Winter weather doesn’t hit North Texas often—but when it does, it tends to disrupt everything. Over the past few days, schools in McKinney, across Texas, and much of the US have been closed due to snow and ice, leaving families suddenly juggling work, kids, and unexpected time at home.
While snow days can be fun, there’s one thing that often gets overlooked during these routine shake-ups: hydration.
Why Snow Days Disrupt Hydration Habits
On a normal school day, hydration happens almost automatically. Kids drink water:
- During scheduled breaks
- At lunch
- After recess or PE
- When teachers remind them
When school closes, that built-in structure disappears. Instead, days often look like:
- More screen time
- Less physical movement
- Fewer reminders to drink water
- Easy access to snacks—but not always water
The result? Kids can go hours without drinking enough, even while sitting indoors all day.
Cold Weather Doesn’t Mean Less Hydration Is Needed
One common misconception is that hydration matters less in cold weather. In reality:
- Heated indoor air is dry and increases fluid loss
- Kids may not feel thirsty, even when their bodies need water
- Dehydration can still cause headaches, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating
Because thirst cues drop in colder weather, visual reminders become even more important.
5 Tips to Keep Kids Hydrated on Snow Days
Snow days don’t need a complicated plan. Small, visible habits go a long way.
1. Make Water Visible
If water bottles are tucked away, they’re easy to forget. Keep them:
- On the table
- Near screens
- In the same room kids are spending time
2. Tie Water Breaks to Screen Breaks
A simple rule works well:
“Every screen break = a few sips of water.”
This keeps hydration paired with something kids already understand.
3. Turn Hydration Into a Game
Kids respond better to interaction than instruction.
Tracking progress—visually and physically—helps hydration feel fun rather than forced.
4. Keep Routines Loose but Consistent
Snow days don’t need strict schedules, but a rhythm helps:
- Morning water
- Midday refill
- Afternoon reminder
- Evening wind-down sip
Consistency matters more than perfection.
5. Try the GWaT Snow Day Hydration Challenge
Make hydration a full-blown game! Use the GWaT Snow Day Hydration Challenge to guide kids through a series of hydration moments with visual tracking, turning water intake into a fun challenge and helping habits stick—even after the snow melts.
Hydration Helps More Than You Think
Staying hydrated supports:
- Energy levels
- Mood
- Focus (especially during long indoor days)
- Overall wellness when routines are disrupted
When kids feel better, snow days tend to go more smoothly for everyone.
Building Habits That Last Beyond the Storm
Weather disruptions come and go—but hydration habits should stick. Tools that make water intake visible, interactive, and engaging can help kids (and adults) stay consistent, even when schedules change.
Snow on the ground won’t last forever, but the habits built during these off-routine days can.
❄️ The GWaT Snow Day Hydration Challenge 💧
Track it. Pop it. Stay hydrated—even when school is closed.
Snow days throw off routines—but hydration habits don’t have to disappear with the school schedule. That’s why we created the GWaT Snow Day Hydration Challenge, a simple and fun way for kids to stay hydrated at home.
The GWaT Challenge Goal
Use visual tracking to help kids remember to drink water consistently throughout the day—without constant reminders.
Each sip = progress you can see and feel.
How to Do the GWaT Snow Day Challenge
- Fill your water bottle in the morning
- Choose a hydration goal for the day
- Every time you drink water, track it visually
- Try to complete all hydration moments by bedtime
Hydration doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be consistent.
GWaT Snow Day Hydration Moments
✔ Morning wake-up sip
✔ Screen-time water break
✔ Snack + water combo
✔ Midday refill
✔ After-movement sip
✔ Afternoon focus sip
✔ Dinner-time drink
✔ Evening wind-down sip
Complete them all? You’re officially a Snow Day Hydration Champion! 🏆
Why GWaT Makes This Easier
GWaT turns hydration into something kids can:
- See
- Touch
- Track
- Enjoy
Instead of guessing whether they’ve had enough water, kids can follow along visually—making hydration part of their day, even when routines change.
Build the Habit—Even After the Snow Melts
Snow days end. Hydration habits shouldn’t.
Tools that make hydration interactive and visible help kids stay consistent at home, at school, and everywhere in between.
GWaT is your goal? 💧
