When choosing the best water bottle for your kids, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Durability – We want it to last for multiple years and be drop-resistant.
- Materials – we want a bottle to be made from long-lasting materials, but also save materials like stainless steel, silicon, and BPA-free plastic.
- Design – this includes ergonomics and also aesthetics. It needs to be easy to grab and hold with small hands, and it also needs to be easy to close and open without spills. And it needs to look fun for kids to be proud of using it.
- Size – if for adults we would choose something quite large, for kids we want to keep in mind how heavy the bottle is and how much they will be drinking. Depending on your kid’s age, you want to keep the bottle relatively small.
Here are water bottle for kids size recommendations:
| Toddlers (1–3) | 7–12 oz | Small, lightweight, easy to grip; meets lower hydration needs. |
| Preschool (4–8) | 12–16 oz | Practical for school; manageable size for small hands. |
| Older Kids (9–12) | 16–22 oz | Higher hydration needs; can handle slightly larger bottles. |
| Teens (13+) | 22–32 oz | Similar to adults; fewer refills needed, especially for active teens. |
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Best Stainless Steel Water Bottles For Kids
BrüMate Leap Leakproof Kids Tumbler
Capacity: 12 OZ
Colour variations: 16 (some are glow in the dark)
Age range: 4+
100% LEAKPROOF WHEN LOCKED: The Leap Series is the only kids’ straw tumbler that is 100% leakproof, designed to handle both cold and iced carbonated drinks.
Pros
+ easy to clean
+leak-proof when locked
+Eco-Conscious Design: The ColdKey™ Straw minimizes plastic exposure with a stainless steel construction
Cons
– can be tricky to close for younger kids
– some say that it is not durable when dropped
Bentgo Kids Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle
Capacity: 14 OZ
Colour variations: 4 (with dinosaur print)
Age range: 3+
KEEPS DRINKS COOL FOR UP TO 12 HOURS: The premium, 18/8 stainless steel and double-walled vacuum insulation keeps drinks cold for longer.
Pros
+ leak-proof when locked
+ easy to clean and dishwasher safe
+ easy to open: flip-up design makes it simple for little hands to open
+ 5-year warranty
Cons
– some say that it leaks after a few weeks of use
Hydro Flask Kids Water Bottle
Capacity: 12 OZ
Colour variations: 6
Age range: 3+
SLIMMER DESIGN: easier for small hands to hold and fits most cupholders
Pros
+ easy-to-clean Straw Cap
+ Bottle Boot for added protection
Cons
– can start to rust on the inside after a few months
– come say that the drink doesn’t stay cold for too long
Owala Kids FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Capacity: 16 OZ
Colour variations: 28
Age range: 3+
FREESIP SPOUT: with built-in straw that let’s you sip or swig
Pros
+ Triple layer insulated
+ Leak proof (when closed properly)
+ Carry loop that doubles as lock
Cons
– Hard to clean small areas
– Some say it can dent easily
YETI Rambler Jr. oz Kids Bottle
Capacity: 12 OZ
Colour variations: 15
Age range: 3+
NO SWEAT DESIGN: no wet hands and slipping.
Pros
+ Double-layer insulated with 18/8 stainless steel
+ Leak-proof (when closed properly)
+ Keeps water cold for hours
Cons
– Some say it’s hard to close it
– The sip area can be tricky to clean
THERMOS FUNTAINER Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Capacity: 12 OZ
Colour variations: 32
Age range: not specified
The double-wall stainless steel construction is built to handle drops.
Pros
+ Kids can open and close easily
+ Easy to disassemble the parts for cleaning
+ Sweat-proof exterior
Cons
– Straw can break after a few months of use
– Some say it leaks
Encool Kids Insulated Water Bottle with Straw
Capacity: 12 OZ
Color variations: 23
Age range: not specified
Dual drinking spouts.
Pros
+ keeps water cold all day
+ non-slippery grip with rubber
+ Can also be used for hot drinks
Cons
– Does not fit most cup holders
– Some say the lid is difficult to close
Takeya Actives Kids Glow-in-the-Dark Water Bottle
Capacity: 18 OZ
Colour variations: 3
Age range: 3+
GLOW-IN-THE DARK: Fun, bright colors for kids.
