With little ones watching grown-up family members drink tea by the cupful, it’s no wonder they often want to try it for themselves. But is it acceptable for children to drink tea regularly or should caution be applied? Here’s everything you need to know. 

Should Children Drink Caffeinated Tea?

According to the American Academy of Paediatrics, children under twelve years of age should not have caffeine in any capacity. This means staying away from tea, coffee, energy drinks and a wide range of fizzy drinks. The NHS also confirms that caffeinated drinks are ‘unsuitable’ for toddlers and young kids (including black tea). This is because caffeine is a stimulant and can affect a child’s sleep. As sleep is crucial to youngsters, it’s best to avoid anything that might prevent them from getting enough shuteye. Caffeine can also temporarily increase blood pressure and heart rate which is not something kids should be subjected to. 

What if My Child Loves Tea?

If your child loves tea and always wants a brew every time you make one, then don’t panic. There are several ways to ensure they don’t consume too much caffeine. For example, you can get some decaffeinated tea. While this still has trace amounts of caffeine in, it has a lot less than regular tea, making it more child friendly. In addition, you can leave the tea to brew for less time. According to Healthline, steeping tea for an extra minute increases the caffeine by up to 29%, so for little ones, you can simply dunk the tea bag into the water a few times to get some colour and flavour, and then add milk. 

What About Herbal Teas?

Tea is part of everyday life. From family fun days out to sleepovers and holidays, everyone seems to drink tea. Even schools and offices are packed with tea drinkers. But this doesn’t mean your child has to miss out. There are plenty of alternatives on the shelves these days including herbal teas. As herbal and fruit teas or infusions don’t contain leaves or buds from the Camellia Sinensis plant, they’re naturally caffeine free. And there are many different varieties to dry including strawberry and raspberry, lemon and ginger, camomile, and peppermint.

Each herbal tea also offers its own health benefits. For example, camomile tea is very soothing and can help children sleep better. Peppermint is great for digestive issues and ginger can help with nausea. Rooibos teas are also rich in minerals and vitamins and are safe for all ages.

As well as their many health benefits, herbal teas offer an alternative to processed, sugary drinks which can lead to energy spikes and weight gain. They also keep children hydrated and ensure they get plenty of water throughout the day. When serving tea to children, however, always make sure it’s cooled to a safe temperature to avoid spills and burns. 

If you’re looking for family days out, don’t miss The Tiger Who Came To Tea which is currently on tour in the UK. Family fun things to do don’t get much better than this, so book your tickets today and enjoy plenty of clumsy chaos and interactive fun.