Best water bottle for kids
In today's busy world, with kids participating in more activities away from home than ever, it is important that they have access to hydration at all times. Carrying a personal water bottle can mean the difference between quenching a mean thirst or fighting fatigue. We reviewed 11 of the most popular water bottles for children over the age of 3 to find which performed better than the rest and won approval from persnickety children on the go. The bottles were tested for their ease of use, tendency to leak, eco-health attributes, and more. While most of the bottles got the job done, only a few did it well, and only one soared above the rest with an overall score 13 points higher than the closest competitor.
It seems like things should get easier when kids get older. The number of products and the differences between them does seem to decrease as little ones grow up, and best water bottle for kids are no different. The category of bottles is narrower and has less variety than the toddler sippy cups or transitional options. However, the decision of which bottle to buy is still something that can have you scratching your head wondering what the heck is the difference between these seemingly similar bottles, and which features matter? Doing a little homework to determine the performance of each bottle can leave you and your child happier than just guessing or choosing a bottle based on its graphics.
Leak-free kid's bottles are for children ages 3 years and up. Kids in this age range are busy, active, and seem to have no off button. By 3 years old kids can drink from ordinary cups, and they are mastering new skills every day. With so many activities to attend and new adventures in school and friend's houses, having an easy to transport water bottle can make life much easier and children far happier than looking for a water fountain or trying to find a place to set down a regular cup. Being able to transport a bottle from here to there without spills can make life easier wherever your child's adventures may lead.
Plastic
This is a budget friendly copolyester plastic bottle
Plastic is usually budget friendly, lightweight, often see-thru, and easy to find in stores. It doesn't dent like stainless steel, break like glass, and it usually doesn't hurt when you drop it on your foot. Many kid's water bottles are made of BPA-Free plastic because plastic is cheaper than stainless steel and lighter for small children to hold. All of the bottles in our review were made with at least some plastic, and two had bodies made of plastic. Unfortunately, some studies indicate that plastics can still potentially leach chemicals into their contents in a way that is similar to the BPA products of yore, and it is difficult, if not impossible for the average consumer to determine which plastics may do this and which don't.
You may want to check out our related article, Are Plastics Safe for Baby Bottles and Sippy Cups?
Stainless Steel
The Crocodile comes with an attached lid
Stainless Steel is a great inert material that neither leaches chemicals nor imparts flavor into the contents of the bottle. It is recyclable, durable, and easy to clean. It is dishwasher safe (if not painted), and often comes in an insulated option. Stainless steel is significantly heavier than plastic, and even more so if it is insulated, but this is likely less of a concern for children over the age of 3 than it is for younger toddlers. Steel is usually more expensive than plastic, but it can theoretically last longer than plastic, which still makes it a viable option even on a budget. Most of the bottles in our review are made of stainless steel.
Glass
The EIO cup was one of two cups we tested made of glass
The glass is also an inert material that doesn't leech chemicals or impart flavor to its contents. However, given that glass is breakable, it is just not the best option for kids on the go who might not be very careful. Even bottles that come with a silicone sleeve can and will eventually break, and the last place you want that to happen is in a backpack or on the soccer field. None of the bottles in our review were made from glass for this reason.
Silicone
Kid Basix Safe Sporter holds a whopping 16oz and was a favorite among parents as it is easy to clean and assemble/disassemble. However, it is not insulated and fairly heavy when filled to the brim.
Silicone is a pliable material which is considered safer than plastic and is used in many valves and straw spouts in the kid's water bottles. Some studies indicate that heating silicone can lead to degradation of the components so we recommend washing these parts by hand to avoid excessive heat.
1. Chilly’s Pastel Edition, 500ml: £12, Chilly's
Claiming to keep hot drinks hot for 12 hours, it certainly delivers – our cuppa was still ready to drink when we returned to it well over the suggested time. It also does a great job of keeping cold drinks chilled and the mouthpiece is a good size to drink from (no water running down your chin as you take a swig). This design also comes in a range of pastel colors, our favorite was the blue but there’s also pink, green and purple available. It didn’t leak in our bag when we took it to work and on a walk and the cylinder box packaging is rather stylish, making it a great gift idea too. But just remember it’s not dishwasher safe.
2. Brita Blue Sports Water Bottle, 600ml: £12, Argos
This sporty bottle from Brita is ideal for the gym or if you’re the outdoorsy type who loves going on long walks or hikes. Being Brita, it, of course, has a filter to reduce impurities, such as chlorine, reaching your mouth. There’s a bit of setting up required though to get this working. You have to soak the filter provided in warm water for roughly a minute and then place it in a compartment in the lid. The filter will need soaking every four weeks to keep it clean. It’s pretty easy to set up though if you follow the instructions provided. There’s also a lid to stop leakage in your bag and a hoop so you can attach it to your rucksack. Due to the filter, water flows through the mouthpiece a little slower than others we tried but it’s a great bottle for those who are active and like the idea of drinking filtered water on the go.
3. Root 7 Corkcicle Canteen, 255ml: £18, Cuckooland
Root 7 creates stylish and functional products including this unusual-looking drinks bottle. Looking like a cocktail shaker, this vessel is made out of stainless steel and comes in a variety of colors, but our favorite is this copper-coloured one. It claims to keep cold drinks cool for 25 hours and hot drinks hot for 12. We tested this out and found it to be true – in fact, our hot drink was still drinkable 24 hours later. The secure lid also means it’s a good one for putting in your bag when you’re out and about or to use at work. It’s dishwasher proof too.
4. Klean Kanteen Classic Bottle With Sports Cap, 800ml: £17, Amazon
Klean Kanteen has a range of reusable water bottles that are all BPA-free. Our top choice from its collection though is this stainless steel option with an easy-access mouthpiece that makes drinking on the go simple. The bottle itself is lightweight, keeps your drink cool and has a loop on the lid so you can attach it to your bag. It’s the ideal bottle for taking on hikes around the countryside. Available in pink, teal and lime green.