Pros
+ silicone cover for the base to prevent dents
+ non-slippery grip with rubber
+ Can also be used for hot beverages
Cons
– The lid can be hard to close properly
– Some say the straw breaks easily
IRON °FLASK Kids Water Bottle
Capacity: 10 OZ
Colour variations: 19
Age range: 3+
Leakproof STRAW LID: Our lid is BPA free, leakproof when in closed position and comes with a built in handle for easy carrying
Pros
+ The quality is great, very durable
+ keeps water cold
+ perfect size for small hands
Cons
– hand wash only
– The print scratches/comes off
Owala Kids Stainless Steel Tumbler
Capacity: 12 OZ
Colour variations: 7
Age range: not specified
Spill-resistant lid for less mess and stress
Pros
+ keeps drinks cold for hours and doesn’t sweat
+ Super easy to clean
+ great quality, very durable
Cons
– a little heavy for smaller kids
– No replacement parts sold
Pura Kiki Stainless Steel Insulated Sippy Bottle
Capacity: 9 OZ
Colour variations: 5
Age range: not specified
100% plastic-free bottle
for every stage of our kids’ lives. One Bottle system, which allows any lid to fit any bottle, so when your baby is growing up, you don’t need to buy a new bottle, but just a new lid.
Pros
+ No plastic or toxic chemicals
+ easy to clean
+ keeps beverages cold for hours
+ different tops for different stages of life.
Cons
– The sippy nipple can be hard to use/get water out of
Best BPA-Free Plastic Bottles For Kids
Bentgo Kids Water Bottle
Capacity: 15 OZ
Colour variations: 10
Age range: 3+
Made with high-quality, BPA-free Tritan that is safe for your child.
Pros
+ lightweight
+ spill-free
+ fully disassembles for cleaning
Cons
– Some say the lid is hard to reassemble after cleaning
– Some kids find it hard to get water from this spout/straw mechanism
Wooshwa Kids Water Bottle
Capacity: 20 OZ
Colour variations: 13
Age range: 3+
With spacious 20 Oz capacity, this water bottle is perfect for keeping your child hydrated throughout the day
Pros
+ low cost
+ locking mechanism in the lid prevents leaking
+ Cute print options for kids
Cons
– Some say that plastic can break easily
– The fabric strap can get dirty with time
Contigo Kids and Tween Water Bottle
Capacity: 20 OZ
Colour variations: 2
Age range: 3+
Autoseal technology that automatically seals between sips for 100% spill-proof, leak-proof, mess-free drinking
Pros
+ Lid underside flips open completely for easy cleaning
+ no rubber mouthpiece and no straw to wash
+ Leak proof
Cons
– The button to dispense water can break easily
– Some notice a plastic smell
Ello Kids Pop & Fill Water Bottle
Capacity: 16 OZ
Colour variations: 4
Age range: not specified
QUICK FILL LID: Pops open wide for fast refills without twisting, so kids can refill and drink all on their own.
Pros
+ sip or chug lid
+ very lightweight
+ Dishwasher safe
Cons
– The button to open the lid can be stiff
YETI Yonder Water Bottle
Capacity: 20 OZ
Colour variations: 10
Age range: not specified
STRAW CAP – Includes flip-and-sip, leak-resistant straw cap.
Pros
+ very sturdy material
+ flat side to help it slip directly into the backpack slot
+ ergonomic design
Cons
– The rubber ring inside the bottle cap can come off, and it’s hard to get back on properly
CamelBak Eddy Kids Water Bottle
Capacity: 12 OZ
Colour variations: 8
Age range: 3+
Just the right bite: this water bottle for kids combines the patented CamelBak big bite valve with a stem tube and shut-off valve.
Pros
+ they are easy to clean
+ very durable
+ cool prints to choose
Cons
– Kids can damage the seal easily, and it starts to leak
– The straw came off too easily
Simple Modern Bluey Kids Water Bottle
Capacity: 12 OZ
Colour variations: 1
Age range: not specified
Made with Tritan from Eastman: BPA-free, lightweight, and durable.
Pros
+ cup is easy to clean and dishwasher safe
+ perfect size for small hands
+ Toddlers can open and close the straw lid on their own
Cons
– Can leak if not closed properly
– several customers report the graphics peeling off after a few washes
To summarise the best water bottles for kids
These are the best water bottles for kids we could find on the market at the moment. We will be populating the list continuously, as soon as we find kids’ water bottles that are great and safe.
One thing to remember is that the best water bottle is the one that your kids love to use, so when buying it, choose it together; they will appreciate it and will want to use it more if they have their input.
If you are looking for a lunch box for your kids or for yourself, check out:
Best Lunch Boxes To Buy In 2025 For Every Age And Style
And if it’s time to upgrade your water bottle, you might like:
Silvija Meilunaite PN1-NC, is a certified nutrition coach and a writer in the nutrition and self-improvement field with a passion for exploring science-based knowledge focusing on holistic health and plant-based nutrition.
Featured in the Wellness on Time magazine.
