Want to avoid plastic water bottles? Here are my top picks for non-toxic kids’ water bottles!
Safety and purity are just as important as convenience when it comes to keeping our little ones hydrated. While plastic water bottles are convenient, they can leach dangerous microplastics, phthalates, and other chemicals that pose health risks. Let’s avoid that! Choosing a non-toxic water bottle ensures your child drinks clean and safe water throughout the day. Here’s a guide to help you find the best non-toxic water bottles for kids.
Why Choose Non-Toxic Water Bottles?
It’s easy to think that plastic bottles aren’t a big issue, particularly because every kid out there seems to use one. And while they are often cute, convenient, and easy to use, they aren’t worth the long-term risks. Using non-toxic water bottles will reduce your child’s exposure to harmful chemicals found in popular water bottles, particularly plastic water bottles. These chemicals can affect your child’s health.
Even so-called BPA-free plastic bottles can contain BPS and other bisphenols, so be sure to avoid plastic bottles altogether. Here are some key benefits of choosing a non-plastic water bottle:
- Safety: Made from materials like stainless steel or glass that don’t leach chemicals into the water. Of course, most of these bottles contain plastic components in the straw or in the mouthpiece, but the goal is to reduce the use of plastic as much as possible — especially in the part where the liquid sits (i.e. the container part).
- Durability: High-quality, non-toxic bottles are built to last, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
- Eco-Friendly: Many non-toxic bottles contain minimal plastic parts, helping reduce plastic usage and waste.
With so many options on the market for quality glass or stainless steel water bottles, you don’t have to compromise your preferences to find a quality, safe water bottle. Honestly, I just walk right past all of the plastic water bottles at the store and don’t even consider them anymore. Stainless steel bottles, in particular, are extremely popular right now (and trendy!), and you can find tons of options and variety.
What to Look For in a Kid’s Water Bottle
When shopping for a non-toxic water bottle for your child, consider the following factors:
Non-Toxic Materials
Choose stainless steel or glass, always. Stainless steel is durable and lightweight, while glass offers a pure, worry-free taste. Avoid painted bottles or other decorative elements that may introduce other contaminant risks like heavy metals. Avoid plastic bottles, silicone bottles, aluminum or disposable bottles, and plant-based or biobased bottles.
When choosing a stainless steel water bottle, you will find plain stainless steel bottles, painted stainless steel bottles, and powder-coated bottles. I am most comfortable with plain or brushed stainless steel (i.e. no coating or paint on the outside — just metal) or powder-coated bottles, which will be stable.
Age-Appropriate Size
Choose a size that fits your child’s needs and is easy to carry and use. Smaller sizes are great for toddlers, while larger bottles will work better for older kids. For school use, consider how long your child’s day is and whether filtered refills are available; a 12 oz. bottle might work for a half-day preschool, while a full day of school might require 18 oz. or larger.
Straw or Mouthpiece
Look for easy-to-use spouts that prevent spills and are simple for little hands to open and close. If sending the water bottle to school, I prefer bottles that close shut rather than a tumbler with an exposed straw. Avoid sippy cup spouts, which can constrict a child’s oral development.
Also consider whether you want a straw or an open mouthpiece, and what the material of the straw is. Many of the brands on this list use silicone straws (and some even use stainless steel), but not all. You may decide to swap out the straw for a silicone straw or use the bottle as it is designed; I prefer silicone straws, but that’s not always workable for the larger bottle sizes. Whether you use plastic straws or not is up to you!
Single or Double-Walled
Insulated bottles keep drinks cold for longer, which is great for hot days and active kids. They contain two or three layers of metal and require a sealing dot at the bottom.
Some brands use lead sealing dots, which has caused an uproar on the internet, but unless the bottle is damaged or the sealing dot is exposed, I have personally not worried about lead exposure from water bottles. Metal water bottles are great and very durable, but they won’t last forever, so be sure to keep an eye on your water bottle stash and replace them if they show signs of damage.
If your bottle doesn’t come with one, consider adding a silicone boot or cover for added protection and to extend the bottle’s life. (Just make sure to choose the right size for your bottle.)
