much caffeine or alcohol of course. My kids mostly drink sparkling water - my son likes it with a splash of lemon juice. We have a soda stream so it’s always available. I prefer regular water to anything else you’ve listed.

What’s wrong with water or juice?

I honestly don't understand your issue fizzy water kids can have kamucha is an acquired taste and not every adult have it, just water down juice or give them water when they are out.

If they drink mostly water at home and school I don’t have a problem with an occasional fruit juice or squash

Water at home, soda drinks for the occasional celebration. A fizzy drink occasionally won’t harm, and banning it entirely can just make them want it more. I sometimes buy Dash drinks, and Appletiser seems innocuous.

Just get the healthier adult option like sparkling water and give it to the child?

There’s nothing wrong with the occasional glass of juice. 🤷🏻‍♀️ We eat out about 4 times a year. They have an appletizer which is not going to kill anyone.

Am I the only one wondering how often anyone can afford to eat out for this to be a problem you'd think seriously about?

I just order an apple juice and dilute it with water if we’re on holiday and eating out a lot and/or it’s hot and I want them to hydrate. I wouldn’t be getting worked up about a juice or squash if we’re talking occasional meals out. Lots of places do also have diet lemonade if the sugar is your primary concern, and nothing stopping the kids having a dash water if they’re on the menu. I’ve never heard the under 7s thing (I thought that was slushies?) and I know a lot of young kids don’t enjoy fizzy drinks, but if your kids aren’t toddlers and it’s very occasional I can’t see what harm it could possibly do. Really they have the same options open to them as adults ex. tea, coffee or booze.

I mean how often are you eating out? It can't be more than once or twice a week. In which case a glass of sugar free squash once a week sounds more than fine to me. Or even juice! Live a little!

YABU, as children have almost the same options as adults, barring alcohol and tea/coffee. I do find it annoying that venues in the UK don't sell milk in small cartons (same size as juice boxes), like they do in northern Europe, but I suppose they can have babyccinos as an alternative.

Children can have sparkling water, and if you want something with more taste but don't like artifical flavours or added sugar/sweetners, you can always take your own water bottle and fill it with fruit (you can buy water bottles with a central funnel for fruit, so the flavour goes into the water, but you don't get bits of fruit in your mouth while drinking) or a squeeze/slice of lemon or orange.

kids can have sparkling water as well as adults.
dont forget that eating out is supposed to be pleasurable so as long as it’s in moderation an occasional drink of something other than milk or water is not going to do any harm to your children.

But there is only water, milk or sweet (whether with sugar, sweeteners or naturally occurring sugars in juice) in adults drinks too? Except maybe a bloody mary which may be lower sugar and no sweeteners. If you don't want water, milk or anything sweetened...I don't know what you want or what you think is available to adults that isn't available to children. Booze?

There are those flavoured water drinks (the ones like dash and aqua libra and similar - not the ones with sweeteners)?

@Eseedeepee - sorry I meant to say I think your solution of watered down juice is sensible.
At their young age, they will still feel like they are getting a treat or something different when out, just like the adults. No reason to give them things you would rather not - plenty of time for all that and when teens they will definitely be accessing all these sweet drinks!

Unless you're taking your kids out every night for meals I don't see the issue. Its all about balance. If their drinking water at home and school the odd drink out isn't going to matter. I always drank squash as a kid and the occasional fizzy drink, milkshake and juice I can't remember ever drinking water. And my teeth are perfect I had 1 filling at 32 and I was stick thin as a kid and I wasn't bouncing off the walls or hyper or anything like that.

My dc love a babycino, sometimes with sugar free vanilla syrup from Starbucks. The options usually include things children actually drink. There’s lots of kids in my school who only drink squash and won’t touch water.

Just saw this.
If under 7 then j would definitely just stick with water. Otherwise you will find they will drink whatever sweetened /flavoured drink constantly for the taste and won’t eat much and reject water.

Water is about the healthiest you can get

Anything that’s not water is not as healthy, for adults or not.

Massively overthinking it. Mine had the odd glass of squash or juice when out for food or at a party and then it’s just water on the menu at home. If it was a special treat or on holiday I’d let them have the occasional glass of coke. No one died.

Just water or milk at home - sound draconian but it’s just habit, healthy and cheap. As adults there is coffee, tea, wine etc
When they go out to eat, etc they will get juice, fizzy drinks, milk shakes -they are older teens now.

Got to admit I’m a bit confused by this. Why do they need a ‘kids’ drink why can’t you just by them whatever you deem to be a healthy drink? I’m may be a bit naive but I don’t really do healthy drinks. I just drink water if I want something caffeine / sugar free

My kids have an occasional fizzy soda thing on holiday but they mostly like sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon. They’re also cool with plain old H2O unless it’s a special occasion.