This post is in partnership with Hiya. I only endorse products I believe in.
When I think about summer, I picture warm, beachy getaways, sweaty outdoor adventures, and long, sun-soaked days at the pool. It’s a season full of fun, relaxation, and exploration, but it’s also one of the most important times to keep kids hydrated. Hydration is crucial for their health, especially when they’re running around in the heat and sweating.
In fact, each day1, toddlers need about 4 cups of fluids, kids 4–8 need 5 cups, and older children need 7–8 cups, sometimes even more if they’re especially active or dealing with high heat and humidity. To help with that, I decided to try some of the most popular kids' hydration powders to see which ones are actually worth it. Here’s my honest take on Hiya Kids Daily Hydration, Pedialyte Electrolyte Powder, and Liquid I.V. Kids.
| Hydration Powder | Nutrition | Added Sugar | Manufacturing Safety | Dose | Cost |
| Hiya Kids Daily Hydration | 240mg of potassium, 85mg of sodium, 10mg of calcium, 25mg of magnesiumAdditional nutrients: vitamin C, iron, and prebiotic fiber | 0 grams | Third-party tested for quality, purity, and safety, Clean Label Project certified, No artificial ingredients, dyes, and flavors Non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free | 1 scoop | $58/canister, or $1.93/serving |
| Pedialyte Electrolyte Powder | 180mg of potassium, 260mg of sodium, 290mg chloride | 6 grams | Has artificial ingredients, sweeteners, dyes/colors, and flavors | 1 packet | $25.59/24 packets, or $1.07/serving |
| Liquid I.V. Kids | 190mg of potassium, 250mg of sodiumAdditional nutrients: Vitamin C, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and pantothenic acid | 6 grams | Contains artificial ingredients Non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free | 1 packet | $11.70/8 packets, or $1.46/serving |
Criteria #1: Nutrition
Many hydration drinks marketed for kids are actually designed for adults and often contain excessive added sugar, preservatives, and artificial additives, completely undermining their value as a nutritious, hydrating option. When choosing a hydration powder, I look for ones that contain no added sugar or artificial additives but still taste great.
Hiya
- Added sugars: 0g
- Packed with key electrolytes dosed specifically for kids
- Electrolytes for hydration: 240mg of potassium, 85mg of sodium, 10mg of calcium, and 25mg of magnesium.
- Additional nutrients: Includes vitamin C and iron for healthy growth, and 2g of prebiotic fiber to support digestive and gut health. Plus, it’s made with real fruits and Himalayan pink salt to keep it hydrating and delicious.
Pedialyte
- Added sugars: 6g
- Electrolytes for hydration: 180mg of potassium, 260mg of sodium, 290mg chloride
- Additional nutrients: None
Liquid I.V. Kids
- Added sugars: 6g
- Electrolytes for hydration: 190mg of potassium, 250mg of sodium
- Additional nutrients: Vitamin C, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and pantothenic acid
Nutrition winner: Hiya
Criteria #2: Ingredient Quality
When it comes to supplements, ingredient safety really matters. Since supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA, I look for brands that go the extra mile to ensure their products are clean, tested, and contain exactly what the label says.
Hiya
- Third-party tested for quality, purity, and safety
- Clean Label Project certified
- No artificial ingredients, dyes, and flavors
- Non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free
Pedialyte
- Does not explicitly mention quality or safety testing
- Contains artificial ingredients, sweeteners, dyes/colors, and flavors
Liquid I.V. Kids
- Does not explicitly mention quality or safety testing
- Contains artificial ingredients
- Non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free
Ingredient quality winner: Hiya
Criteria #3: Taste
There’s no point in picking a supplement that checks all the boxes if your kids won’t actually take it. To make it a sustainable habit, it has to taste good and be something they’ll look forward to, without it turning into a daily struggle.
Hiya
- Has the most delicious and kid-friendly berry flavor (that’s not overly sweet).
- It’s made with fruit powders from strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, cherry, and lemon to provide sweetness and flavor without any added sugars.
- Naturally sweetened with monk fruit and stevia leaf extract.
Pedialyte
- Comes in four fruit flavors: Strawberry, Fruit Punch, Grape, and Apple.
- Sweetened with added sugars and artificial sweeteners (acesulfame and sucralose).
Liquid I.V. Kids
- Comes in four fruit flavors: Cotton Candy, Tropical Punch, Crisp Apple, and Concord Grape
- Sweetened with added sugar and stevia leaf extract.
Taste winner: Tied – they all taste like sweet juice
Criteria #4: Cost
Hiya
$58/canister, or $1.93/serving.
Pedialyte
$25.59/24 packets, or $1.07/serving.
Liquid I.V. Kids
$11.70/8 packets, or $1.46/serving.
Cost winner: Pedialyte
Hiya Kids Hydration is my pick for best kids hydration supplement!
I’m choosing Hiya Kids Hydration because it provides all the nutrients kids need to stay hydrated without the sugar or compromising on flavor or quality. And the best part is I don’t even have to remind my kids to drink it, they just do!
✅Formulated for kids with essential nutrients for hydration
✅ZERO added sugar
✅Has extra nutrients such as vitamin C, iron, and prebiotic fiber
✅Third-party tested and Clean Label Project certified
✅No artificial ingredients, dyes, and flavors
✅Kid-approved and delicious taste
Get 50% off your first purchase with code NMM50
Author