Easy to Clean
Make sure the bottle is easy to disassemble and clean, and is preferably dishwasher-safe. All bottles on this list should be dishwasher-safe, but you may decide to hand-wash yours to help them last longer. Just be sure to have bottle brushes of various sizes on hand to thoroughly clean all the nooks and crannies in your child’s water bottle. (I always hand wash the lids and straws.)
11 Top Water Bottle Brands for Kids
Water bottles are trendy right now, and hundreds of brands are available online and in-store. There are also a growing number of off-brand products you can buy online, and while I don’t mind this for myself so much, I do when it comes to shopping for children.
These are my go-to, top 10 11 water bottle brands that I trust for children:
- Brumate
- EcoVessel
- Hydroflask
- Klean Kanteen
- LifeFactory
- Owala
- Planet Box
- Pura
- Simple Modern
- Stanley
- Yeti
I tried to stick with 10, and I have listed a few other brands below, but these 11 brands listed above are the companies I consider to have the best and most reliable options for kids. That doesn’t mean there aren’t other brands I would use or recommend. I hope that helps clarify!
Top Picks 🏆
There are many wonderful kids’ bottles to shop from, but if we had to pick some favorites, this is what they’d be:
- Best straw-free water bottle: Owala
- Most stylish *and* best twist-top: Brumate
- Internet’s favorite: Brumate
- Best for toddlers: Pura
- Popular pick and my personal fave: Hydroflask Kids
- Best personalized water bottle: Yeti Kids
- Best glass bottles: Lifefactory
- Best filter bottle: Clearly Filtered
- Most affordable: Thermos Funtainer or Simple Modern
Best Kids Water Bottles: 8-11 oz.
Bottles this size are perfect for short outings or for the youngest of kids. If you have toddlers, these smaller 8-11 oz. bottles are your go-to options for a water bottle. If you’re looking for more of a sippy cup type of bottle, I also have a helpful guide on non-toxic sippy cups and alternatives.
Products are shown in alphabetical order by brand name.
1) Lifefactory 9 oz. Flat Cap Water Bottle: If you are looking to tote water for your little one, a water bottle for use at home, or if they aren’t quite yet drinking from a straw, this bottle offers a little of a middle ground. As with all Lifefactory bottles, these are incredibly durable and can be used for many purposes. However, I don’t think this is a bottle that I would send to school or daycare with a toddler, simply because I would worry about the cap getting lost.
2) Munchkin Cool Cat 8 oz. Straw Bottle: This adorable straw bottle is a great transition straw bottle for toddlers or even a water bottle for preschoolers. It comes in four colors and is pretty lightweight and easy for little hands to hold!
3) PlanetBox 10 oz. Glacier Chug Water Bottle: This is a great water bottle for all kids, but particularly for younger littles. Made from stainless steel and shaped more like a cup, this bottle has a wide mouth and will fit your cupholder. Never lose the cap, because it’s attached to the bottle!
4) PlanetBox 10 oz. Glacier Straw Water Bottle: This straw bottle keeps water cold for up to 10 hours and has a convenient flip-top straw. This bottle should be easy for little hands to operate and it comes in four cute kid-friendly colors.
5) Pura 11 oz. Straw Bottle: A favorite for toddlers, this straw bottle is a great transition from a baby bottle to using a regular water bottle. My kids used this bottle for many years, and it is a favorite! All Puras are made with medical-grade silicone, are Made Safe certified, and contain no plastic parts. This is a great option for daycare or preschool.
6) Pura Sport Mini 11 oz. Water Bottle: Pura is a wonderful brand that makes stainless steel bottles that truly last from babyhood (I love their stainless steel baby bottle) through childhood. We used these bottles for years when my kids were younger, and I truly appreciate the quality and design of all Pura products, especially the fact that they only use stainless steel and medical-grade silicone (i.e. no plastics). One thing to know is that all Pura lids are interchangeable with all bottles, so you can swap out the sport top for a straw cap, or choose whatever works for you. Either way, you can’t go wrong with Pura, especially if you are buying a water bottle for a younger child or toddler.
This bottle in particular has a fun spout cap which allows your little one to open and drink — no straw needed. This cap is easy to use, but again, you can swap it out for an alternative, such as the sport straw cap.
