When choosing, pay attention to water bottle size, material, and insulation—especially if your child will want to keep water cool enough to drink for hours on end. Safety is another important factor, according to Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP, a pediatric feeding expert, “containers that have a screw-off lid, allowing the child to drink directly from the vessel, should have a wide opening to ensure that kids don’t stick their tongue inside the narrow necks of some bottles.” We reviewed water bottles from the top brands with these features in mind. Here are the best water bottles for your kiddos. Our top pick, the Contigo AutoSeal Stainless water bottle, features an easy-to-access spout that seals tightly with little effort, a stainless finish that keeps water cold for hours, and an unbreakable outer layer that can withstand playground abuse. There’s a fine line between a leaky water bottle and one that seals so tightly that your kid can’t get to their water without help. And finding one that avoids both scenarios can feel like detective’s work, but this Contigo water bottle does just that. This water bottle is pretty large at 24 ounces, so it may be best for bigger kids (our recommendation is 8 years old and up), but it’s insulated to keep water cold throughout the school day and well into after-school sports practice. The stainless version comes with a top that’s available in five fun colors. Price at time of publication: $28 The Rehydrate Pro comes in a variety of painted stainless colors and designs, so your kids should be able to find one that suits them just right. Price at time of publication: $18 Price at time of publication: $16 Recommended for ages 3 and up, the bottle measures 3 x 8.4 inches, so it’s small enough to fit in some car seat cupholders (check your manual first). Pick from a variety of colors or add texts, monograms, designs, and more for fun customization. Price at time of publication: $30 Price at time of publication: $23 The 12-ounce size makes these a great choice for the younger set, and a double-insulated inner and outer layer keeps beverages cold all day long, no matter how hot it gets at the park. Price at time of publication: $19 Price at time of publication: $17 The Hydro Flask is double insulated to keep hot beverages hot and cold ones cold for longer than just about any other water bottle out there. Innovative design elements like a honeycomb pattern at the lid and double-wall insulation inside the bottle work together to help this water bottle go the distance. Price at time of publication: $45 A screw-on top is great at preventing leaks while an integrated handle makes it a snap to take off. If you’d prefer a different top, LifeFactory brilliantly sells several different lid options, each of which is interchangeable with any of their water bottle sizes. Options include a flip cap, a straw top, and a press and go top. Price at time of publication: $18
What to Look for in a Water Bottle for Kids
Size
Teenagers need more water than younger kids, especially if they play sports, so a larger water bottle around 24 ounces or more will better suit their needs. A 12-ounce water bottle should be adequate for younger kids. Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP, tells Verywell Family you don’t want a container that has too small of an opening as that could be a safety problem. “Containers that have a screw-off lid, allowing the child to drink directly from the vessel, should have a wide opening to ensure that kids don’t stick their tongue inside the narrow necks of some bottles,” she says. “There have been instances where kids sucked water quickly and with enough force to cause the tongue to stick inside the neck of the bottle, causing serious injury.”
Use
Water bottles vary from wide mouths to spouts to straws. Consider the primary reason why your child will be using the water bottle when purchasing. Water bottles with spouts are preferable for kids playing sports because they can swig water without spilling it everywhere. Spouts and straws work well for younger kids, too, since they are apt to end up with a soaking wet shirt if they drink out of a wide-mouth bottle. For kids who want to add ice or fruit to their water, a wide-mouth bottle will make it easier, and it is also easier to clean.
Material
To keep water cold for several hours, choose a stainless steel insulated water bottle. Otherwise, it’s a matter of personal preference. Most plastic water bottles are BPA-free nowadays but check to be sure. The downside of plastic is that it will not keep water cold for as long as an insulated bottle, but the plus side is that plastic water bottles aren’t as heavy as stainless steel, so they are lighter to carry around. Whether you go with plastic, stainless steel, or another material, keep in mind you just want the drink to stay cold. “Pop-up insulated containers are ideal for travel or school, keeping beverages cold and the drinking surface clean and undercover and snapped shut via a dome or pop-up lid," Potock says.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Lainey Younkin, MS, RD, LDN, is a registered dietitian and toddler mom who believes in evidence-based recommendations for your kids. She researched recommendations from the CDC and consulted a speech-language pathologist and feeding specialist for the most up-to-date, research-backed guidelines on hydration and the most appropriate water bottles for children. She would recommend any of these water bottles to her patients, friends, or family. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, boys and girls ages 4 to 8 years old need 7 cups per day, girls ages 9 to 13 need 9 cups per day, boys ages 9-13 need 10 cups per day, girls ages 14-18 need 10 cups per day, and boys ages 14-18 need 14 cups per day. Keep in mind this includes total water intake from water, other beverages, and food like fruits and vegetables, so actual cups of water could be a little less. “Choose one with a straw that doesn’t have a valve for easier cleaning. Ideally, the straw should not be rectangular or require bite-and-sip motor patterns,” Potock explains. “Biting and then drinking is not a typical pattern for children learning to drink, so speech pathologists generally discourage these types of water bottles.”
