As summer soon approaches, many parents will be thinking about keeping their kids entertained and well-hydrated during the hot days. Water is a healthy beverage choice, but getting the young ones to choose water over sugary beverages can often feel like an uphill battle. Today, beverages account for 47 percent of added sugars in the U.S. American diet and more than 13 percent of calories consumed per day. Replacing a single 12-ounce, 140 calorie sugar-sweetened beverage with water each day for a year can cut more than 50,000 calories from one’s diet. This summer, arm yourself with the following creative tips to keep your family healthy, happy and hydrated:

Prepare ahead of time. Sort out a week’s worth of bottled waters at the beginning of the week for lunches or on-the-go events. Store them in the freezer and remove when needed to stock lunches, backpacks or gym bags. The water will be on hand to drink when your children are thirsty and ready.

Get silly with your cups. Have cups, straws, lids and other drinking “equipment” available to provide to your kids to help make drinking water more fun. Empower them to fill their own cups of water, and praise them when they do.

Use “fun tactics” to personalize bottles or cups. Try storing a disposable cup or water bottle on a low shelf or in the side door of the refrigerator, and label it with your child’s initial. You can use a favorite character sticker or trinket to identify their specific cup or bottle, or designate a special space in the fridge just for your child’s water!

Integrate water drinking habits into playtime. During play dates or other group events designate an adult Water Captain to help with hydration. The captain sets an alarm on his/her phone for various intervals, depending on conditions such as temperature and the type and level of play. Each time the alarm sounds the group breaks for water.

Create a reward system. Create a chart or graphs (or log it online) together with your child, and help them meet their goals with frequent reminders throughout the day. If goals are met, reward them with a water-centric item, such as a personalized water bottle or novelty straw.

Tapping into your family’s creativity will encourage everyone to participate and develop healthy habits over time. This year Nestlé Pure Life is also helping to make drinking water not just a healthy choice but also a fun one by kicking off an interactive contest. Visit www.shareyoursmilecontest.com for details on how to submit your child’s drawing of “What Makes Them Smile” for a chance to have their child’s design included in the 2017 Share-a-Smile bottle label collection, plus additional prizes.