The Best Kids Water Bottles To Keep Them Happy And Hydrated

Materials: Stainless steel | Lid style: Flip-up straw/hard spout | Size: 12 ounces | Dishwasher safe: Yes

My 3-year-old and 6-year-old use this water bottle daily, and we’ve never had an issue with leaks. The Yeti Rambler Jr. is crafted from sturdy stainless steel, helping parents avoid plastic drinkware for their children if that’s their preference. We’ve found this water bottle can easily withstand drops (and even tantrum throws) without major scratching or dents on the exterior, making it our top choice for most kids. Double-walled vacuum insulation ensures drinks stay cold no matter the weather. The straw top is easy for small fingers to flip up and down, and the whole thing goes in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.

We also appreciate that there are just three parts—bottle, straw, lid—without the added insert that you’ll find in some kids water bottles. The wide handle is easy for little ones to grip. Plus, with a range colors available, kids can choose their favorite and even customize it with stickers and monograms (if you’re shopping from the Yeti site directly). The bottle doesn’t sweat, so you don’t have to stress about it getting your kid’s backpack wet. But it is worth nothing this water bottle weighs nearly a pound and is made for ages 3 and up, so if you have a young toddler, you might want to opt for a lighter bottle.

What our editors say: Rose Gordon Sala, a deputy editor at Forbes Vetted and mom of three, also has at least half a dozen Yeti Rambler Jr bottles at home. She hasn’t had issues with leaking and says her kids prefer the Yeti over other brands. However, she says that older tweens and teens might want the larger 32-ounce size if they need something to last all day. 

Materials: Plastic body and cap, silicone lid | Lid style: Pop-up straw | Size: 9 ounces | Dishwasher safe: Yes, top rack

Many water bottles aren’t suitable for children under the age of 3, but this sturdy cup can be used by little ones as young as 12 months—making it ideal for toddlers. With double-walled insulation, it can keep drinks cool throughout a day at the park, daycare or preschool. A flexible silicone straw is gentle on little mouths. There is a clever slider that closes the straw and folds it down, preventing spills and keeping everything sanitary when the bottle is not in use. 

Although there are quite a few nooks and crannies to clean, the whole thing is safe to wash in the top rack of your dishwasher. At about $10 for two, it’s a great value and is available in lots of cute, kid-friendly colors. 

What our editors say: “You can actually throw this water bottle in your purse or diaper bag without fear of spills when it’s closed,” says Margaret Badore, the baby and kids gear editor at Forbes Vetted. She does note that if the straw is out and her toddler is determined enough, he can shake a few drops of water out of this bottle when it’s upside down, but not enough to merit an outfit change. 

Materials: Stainless steel | Lid style: Several options available | Size: 12 ounces | Dishwasher safe: Only the non-pattern bottles

Elementary school kids can be a tricky bunch. When they’re younger, kids are often okay with whatever you hand them to drink from for the day. But as they move up grades, they tend to want a more adult-like water bottle.

This option from Klean Kanteen is a good compromise between a more toddler-friendly straw top and something you unscrew (which leaves your child vulnerable to spills). You can choose from a sippy cap, or a sport cap slides up and down for quick drinking, while the narrow width allows this bottle to easily fit into backpacks and lunch boxes. The patterns are even a little more “grown-up,” from whimsical strawberries to lifelike drawings of tigers to a plain brushed stainless exterior. The only downside? All the pretty patterns are supposed to be hand-washed.

What the parents say: “I use the adult version and love it, so I got the kids version for my daughter,” writes one reviewer. “She loves it to drink from and I love it has a cap for when she isn’t drinking. It fits in her stroller cup, car seat and in her small hands. Also gets her excited to drink more water.”

Materials: Stainless steel | Lid style: Flip-up straw/hard spout | Size: 12 or 20 ounces | Dishwasher safe: Yes

This Hydro Flask has plenty of features to help ensure your child can use this container for years. The bottle is made with 18/8 professional-grade stainless steel to help it last and has a double-walled insulation to keep things cold.

It’s similar to some of our other stainless steel picks, but this one does come in a 20-ounce model, and we love the ring-style handle that makes it easy to pick up. A flexible perforated “boot” protects the bottom of the water bottle and makes it a bit grippier; the powder coating is less likely to mark or chip. The whole thing is dishwasher safe, and there are optional replacement tops should you need one.

