The Best Water Bottles for Kids to Keep Them Hydrated

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Three water bottles we recommend for kids displayed on a two-tone pink patterned background

Verywell Family / Amelia Manley

It’s important for kids to drink water to maintain adequate hydration and reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. Adequate hydration is also linked to improved cognitive function, alertness, and short-term memory. Since kids are always on the go, water bottles make it easy for them to stay hydrated, but the sheer number of options can make it overwhelming to choose the right one.

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.

Best Overall

Contigo Autoseal Chill Water Bottle

Contigo Autoseal Water Bottle

Amazon

Pros
  • Stainless steel finish

  • Unbreakable outer layer

Cons
  • Best for older children

  • Costly

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.

Key Specs:
Volume Capacity: 24 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Cup Type: Spout

Best Insulated

Rehydrated Pro Water Bottle With Straw

Rehydrate Pro 25oz Insulated Water Bottle with Straw, Bonus Lids and Leak Proof Flask to Keep Liquids Hot or Cold- Triple Wall Vacuum Water Bottle Insulated...

Amazon

Pros
  • Keeps ice solid for 24 hours

  • Eco-friendly

Cons
  • Twist cap if not using straw

If you’ve got a kid who likes their water super cold, the Rehydrate Pro copper-insulated stainless steel water bottle is a great choice. This water bottle keeps water ice cold for 24 solid hours without condensation, so your kids won’t have to worry about pulling out soggy art projects or last-minute homework. The outer layer of the bottle isn’t slippery, making it easier for kids to handle without dropping.

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.

Key Specs:
Volume Capacity: 25 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Cup Type: Open mouth or straw

Best Leakproof

Contigo Autospout Straw Gizmo

Contigo Kid's 14 oz AutoSpout Straw Water Bottle - Blueberry/Green Apple

Walmart

Pros
  • Spout cover

  • BPA and phthalate-free

Cons
  • Mouth piece difficult to clean

The Contigo Gizmo is built with kids in mind. This colorful bottle is designed to be leakproof even when it’s open and laying on its side. There’s a handy spout cover that keeps germs and foreign objects out of your kids’ water, and the plastic is all BPA and phthalate-free. Finally, a convenient carry loop allows kids to hang onto their water bottle with one finger or attach it to a backpack or clip. 

Key Specs:
Volume Capacity: 14 ounces | Material: Plastic | Cup Type: Spout/straw

Best for Travel

YETI Rambler Jr. Kids Bottle

Amazon YETI Rambler Jr.

Amazon

Pros
  • Cupholder compatible

  • Double-wall vacuum insulation

  • Customizable

Cons
  • Leaks when straw cap left open

  • Sip spout molds if not cleaned properly

Don’t let the size of the YETI Rambler Jr. fool you. This 12-ounce stainless steel water bottle has double-wall vacuum insulation to keep drinks cold for hours. It features a straw cap that’s leak-resistant when closed, and both the bottle and straw cap are dishwasher-safe. A carrying handle allows kids to transport the bottle with ease.

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.

Key Specs:
Volume Capacity: 12 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Cup Type: Straw

Best Stainless

CamelBak Eddy Kids Vacuum Insulated Bottle

CamelBak Eddy+ Kids Water Bottle with Straw

Amazon

Pros
  • Stainless steel finish

  • Kid-friendly designs

Cons
  • Costly for size

If you’re looking for an alternative to plastic, check out the Camelback Eddy. This 12-ounce bottle comes fitted with Camelback’s trademark bite spout that’s famously effective and easy to clean at the same time. An added bonus: The stainless finish keeps your kid’s water colder, longer. It’s available in a number of kid-friendly designs, so your child is sure to find one that suits their style.

Key Specs:
Volume Capacity: 12 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Cup Type: Straw/spout

Best Design

Thermos Thermos Funtainer

Thermos-thermos-funtainer

Amazon

Pros
  • Dozens of characters/colors to choose from

  • Keeps drinks cold all day long

Cons
  • Cannot be used with hot liquids

If you’re on the hunt for a water bottle for your little Elsa devotee or Paw Patrol fan, then the Thermos Funtainer is a great choice for your kid. There are nearly 30 different characters to choose from, so your child can easily find their favorite. And if you’d like to stick with a more neutral design, there are plenty of solid colors to choose from too, or designs like rainbows and stars.