7) Tabor Place 8 oz. Straw Bottle: One of the brands that you guys have been raving about is Tabor Place. This company makes glass straw bottles with toddler-friendly handles in two varieties: one is the popular Spikey Bear bottle, which is designed to withstand being thrown, and the other is a more traditional straw bottle that comes in three colors. Both bottle options have silicone straws, so these are plastic-free.
Best Kids Water Bottles: 12 oz.
This is the most popular size of water bottle for kids. You’ll find many options for 12 oz. bottles, and I personally find that this size is great for kids in the 4-7 age range. I still use 12 oz. bottles for my older kiddos when we’re on a short walk or are out running some quick errands, but for the most part I would focus on this size bottle when your kids are no longer toddlers but are still in kindergarten or 1st/2nd grade.
Products are shown in alphabetical order by brand name.
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1) EcoVessel Frost 12 oz. Stainless Steel Kids Water Bottle: While I usually avoid painted bottles, EcoVessel is one exception. I love that their bottles feature silicone straws, so your child’s water never touches plastic. EcoVessel also uses three layers of insulation to keep drinks cold. And I love that this water bottle is backed by a generous, 100-year warranty.
2) Hydroflask 12 oz. Stainless Steel Kids Water Bottle: This is the PERFECT kid’s water bottle. I love Hydroflask’s kids’ water bottles. I used the 12 oz. bottles for being on the go with the kids. Now, I use the larger ones for my boys at school and sports. They are easy to clean, durable, and have a silicone boot. I love, love, love, love these!
3) Klean Kanteen 12 oz. Twist-Top Bottle: This adorable bottle features Kleen Kanteen’s unique 12 oz. twist-top lid. It shouldn’t leak, and it might take a little getting used to at first, but it is a cute and practical choice for your little one’s water bottle. You can also find this bottle in solid colors.
4) Klean Kanteen 12 oz. Classic Sport Top Water Bottle: This is a great, all-around children’s water bottle! I love Kleen Kanteen’s sport top.
5) Klean Kanteen 12 oz. Classic Narrow Sport Top Bottle: This is a classic bottle with a narrow vessel. It might be useful if you have small cupholders in your car. It comes in cute painted designs for kids or a solid version.
6) Lifefactory 12 oz. Glass Water Bottle: Lifefactory is a non-toxic favorite! They make super durable glass water bottles, and the new designs are ::chef’s kiss:: amazing. This is a great choice for your child’s water bottle, especially if their school has asked parents not to send in stainless steel bottles. This bottle also comes in a twist top, but I find the flip top easier for children to open.
7) Planet Box 12 oz. Pour Spout Water Bottle: This is a convenient kids water bottle for being on the go. It has a pour spout, so you just press a button and top opens and then your child can drink with a simple pour; there is no straw needed. These bottles are great, particularly if you are using Planet Box lunch boxes and need a compatible bottle!
8) Skip Hop Stainless 12 oz. Steel Toddler Water Bottle: These bottles are super cute, leak-proof, and made without PVC or phthalates. They’re great for younger little ones!
9) Stanley Ice Flow 12 oz. Water Bottle: If you love Stanley water bottles, you’ll appreciate this mini 12 oz. bottle for kids. It’s a great size for littles and fit in most car cupholders, too. This bottle has a hard straw spout and, being a Stanley, it has a lifetime warranty. This bottle will also keep your kiddo’s water cold for hours.
10) Thermos 12 oz. Funtainer Straw Bottle: It’s easy to overlook the Funtainer, but this is actually a pretty good choice, especially if you are in need of something more affordable. Made by Thermos, the Funtainer is a line of kids insulated bottles and food storage boxes. These are easily found in-store at Target and online, and are a pretty good choice for a water bottle. We had a couple of these bottles over the years when my kids were preschool aged. They’re not as durable as other brands on this list, but they do get the designation of being the most affordable bottle on this list.
11) Yeti Rambler 12 oz. Kids Water Bottle: This straw-cap water bottle from Yeti is a tried-and-true kids favorite. I see these at our school and sports all the time, and love Yeti for its durability. It has double-walled insulation and is leak-free. Just note that the mouthpiece is a hard spout straw, so consider that if you are partial to softer straws. Otherwise, I like Yeti products a lot and love that you can customize this bottle on Yeti’s website (select colors only) with your child’s name or initials.
