Hydrated Kids are Happy Kids
Suzanne Johnson July 6, 2008
My neighbor, Mason, is a biking fanatic. He’d rather ride than walk anywhere, even up the block. And on every biking trip, even just up the block, he dons his helmet, bike gloves, and hydration pack. This would be weird, if not for the fact that Mason is four years old - he received the hydration pack as a gift the day the training wheels came off.
For those unfamiliar with hydration packs, they are basically small, close-fitting backpacks with a sturdy plastic pouch inside that is filled with water. A rubber tube extends out from the pouch; to drink, you gently bite the end of the tube and suck like a straw. Bikers and hikers can sip on the fly - there’s no fumbling to get a water bottle in and out of the holder, and the packs hold twice the water as a bottle. The Cadmium from North Face is a popular example.
The tricky thing about dehydration is that by the time you feel thirsty, you’re already drying out. This is especially true with kids. With a higher skin-to-body mass ratio, they sweat out a greater percentage of water than adults – and kids are usually too busy having fun to stop for a drink. Serious dehydration can pose a real health risk, but even minor dehydration can put a damper on the day’s outing, causing fatigue, irritability, and headaches. With a hydration pack, kids take a sip here and a sip there, whenever their mouth starts to feel dry.
Providing kids with their own hydration packs has other benefits as well. Most packs have an extra pocket that can stash a few treats (very important for happy outings!) as well as safety items, in case the child gets separated from the group on a ride or hike. A loud whistle, identification and phone numbers, and maybe a few band-aids should be included. For older kids, a compass is a good addition to the pack – and be sure they know how to use it!
Just like a dog that learns that running shoes and a leash means a fun run is sure to follow, kids start to view their hydration pack as the start of a grand adventure. My kids wear theirs for everything from Frisbee golf to downhill skiing (neoprene tube covers keep the water from freezing.) Kids like to be self-sufficient and independent - it makes any outdoor recreation activity more fun.
Size and features can vary greatly from one pack to another, but one thing to be sure to look for is a sternum strap. This clips across the chest and keeps the shoulder straps from slipping down, especially if the pack is a little big. The packs themselves are usually made of cordura, and clean up beautifully when thrown in the wash. Just remove the plastic pouch first! One last note about the pouch - they can grow some interesting science experiments inside if not dried out from time to time. Avoid the muck by draining the pouch and tube after each use, and propping the pouch open to air dry.
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I don’t like the water belts and I’ve also found camelbaks and hand grips cumbersome so I have been working on a bottle that straps to your arm, just like mp3 players. Its called the Body Bottle and it came out last year, but we’re in the midst of release v2008 soon. If you check it out, let me know what you think - the link is http://www.bodybottle.com
[…] might carry a driver disc and a putter disc, but other than the discs and maybe a water bottle or hydration pack, there’s nothing to carry. A disc golf course has nine holes ending in large metal baskets, […]
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