I find my water kefir to be pretty easy although I just got milk kefir grains for Christmas and they are UNBELIEVABLY easy.
I have found that, with water kefir, I need to add a little bit of honey to the second ferment if I want it to get fizzy. Maybe I'm not using enough juice?
Anyway, just made a batch of "root beer" today by adding some honey and 1/2 t. root beer extract to my second ferment.
The Urchin loves kefir too.
I love being able to give her "juice" without having a lot of suger.