Hi, I’m Shelly — mom of two, FDA attorney, and founder of Wave Kids™.
Wave all started with a simple question:
Why is it so hard to find a healthy kids drink that’s actually made for kids?
I’ve spent years reading labels, dodging sugary juice boxes, and frustrated with sports drinks and other beverages marketed towards kids that are packed with ingredients hard to pronounce, dyes, caffeine (oftentimes hidden), and additives. At every birthday party or soccer game, I’d see the tug of war: parents trying to limit the number of juice boxes to avoid the sugar spike and meltdown, and kids trying to reach for the brightest bottle - and I couldn’t blame them. Those drinks are designed to feel fun, in part because they are available on a limited or special basis. Meanwhile, the healthiest option, plain water, always felt like a punishment or an afterthought.
As a parent, I kept asking:
What if water didn’t feel boring? What if it felt fun, magical, and truly made for kids?
That’s when Wave Kids™ was created.
A Healthy Kids Drink That Feels Like a Celebration
I created Wave Kids because I wanted something better for my kids - and yours.
Kids get a significant source of added sugar in their diets from sugar sweetened beverages that can lead to a number of long-term health issues. At the same time, as the American Association of Pediatrics advises, what kids consume in their first 5 years of life shapes taste preferences over a lifetime. And, all kids need for their growing bodies is water.
So I set off to create a juice-alternative option that was healthier, felt exciting, that sparked imagination, and that gave kids something they’d actually want to reach for.
- We designed kid-sized aluminum cans (no plastic, no pouches) that are easy for kids to
finish in one sitting and for kid-sized hands to hold. Our cans are specifically designed to
be consumed in one sitting! Plus, everything tastes ‘cooler’ (both the vibe and the temp!) and more grown up out of a can!
- We use color-changing ink that transforms with sunlight or cold — turning hydration
into a moment of magic.
- And the best part? Our cans feature artwork created by real kids, so every sip feels
personal and playful.
No sugar. No hidden ingredients. No overwhelmingly large water bottles. Just a healthy kids drink made with care — and with kids at the center of every decision.
Because Healthy Should Still Feel Fun
As both a mom and a regulatory expert, I saw the disconnect between what kids love and what they should be drinking. So instead of asking kids to choose between fun and healthy — we decided to create a drink that gives them both.
We let kids help shape the brand, from the artwork to the packaging, because we aren’t just talking to kids — we are listening to them.
Wave Kids is here to celebrate:
- Healthier hydration habits
- Big imaginations
- And all the small moments that feel silly and special!
We’re Just Getting Started
Wave Kids isn’t just launching a drink — we’re launching a movement. We’re here to flip the script on what kids choose, crave, and consume. It’s time for a healthy kids drink that speaks their language: fun, silly, bold — and good for their growing bodies.
So here’s to no sugar crashes, more high fives, and finally having a healthy kids drink that kids are proud to choose.
Let’s help our kids build better hydration habits while still having fun along the way.
Join us in making waves.
With gratitude,
Shelly Garg
Founder, Wave Kids™
