Kid-friendly teas can teach children healthier habits early on in life 

Children can be very picky eaters. They are often drawn to sweet or high-calorie foods and beverages because they “taste better.” Help them create better, healthier habits by introducing them to tasty kid-friendly teas. 

What are the best healthy tea ingredients for your children? In this article, we’ll talk about the health benefits of tea for children and share some kid-approved healthy tea ingredients and combinations. 

Is tea safe for children?

Yes, tea can be a safe and healthier alternative to sugary drinks for children. Because some teas, mainly herbal and fruity teas, can be sweet, many children may consider them an acceptable alternative to pop and juices with high artificial sugar content. 

That said, there are some precautions and considerations if giving tea to children: 

• Caffeine content – Their smaller size means that it doesn’t take as much caffeine as an adult to feel the stimulating effects. Also, be mindful that caffeinated beverages can cause dehydration faster in children due to their smaller bodies. Caffeine is not recommended for children under 12. 
• Not under six months – It’s not generally recommended to give tea to infants, even herbal tea, as it could contain harmful bacteria or cause allergic reactions. 
• Allergies – check the label to ensure your child is not allergic to any of the ingredients. 

How much tea can children safely drink?

Choose teas like peppermint, ginger chamomile, fruits and lemon that have a sweeter taste for a child’s palate

Before choosing a tea for your child, be aware of any potential allergies or risks. Many tea ingredients are members of the same family as common allergens for kids, like ragweed, so always read the label and consult a health professional if you are unsure. 

Children can consume 1-3 cups of tea per day depending on their age, weight, and tea variety. Too much tea can lead to harmful amounts of tea herbs.  

What are popular tea ingredients for children and why?

Kids generally like sweeter flavours. Here are a few tea ingredients that children seem to love:

• Peppermint or mint: This reminds children of candy canes and helps ease common cold and flu symptoms, including sore throats, upset stomachs, and coughs.
• Ginger: Do your children like ginger candies or cookies? Then they might like ginger tea to provide relief when they have an upset stomach or gas. 
• Chamomile: Children seem to have unlimited energy, and sometimes they just need a little help to slow and calm down. Chamomile tea can help their mind and body relax.
• Fruits: Most children love the sweet notes of raspberries, blueberries, and peaches. They are also common herbal tea ingredients too. It can be a great way to transition them away from unhealthy fruit juice. 
• Lemon balm or lemon: If your child loves lemon, fresh lemon balm tea is a good option as it can have antiviral properties. Similarly, try some tea made from hot water and freshly squeezed lemon when they have a sore throat. 

How to brew children’s teas

Steep teas for a shorter period of time and serve lukewarm, with a dollop of honey for kid-friendly tastes!

When steeping loose leaf tea for children, you generally want it to be weaker in flavour intensity, so it will be a quicker steep than you would for an adult. Either use fewer tea leaves or steep for a shorter time. You can add additional cold water to the tea to help dilute it if it’s too strong; that can also help the beverage cool faster.  

Speaking of temperature, you’ll also want to pay closer attention to the water temperature, so the child doesn’t burn themselves. Like when brewing tea for adults, opt for fresh or filtered water when possible. Then brew the tea in boiling water (100^oC), but let it cool on the counter until it’s lukewarm before serving it to a child. 

Does your child need a little extra sweetness for their tea? Instead of adding sugar, consider a small amount of natural honey if needed. 

Shelf life of tea leaves

Over time the tea loses its aromaticity and flavour. Even though you’ll be diluting tea for children, the freshest leaves always provide the best flavour base and help it retain more of its nutritional properties. 

Loose leaf teas are best enjoyed within 12-18 months of opening. You can store unopened containers of tea in a dark, cool, moisture-free space for up to 10 years.

Healthy Children’s tea blends

Children can be picky eaters, but Natteas healthy tea blends are sure to win over the young ones in your life:

Herb and Fruit Tea: Bubblegum – Kid’s Tea

Herb and Fruit Tea: Bumblefruit – Kid’s Tea

Herb and Fruit Tea: Tutti Fruitti – Kid’s Tea

Herb and Fruit Tea: Yummy Berry – Kid’s Tea

If your child turns up their nose at hot tea, try offering them iced tea instead. It’s also easy to turn a hot tea blend into a cool one for children by steeping the tea, cooling it, and adding ice cubes. You can add a touch of natural sweetener like honey if needed. 

For kid-friendly tea, check out the teas we have in stock at Natteas.