"If one only asked about drinks, one would have the impression that few children at these ages have had experience with alcohol, whereas the reality is that nearly seven times as many have had some experience," John E. Donovan of the University of Pittsburgh said in a statement. "Alcohol is most often sipped by children in the family context or during religious services, and almost never with friends or when alone."

Researchers questioned 452 children -- 214 boys, 238 girls -- ages 8 or 10, and their families from Allegheny County, Pa. The children reported their own sipping or tasting. Parents were also interviewed.

Children whose parents drink more frequently were at higher risk of having had a sip or taste of alcohol -- not due to parents having offered the children alcohol -- one-third of the mothers and half of the fathers whose children have sipped alcohol weren't aware it occurred.

The findings were published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.