Water is an essential part of our children’s lives. Around 75% of the body is made up of it, so hydrating often and throughout the day is essential. Studies have shown how regular hydration helps children stay focused and become better learners.
As the daily adventures increase, a kids water bottle becomes a really important sidekick. So we've put this guide together so you know the important factors to consider, and our top picks.
Contents
Best Kids Water Bottles - The Top Picks
Key Features
Our Rating
4.7/5
An impressive bottle that stores a lot, while also easy to clean.
Key Features
Our Rating
4.5 / 5
One of the newer bottles on the market, and one that's great for everyday use and camping trips.
Key Features
Our Rating
4.5 / 5
The button push lid does particularly well at hiding the straw from dirt build up.
Key Features
Our Rating
4.0/5
A beautiful bottle in a huge range of designs.
Key Features
Our Rating
4.0/5
A very strong and sturdy bottle that will likely last a while.
**Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
When Are They Ready For A Water Bottle?
When your child can drink from an open cup unaided, then they are ready to transition from sippy cup to fully fledged water bottle.
According to the National Health Service, once your baby is able to hold the milk bottle on their own, usually around the 6-9 month mark, they’re ready for their own starter water bottle.
Sippy cups are a great solution at the starter stage as the water flow from the cup is slower so they can control the water intake better.
Once they hit toddler stage, they’re ready to get out exploring even more. At this stage they are ready for a better water bottle with faster drink flow.
So as soon as your toddler is ready, encourage them by using an open cup or a free-flow cup without a valve. This will help your child learn to sip their drink rather than suck, and that’s better for their teeth too.
What Makes A Great Water Bottle?
BPA FREE
BPA stands for bisphenol A, and is an industrial chemical that is found typically in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, which is often used to make cheaper water bottles. Research has shown that BPA can seep into beverages with adverse effects on the brain, blood pressure and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children.
LEAK PROOF
No one wants to grab the child's bag, reach inside for the water bottle, and just feel a puddle. It not only wastes the water but will get on everything inside your bag, which will probably include that change of clothes, and any other essential items for the day.
GOOD STORAGE
A great kids water bottle has got to hold enough water to last a good proportion of the day, and should be portable enough to hold an amount that doesn't need a refill straightaway.
EASY TO CLEAN
In some bottles, certain parts, like a folded straw or cap, means stagnant water can build up. In time, this can lead to mould build up. Water bottles need to be cleaned regularly, but some are better than others in allowing for an easy clean.
FUN
Last but not least, a little bit of fun with the bottle design is always a good thing for the kids!
Our Picks - Detailed Reviews
Key features we liked:
The Camelbak is BPA free, weighs around 155 grams, and can carry 400 ml of water. Its key feature is a patented ‘big bite valve’ system, which is a combination of both spout and straw that will only allow an outflow of water if your child is able to bite onto the straw-spout. As such it scores great leak-proof points alongside its other benefits. It's also very easy to attach to a backpack or rucksack, making it ideal for outdoor play.
PROS
CONS
Key features we liked:
The Nalgene bottle holds 350ml comfortably is a relatively new product on the market and has a brilliantly simple yet effect design. If you’re looking for an everyday type of bottle – good for in-home and out of home adventures - this one may well be for you. Instead of a separate hook that sticks out of the bottle, the lid itself is the hook as well as the lid. It has a wide spout making it great for drink flow. You’ll just want to make sure your toddler can drink out of a cup on their own before being ready for this.
PROS
CONS
Key features we liked:
The Mountop bottle is 100% BPA free and holds around 395 grams. They have focussed a lot of attention on the real weather conditions that can affect the water inside the bottle. It’s made of tritan plastic so can withstand temperatures between 4 degrees (F) all the way to 248 (F)! It has a push button lid which works particularly well if you’re looking for that quick drinking feature, while protecting the straw from dirt.
PROS
CONS
Key features we liked:
When it comes to elegance there are not many bottle better than the Avex. You can get it in two variants – the sip lid, or flip lid. The flip lid has a leek proof spout, protected by the flip cover, while the sip lid keeps things simple with doesn’t have a straw or special spout technology, but a very secure clip lid.
PROS
CONS
Key features we liked:
The Contigo Autosprout bottle is 100% BPA free and carries 414ml of water. It very much holds its own as an on-the-go water bottle for toddlers. The bottle itself is made in such a way that it feels double insulated, and despite being dropped a number of times it hasn’t yet cracked once for us. The only watch out is that your child needs to hold down a part of the bottle in order to release the water valve – which may take a bit of time to get used to. Ideal for children aged 3 +.
PROS
CONS
Key features we liked:
Never judge a book by its cover. That’s what we learned when trying the Oxo Tot Twist Bottle. The bottle isn’t necessarily as fun as some of the other bottle designs on this guide, but has a number of very well designed features that other bottles don’t. Take for instance a slight divit in the actual bottle allowing for easier one handed control. Smart. Or the tight twist to straw lid which not only makes the bottle far more portable, it also protects the straw from any dirt.
PROS
CONS
Key features we liked:
The Munchkin is the only bottle that serves as well for both early and mid year toddlers. It is the ideal starter water bottle and holds 207ml of water. It has a super smart lid that only lets out water if enough bite and force is used by your child, which makes it very leak proof and also long lasting. The handles are useful for holding positions, but don’t stick enough to make fitting into a bag or ruck sack problematic.
PROS
CONS
Key features we liked:
At 480ml, the Mountop water bottle is one of the larger capacity bottles and unlike the other re-usable bottles this is one of a select few that can retain the preferred temperature of your preferred liquid inside. It is double wall vacuum insulated and can be used by all the family.
PROS
CONS
3 comments
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[…] is essential, and especially as they get older you'll want to pack a kids water bottle that doesn't leak, can hold a good amount, and can set you up for the day […]
My son will start going to school next week. I think that Oxo Tot Twist Top Bottle is really great for him. I will surely purchase one of these soon.