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.

Key Specs:
Volume Capacity: 12 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Cup Type: Straw

Best for Young Children

Iron Flask Kids Water Bottle

IRON °FLASK Kids Water Bottle - 10 Oz, Straw Lid, 20 Name Stickers, Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel, Double Walled Tumbler Travel Cup, Thermo Mug, Metal...

Amazon

Pros
  • Sweat-free

  • More than a dozen cute designs

  • Leak-proof straw when closed

Cons
  • Hand-wash only

This water bottle from Iron Flask is available in two sizes, 10 or 14 ounces, and comes in more than a dozen adorable designs. It’s made of BPA-free stainless steel that is only safe to hand wash. A closed leak-proof straw lid helps prevent messes, while a built-in handle makes it easy to carry. Bonus: Name stickers are included with the water bottle for a sweet customizable touch.

Key Specs:
Volume Capacity: 10 or 14 ounces | Material: 18/8 stainless steel | Cup Type: Straw

Best for Teens

Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Water Bottle

 Amazon

Pros
  • Wide-mouth top

  • Double-wall insulation

Cons
  • Expensive

With a logo that’s already super recognizable among high schoolers, this sleek, powder-coated water bottle comes in an array of great colors and it’s sized just right for everyday use. Teens will love the wide-mouth top that’s easy to open and doesn’t restrict liquids the way some kid water bottles tend to. 

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.

Key Specs:
Volume Capacity: 18 ounces | Material: Stainless steel | Cup Type: Open mouth

Best Glass

Lifefactory BPA-Free Glass Water Bottle

Lifefactory 12-Ounce BPA-Free Glass Water Bottle with Classic Cap and Protective Silicone Sleeve, Iris

Amazon

Pros
  • BPA-free

  • Can choose from different lid options

Cons
  • May not keep drinks cold as long as stainless steel

If you’re over plastic but stainless steel isn’t really your speed either, consider opting for a glass water bottle. We love this one from LifeFactory. At 12 ounces, it’s sized just right for the younger set, while still providing enough hydration to get through the day. The food-grade silicone sleeve fits snugly over the BPA-free glass bottle to prevent breakage, and it’s available in a variety of attractive colors.

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.

Key Specs:
Volume Capacity: 12 ounces | Material: Glass | Cup Type: Open mouth (spout and straw also available)

Final Verdict

The Contigo AutoSeal Stainless Water Bottle is the best for older kids, while the Contigo Leak-Proof Gizmo takes first place for toddlers and elementary-age kids. If you’re looking to ditch plastic, go for the Camelback Eddy.

How We Selected the Best Water Bottles for Kids

We chose the best water bottles for kids by studying the design and features of more than 30 products on the market, and researching reviews from customers and competitors. We considered volume capacity, features, ease of cleaning, design, ease of use, age recommendations, material, and spout type when deciding our picks. We also consulted with Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP, a pediatric feeding expert and co-author of "Raising a Healthy Happy Eater", for any considerations or product recommendations.

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.

Potock 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much water should my child drink per day?

    Water recommendations vary by age. Children under the age of one only need 4 to 8 ounces per day. Children ages 1 to 3 need about 4 cups of beverages each day, primarily water and milk and limiting juice.

    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.

  • Do kids need a water bottle for school?

    Each school will have its own policy surrounding what kids can bring to school, but the CDC encourages schools to allow children to bring a water bottle to help them stay hydrated. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 mandated that schools that participate in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs provide free drinking water for students where meals are served. If you want to make sure your child drinks enough water while at school, sending a water bottle with them is a smart idea.

    "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."

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.

6 Sources
Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Water Access in Schools.

  2. Popkin BM, D’Anci KE, Rosenberg IH. Water, hydration, and health: Nutrition Reviews©, Vol. 68, No. 8Nutrition Reviews. 2010;68(8):439-458. doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.2010.00304.x

  3. Contigo. 2021. Materials and Construction.

  4. Choose water for healthy hydration. HealthyChildren.org.

  5. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Water: How Much Do Kids Need?

  6. Interim final rule: nslp and sbp nutrition standards for all foods sold in school as required by the healthy, hunger-free kids act of 2010 | food and nutrition service.