What the parents say: “Purchased this for my kiddo, living in 105 [degree] dry heat during the day, and the ice cubes are not fully melted on day two,” says one reviewer.

Materials: Stainless steel | Lid style: Sport cap | Size: 20 or 30 ounces | Dishwasher safe: Yes

We all know that older kids need more water, but they might also have longer days or more sports and other activities, which is why a bigger bottle makes more sense as they enter middle school. The Forbes Vetted team already loves the Stanley IceFlow for its practical design and proven ability to keep things extra cold for long periods of time. It also works well for kids because of the flip-top lid that helps prevent spills, the built-in straw and the easy-to-grip handle.

If you have an older child or an especially active one, you might consider the 30-ounce IceFlow. Just keep in mind that it is big at about 1.5 pounds and nearly 10 inches in height. It comes in additional sizes, including 20 ounces, which might work better for a younger child.

What our editors say: Sala purchased the 30-ounce Stanley water bottle for her 10-year-old when she started to complain that a 12-ounce bottle just wasn’t big enough. “The IceFlow still has the sport top and straw that flips closed to make it portable for her, and I like that we just doubled the water capacity,” Sala says. “She has a long day with after-school activities, so I feel good about packing this into her backpack. I think she feels a bit more grown up carrying it, too.” However, Sala says it can be hard for her kids to open it for refills, another reason why this bottle is best for older kids or teens.

Materials: Stainless steel | Lid style: Pop-up straw | Size: 12 ounces | Dishwasher safe: Yes

The Thermos Funtainer Bottle is an inexpensive pick that still comes with all our favorite features, including a stainless steel construction, a straw top, and plenty of fun prints or solid hues.

At just 7.6 ounces in weight, the Funtainer bottle is simple for smaller children such as toddlers and preschoolers to tote around. The vacuum insulation keeps drinks cold for up to 12 hours, while its tough exterior makes it ideal for stashing in backpacks. A push-button lid reveals a hidden pop-up straw that can be removed for easy cleaning, either by hand or in the top rack of the dishwasher. A snapping sound lets your child know the lid is secure when hydration time is over, minimizing the odds of an unsecured cap that leaks.

What our editors say: Sala reports she has bought more than a dozen of these 12-ounce Funtainer bottles over the years for her three children and they hold up well. “The kids love the designs and lightweight feel. I’ve found the straw is a bit gentler and easier to drink from compared to sport tops, especially with younger kids,” she says. The only downside, Sala notes, is the extra silicone insert to attach the straw, adding another piece to clean.

Materials: Plastic | Lid style: Flip-up straw/spout | Size: 12 ounces | Dishwasher safe: Yes

At just 4.6 ounces in weight, the plastic CamelBak Eddy is one of the lightest and easiest-to-use kids water bottles on the market. It also comes in a ton of fun designs, including dinosaurs, unicorns, sports themes and sharks. All of these features make this water bottle ideal for preschoolers and kindergartners. Don’t mistake the low cost for low quality. It’s made with durable BPA-free plastic, and the CamelBak Eddy in my home has been passed down through three of my kids.

This 12-ounce bottle uses the special CamelBak bite valve to make it easy for kids to get water while minimizing spills. The straw gently flips down when it’s not in use, and the bottle’s handle is easy for little fingers to grip. When the day is done, simply unscrew the lid and put the whole thing in the dishwasher.

Materials: Stainless steel | Lid style: Flip-up straw/hard spout | Size: 14 or 16 ounces | Dishwasher safe: No

Takeya made a name for itself in the water bottle world, and its kids models are worthy of the same praise. Its stainless steel kids water bottles come in 14- or 16-ounce sizes, a bit more capacity than your average 12-ounce kids bottle. Still, it’s fairly lightweight, weighing just ‎11.7 ounces, so it’s easier for kids to carry than some of the heavier bottles on this list.

Its tough powder-coated exterior helps it resist dents and scratches, and the thoughtful silicone bumper at the base protects it. The straw lid also has a little lever that small fingers can grip for easy opening and closing, and the loop handle gently flips up and down.