6 Best Water Bottles For Kids: Safe And Non-Toxic

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Published by 
Jess Miller
Last updated: 
March 12, 2024

Whether your child is two or 10, it’s important to encourage drinking water. As your little one outgrows their baby bottles, you'll need to find the best water bottle for your child.

An active child needs to drink plenty of water, and a fun, effective water bottle can help your kid drink plenty of water. There are plenty of options of the market, but it can be tough to find a water bottle that is designed for kids, affordable and spill-proof. This complete guide will help you find the perfect water bottle for your family.

Once you read the FAQs and compare each water bottle, you’ll be able to choose the best option for your unique child. If you love your child’s water bottle, many of these brands also sell full-sized versions. Promote healthy habits by choosing the best water bottle for kids.

FAQs

Is My Water Bottle Safe?

Safety is a parent’s number one concern. It’s very important to provide your child with the safest, most effective products. The water bottles on this list are of either stainless steel or plastic. Stainless steel water bottles are non-toxic and are resistant to mold growth. The plastic bottles are all BPA-free, so you won’t have to worry about chemicals with either choice. Be sure to clean your child’s water bottle regularly. Some bottles are harder to clean, depending on the spout design, so you may need a bottle brush to scrub the entire water bottle effectively.

Related Post: How to clean baby bottles and sippy cups

What Spout Options Are Available?

Whether your small child needs a straw or your older child prefers a wide-mouth bottle, there are many different spout options available on this list. Consider your child’s preferences, but also consider the range of use. Stainless steel bottles can be used for hot drinks, but some of the stainless steel designs have a straw spout that isn’t practical for drinking hot chocolate or other hot beverages. Find the right balance between easily-drinkable and easily-washable bottles and lids.

Do These Water Bottles Leak?

While some customers have reported leaks in some of the bottles, many more customers have indicated a long life of leak-free use. Each of these bottles was designed to have an extra-tight seal, while at the same time being easy to open. Whether your child is taking the water bottle to soccer practice, in their school lunchbox or simply sipping around the house, it’s important to have a bottle that’s usable and leak-proof.

Are They Insulated?

Each of the stainless steel bottles is insulated, while the plastic bottles aren’t. Insulated bottles keep water cold and hot drinks warm all day long. However, stainless steel bottles also cost more than plastic ones.

Some kids prefer water that isn’t ice-cold, so a stainless steel bottle may actually be too insulated for some families. Determine the type of bottle you are looking for, and choose one of the several options of insulated or non-insulated bottles on this list.

Can I Use a Water Bottle for Hot Drinks?

Stainless steel water bottles are not only insulated but also safe for hot drinks. Be careful with your young kids, because you may be surprised at how long these bottles retain heat. Be sure the beverage is cool enough to drink before giving it to your child.

Don’t use plastic water bottles for hot liquids, and consider the spout of stainless steel bottles. If you want to use the water bottle for both hot and cold drinks, a straw may not be the best spout.

How Much Water Should Kids Drink?

It’s no secret that kids need to drink water, but exactly how much should they be drinking? If your child is between 5 and 8 years old, you should encourage him or her to drink at least five glasses of water daily. 9 to 12-year-olds should be drinking at least seven glasses of water, and children 13 and older should have between eight to 10 glasses of water a day.

The exact amount will change depending on your child’s weight, age and activity level, so contact your pediatrician if you’re concerned with the amount of water he or she is drinking. If you’re like most parents, you’ll probably be realizing your kid doesn’t drink enough water. Sometimes a fun, easy-to-use water bottle is all a child needs to remember and feel motivated to drink water.

How We Reviewed

Any bottle that allows your child to drink water safely throughout the day is an excellent water bottle. However, we have selected some of the most popular, highest-rated bottles currently on the market.

These bottles are highly rated by professionals and customers alike, and come in a wide range of prices, features and colors. There’s a lot of personal preference when it comes to choosing the perfect water bottle, so decide with your child which one will be the best water bottle for your child’s lifestyle.

Price Range

Most water bottles on this list are very reasonably priced. However, there arepremium, innovative water bottles that are more expensive. Insulated stainless steel water bottles are usually slightly more expensive than plastic bottles, so decide which type fits your child’s lifestyle and fits your budget.

