Adults need to encourage children to drink water when playing in the heat. Kids tend to forget to drink when they are playing and need to be reminded. They usually don't instinctively drink enough fluid to replace what their body loses. Muscle work of any kind causes the body to lose water through sweat. This is true even when swimming or playing in other cool environments.
Dehydration is a very serious condition, especially in small children.
Watch for signs such as decreased frequency of urination, dark urine, and coated tongue. Signs of more severe dehydration include sunken eyes, nausea, muscle cramps and pain, clammy skin and a throbbing heart. If the child has any of these symptoms, seek advice from a physician immediately. Plain cold water is absorbed most quickly by the body. Each child should have their own personalized water bottle.