Best Kids Water Bottles: 13-18 oz.
This size water bottle is perfect for full days at school, sports games, or just for being out and about. I started using 18 oz. water bottles for my boys beginning in 1st grade.
Products are shown in alphabetical order by brand name.
1) Brumate 15 oz. Rotera Water Bottle: Brumate wins for being the internet’s favorite water bottle! And I get why… It’s sleek and stylish and comes in gorgeous colors like mocha, sage, and nightfall blue. Don’t worry if you don’t have a little fashionista on your hands because it’s also available in two more “classic” kid colors — nebula and supernova. In addition to being so pretty, it has many features you’ll love: a touch-free straw that you can twist open and closed and a stainless steel straw to prevent all plastic from touching your child’s water. 🙌
2) Hydroflask 18 oz. Kids Bottle With Straw Cap: For years I used the 12 oz. Hydroflask bottles but as soon as my kids entered kindergarten, I switched them to these 18 oz. bottles. These are the perfect size and width, and I am just overall a huge fan of this shape of Hydroflask bottles. LOVE these, and I still use them for my kids’ everyday water bottles. I only size up for sports or field trips.
3) Klean Kanteen 16 oz. Twist Top Bottle: With a unique twist-top lid, this 16 oz. bottle is a great size for elementary-aged kiddos.
4) Klean Kanteen 18 oz. Classic Sport Top Bottle: Klean Kanteen also makes their classic bottle in two 18 oz. versions — insulated or non-insulated. This is the narrow bottle body style, which makes this easy to fit into backpack and lunch box side pockets. The non-insulated version will always be lighter than an insulated bottle, which still makes a great choice for your kiddo’s water bottle.
5) Lifefactory 16 oz. Glass Water Bottle: A larger version of the 12 oz. bottle, this 16 oz. is a great choice for a 6-8 year old child, or even a toddler on the go. These are easy to wash, incredibly durable, and easy to drink from. I truly love Lifefactory bottles and have the larger 22 oz. size myself.
6) Owala Kids 16 oz. Free Sip Water Bottle: This is a great kids water bottle! I really like that it has a free sip spout, meaning it has no straw and just an open spout that you drink from. This is a great way to go if you are concerned about plastic straws in most water bottles. This bottle should keep drinks cold for 24 hours. Great choice! This bottle also comes in Harry Potter, Marvel, and Star Wars designs.
7) Pura 18 oz. Sport Non-Insulated Water Bottle: This bottle holds 18 oz. and has the look and feel of a canteen, which is great for bigger kids. It is non-insulated and pretty lightweight for a bottle its size, made from stainless steel and medical-grade silicone. This is a great choice for kiddos, especially if you are a Pura fan, like myself.
8) Simple Modern 14 oz. Summit Straw Bottle: If you love the sleek look of Simple Modern water bottles, you’ll appreciate their 14 and 18 oz. kids bottles. These are stylish, accessible, and easy to use for kids of all ages. Plus, at 14 oz, you could use this for a preschooler, kindergartner, or even an early elementary-aged child. The only hesitation I have on this particular size is that all versions of this seem to have designs on them; the designs are super fun, like Lightning McQueen, pretty floral designs, ballerinas, and super heroes. But, if you are looking for a solid or powder-coated bottle, there are better options on this list.
9) Simple Modern 18 oz. Summit Straw Bottle: This is the larger-sized version of the 14 oz. Summit bottle. Available in over 20 colors, including fun kids designs like checkers and leopard, this is a really fun choice for your kiddo’s water bottle.
10) Stanley 16 oz. IceFlow Flip Water Bottle: This is a wide-mouth straw bottle from Stanley that is perfectly sized for kids! This model is also super sleek and monochrome if that is what your kiddo is looking for, and it comes in bottle sizes as large as 36 or 50 oz. (Not that any child needs a bottle that large…!)
11) Stanley 17 oz. IceFlow Straw Bottle: This is the version of the IceFlow bottles with a flip-top straw. It is conveniently sized for kids and has a nice carry-top handle. When filled with ice, the 17 oz. size can keep water cold for up to 30 hours.