Best Water Bottles for Kids

Thermos F4046TLL Funtainer Stainless Kids Water Bottle

This compact and durable water bottle is especially convenient for sipping iced water all day long. It’s a bit smaller, at only 10 ounces. However, the straw design and carrying handle make it a very convenient option for a school lunch or after-school activity.

The main body is polished stainless steel, but there are five different accent colors to match your kid’s personality. It’s insulated so that water will stay cold for the entire day.

Customers love the size and portability of this water bottle. However, the straw spout isn't removable from the lid, and several customers found their toddler could easily chew marks in the straw. If you are looking for a water bottle for a teething toddler, this isn’t the best option for you.

Gululu Interactive Smart Water Bottle

Yes, a kids water bottle that is quite pricey and yes, it’s very popular. Check out the interactive features of the Gululu water bottle, and you’ll see why so many parents love this high-tech option. The bottle has a screen that connects to an app on your phone. It features a small, virtual pet that your child can interact with and take care of.

The bottle tracks the amount of water your child drinks and encourages him or her to continue to drink enough water. In addition, the screen offers educational games for your child to learn more about healthy living in a fun and child-friendly way. This company also donates a portion of its profits to Generosity.Org, which increases access to clean water for children in developing countries.

If your child is strongly resistant to drinking water, this is an excellent way to encourage him or her. However, it’s a very expensive bottle, so it isn’t the most cost-effective if your child already drinks the recommended amount of water.

Zulu Torque Kids Water Bottle

With four color options and a stylish, kid-friendly design, Zulu Torque water bottles are a great way to keep your kid well-hydrated. The sturdy bottle comes with a comfortable silicone exterior, which helps your child hold this bottle while on the move.

It has a flip-top design with a straw spout, so it’s great for toddlers who are transitioning away from bottles. Customers love the stylish look and easy-to-open lid. However, some customers feel the plastic bottle isn’t as durable as other bottles, particularly stainless steel varieties.

CamelBak Eddy Kids Water Bottle

An excellent brand for both full-sized and kids bottles, CamelBak features a 12-ounce bottle with a bite spout that is great for kids of all ages. The Eddy kids water bottle comes with an astonishing number of graphics and color options, so your child will find his or her favorite bottle easily.

Its spill-proof design makes this bottle perfect for sports, and it’s far easier to clean than many other bottles due to the wide-mouth opening. However, this bottle uses the classic CamelBak bite spout. This straw-like spout can be difficult for younger children to get used to and is not appropriate for children under 3 years old.

Some customers have had difficulties with leaky or moldy water bottles. You need to clean the spout regularly, and you should store it with the spout closed completely in order to remain spill-proof. If you’re a fan of CamelBak water bottles, introduce your child to the convenience of these excellent bottles.

Nalgene Tritan Grip-N-Gulp Water Bottle

Another popular name for water bottles of all sizes, the Nalgene Tritan Grip-N-Gulp uses a unique straw-like spout and comes in a wide variety of colors and graphics.

The lid has a convenient handle design and is shaped to form a spout that is easy to use as a straw. This clear, 12-ounce bottle makes it easy for children to drink plenty of water and allows you to identify how much water is left easily.

Customers love how spill-proof and affordable this water bottle is, and find it easy to clean. However, this water bottle isn’t insulated and can’t be used with any hot liquids.

Contigo Thermalock Stainless Steel Kids Water Bottle

Durable, kid-friendly graphics and an easy-to-drink spout make this popular water bottle a great choice. The mouthpiece is wide, comfortable and easy to drink quickly. The cap is a screw-on, so it may be difficult for children under 3 to open it, particularly if it is tightly screwed on.

Customers love how convenient these bottles are, and how durable the steel holds up. However, some customers feel these water bottles chip and dent much more easily than other stainless steel bottles.

The Verdict

Once you find the best water bottle for kids, you’ll be amazed at the amount of water your child will drink. Sometimes all it takes is a fun, easy-to-use container, and drinking water doesn’t feel like a chore anymore. There are plenty of options to choose from, so be sure to look over each one.

If you want an inexpensive option, consider the Contigo kids water bottle. For a high-tech and interactive way to help your child drink more water, consider the Gululu bottle. Whichever option you choose, you are helping your child practice one of the most important habits of his or her life.

Many of these bottles are simply smaller versions of adult-sized water bottles, so consider buying a matching bottle. That way, your child will feel like an adult when they drink from a stylish and effective bottle.

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