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It’s Preptember here at BA and that means we’re bringing some of our favorite tools and tricks for meal prep, storage, and those all-important back to school plans.
The best kids’ water bottles
ThermoFlask Kids Bottle with Straw Lid – 16 Oz.
Thermos Funtainer Water Bottle with Straw – 12 Oz.
Over the past 10 years, my two sons and I have tried nearly 30 different kids’ water bottles. And since I started reviewing gear here, my “assistants” and I have officially tested at least 20 insulated and lightweight plastic options. I’m always quick to dismiss anything that’s complicated to clean, and they’re naturals at discovering durability issues. Our combined criteria have left us with a pretty short short-list, but the five bottles I recommend below are durable, dishwasher-safe, and (save for the sippy-style toddler Nalgene) almost completely leakproof when properly closed.
The very best kids water bottle: Hydro Flask 12-Oz. Kids Wide Mouth Bottle
Hydro Flask Kids Water Bottle – 12 Oz.
Pros
- Durable
- Dishwasher safe
- Lightweight
- Comes in a variety of distinctive colors
Cons
- Straw can leak a little eventually
We were a Yeti family—until I started testing kids’ water bottles and was wowed by the Hydro Flask Kids bottle. Like Yeti’s comparable Rambler Jr. kids water bottle, the Hydro Flask kids wide-mouth bottle is a 12-oz. stainless-steel, vacuum-insulated bottle that keeps drinks cold all day. Both have a nearly leakproof flip-down, hard-plastic straw, and both can be customized when you order directly from the brand (let’s be honest: This is more than a vanity or aesthetic project. You can use the options to prevent your pricey bottle from disappearing into the lost and found forever). But empty, the Hydro Flask weighs just 9.5 oz., which is a lot lighter than the 16-oz. Yeti Rambler Jr.
The Hydro Flask has another kid-friendly feature I really appreciate: A removable silicone “boot” that softens the sound of a metal vessel hitting a desk, countertop, or floor. The silicone also makes the bottle less likely to slide off of a surface (though it makes it a little trickier to slide into a backpack sleeve). Ours still looks great after daily trips through the dishwasher too.
The best budget insulated kids water bottle: ThermoFlask 16-Oz. Kids Bottle with Straw Lid
ThermoFlask Kids Bottle with Straw Lid – 16 Oz.
Pros
- More durable than pricier bottles
- Comes as a set of 2 for inevitable replacement
Cons
- Insulation not as good as more expensive bottles
If you’ve been researching kids water bottles, you’ve probably come across at least a few recommendations for the Takeya kids water bottle. Well, you know what? I hate it. My kids’ Takeya lost its handle and the powder coating started to scrape off in multiple places within a month of normal use. But the much more affordable ThermoFlask water bottle is nearly identical to the Takeya, it’s much more durable, and you can get a two-pack of 16-oz. ThermoFlask bottles for about the same price as one of Takeya’s. If the Hydro Flask feels too expensive for something you know your kids are going to lose anyway, these much more affordable ThermoFlask bottles are a great alternative.
The best insulated water bottle for toddlers: 12-Oz. Thermos Funtainer
Pros
- Straw easy for very small children to use
- Leakproof
Cons
- Straw requires cleaning with a brush
Pediatricians generally recommend kids start drinking from a straw before their first birthday, but the straw lid on the Hydro Flask kids bottle is pretty big—and that bottle is recommended for ages three and up, anyway. So if you’re looking for an insulated water bottle for toddlers, look no further than the Thermos Funtainer. The silicone straw is safe, soft, and small enough for even the tiniest mouths. And when the lid is properly closed, it’s leakproof too. The hinged handle has grippy silicone for little hands, plus a push-button lid that snaps shut to keep the straw clean (because those little hands can get more than a little grubby and germy as the day goes on).
This 12-oz. bottle is dishwasher safe and slim enough to slip into car cup holders and lunchboxes, and the double-walled insulation will keep water cold for up to 12 hours. Depending on where you buy it, you may be able to find one with your kiddo’s favorite character on it too. Though all of the parts are dishwasher safe, you should clean the straw with a straw brush from time to time, and if it gets too gunky you can order replacements.
The best plastic water bottle for big kids: 20-Oz. Yeti Yonder Bottle with a Straw Cap (Customized)
Yeti Yonder 20 Oz. Water Bottle with Yonder Straw Cap
Pros
- Lightweight
- Customizable to prevent loss
Cons
- Straw cap requires more thorough cleaning
Okay, this one is a bit of a hack, but if you have a big kid who prefers a lightweight, plastic bottle and you want it to be durable—and you don’t want to risk it getting lost because these things aren’t cheap—I highly recommend the 20-oz. Yeti Yonder bottle with a color-matched straw cap.
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