12) Thermos Funtainer 16 oz. Water Bottle: I like Thermos as a brand, and have used the Funtainer bottles myself, but I find them to not be as durable as the powder-coated brands on this list like Hydroflask, Owala, Stanley, Yeti, etc. And you’ll notice the difference in price, so that does make sense! I would get Funtainer bottles if you need a lot of bottles (your kid keeps losing them, for example), or if you are on a budget and aren’t wanting to spend $20-40 on a water bottle. They also come in a 12 oz. size.
13) Yeti 18 oz. Straw Water Bottle: A size up from their 12 oz. bottle, the 18 oz. Yeti Kids bottle is a popular choice. I actually really like this bottle and also see lots of kids using this larger size. It’s a great bottle for school, sports, and on-the-go with your bigger kids. And just like other Yetis, you can customize this with your child’s name or initials on the Yeti website.
Best Kids Water Bottles: 20 oz. and up
If you have an older child, or a super hydrator on your hands, water bottles 20 oz. and up might be the right choice! For my upper grader, I often alternate between 18 oz. bottles and 20+ oz. bottles based on his needs. While 18 oz. is our standard-sized bottle for days at school; I might go with a larger size on hot days or for days he’s playing sports.
Products are shown in alphabetical order by brand name.
1) Brumate 25 oz. Rotera Bottle: A larger version of the 15 oz bottle, this Rotera has the same amazing features… a twist-top cap, a stainless steel water bottle, gorgeous color options for both boys and girls, and a 24-hour+ temperature hold. If you’re looking for all-day hydration for your kiddo, you cannot go wrong with this Brumate!
2) Clearly Filtered 20 oz. Insulated Filtered Water Bottle: If you’d like the power of Clearly Filtered’s filtration technology in your child’s water bottle, this is the option for you! Tall and carrying 20 oz., this is a durable and not-too-large water bottle. The bottom gets a bit worn after repeated use (by my kids, at least), so I recommend adding a protective boot.
3) EcoVessel Summit 24 oz. Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle: Another pick from EcoVessel is the Summit water bottle. Holding 24 oz and featuring triple insulation, this is a great choice for bigger kids or even for a hot day playing outdoors.
4) Klean Kanteen TK Wide 20 oz. Twist-Top Bottle: I was impressed to learn about Klean Kanteen’s larger bottle sizes, including this kid-friendly 20 oz. twist-top bottle. Just like the 16 oz. version, this will fit in your cupholders and will keep your kiddo’s water cold all day.
5) Lifefactory 22 oz. Glass Water Bottle: This bottle fits in my cupholders and just makes me happy! It doesn’t hold too much or too little water, and it is Lifefactory, so it is a high-quality water bottle. I have this one myself and just love it. My 7-year-old likes to borrow this one all the time, and I would feel comfortable using this for a school water bottle for any elementary-aged child, probably 2nd grade and up. For younger kiddos, I’d stick with one of the smaller models.
6) Pura 22 oz. Insulated Water Bottle: If you are looking for an insulated Pura that holds more water, this is a great option for your kiddo! Consider this a bottle they would graduate to after using the smaller bottles, particularly when they are in all-day school or need something larger for sports.
7) Stanley 20 oz. Tumbler: This is Stanley’s classic tumber style, but in a smaller, more kid-friendly size. I have this same bottle in a 30 oz. size, and love it. The best thing about this style is that it is very popular and comes in dozens of colors. If you have a tween or kiddo that loves Stanley, this might be a good way to go!
8) Stanley 24 oz. Quick Flip GO Bottle: This 24 oz. bottle is a good choice for upper graders. It is leakproof, has a wide mouth spout, and has a push-button top that opens the spout (and is easy to use one-handed). This is a great Stanley bottle, and is straw-free, but probably isn’t best for younger kiddos.
Shop My Fave Water Bottles & Accessories
Water bottles are a lifestyle, no? I swear that buying, washing, storing, and organizing water bottles is an art in and of itself. Find all of my non-plastic kids water bottle picks and favorite accessories (and water bottle hacks!) on my Amazon store!
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Julissa says
I would love to see products country of manufacture listed. For those of us trying to stay eat from Chinese made products its the only information missing from this wonderful list.
Kaila says
Do you know what the Yeti or simple modern mouth pieces are made out of? Is it plastic #5?