9 Best Water Bottles for Kids, Tested by Real Moms

This colorful and affordable bottle stands out because of its easy-to-grip silicone sleeve, which is perfect for little hands learning how to hold a water bottle. My daughter likes how bright the colors are and often asks for her “pink bottle” over her more aesthetic ones, much to my dismay. Reviewers note that the bottle’s flip-open lid and spout are perfect for younger toddlers who are still learning the mechanics of how to operate their own bottles. “This was a perfect switch from the spill-proof water bottles with a straw,” shares one reviewer.

Plus, the lack of a straw is a selling point for some kiddos who may not love drinking water that way. Personal preference! But what makes this bottle really stand out is its affordability: at less than $20 it won’t hurt if you lose it on the go.

• Pros: Affordable; fun bright colors
• Cons: My daughter does spill it occasionally since it has an open spout instead of a straw.

My first impression of the Contigo bottle? This thing seems strong. Like, it could handle being dropped on the ground multiple times in one day (because it will be). The straw pops up with a click of a button and folds back down with ease, making it easy for kids to operate on their own and ensuring no water spills out.

I was impressed with Contigo’s bottle both for its sturdiness and its ease of cleaning the top spout, and my daughter operated it on her own with ease. The line also comes with a variety of lid colors, for whatever is your little one’s vibe.

• Pros: Well designed and leak-proof for school, easy to clean
• Cons: Not as cute as some others on the market

Munchkin is one of the most beloved parenting brands on the market because it makes durable and safe products for an affordable price. Take their Flip & Go sippy cup, a plastic water bottle made, according to the brand, with rough and tumble toddlers in mind.

It also has other features that make it perfect for little hands, like a weighted straw that “allows your toddler to hold the cup at any angle” and a carrying handle. But what reviewers love the most is how indestructible it is. “These have been thrown from the high chair and stroller and not cracked,” wrote one. Good enough for me!

• Pros: Very affordable; durable
• Cons: Some reviewers say it’s not totally leak-proof.

If you’ve read some of my other shopping recommendations on Glamour, you know I have often sung the praises of the Owala FreeSip, one of the trendiest water bottles on the market right now. But I fell even deeper in love with the kids’ straw bottle, which is exactly like the big one, but smaller.

I admit it, I have stolen this and use it for myself now. It’s the perfect size for slipping into my work tote or diaper bag for a day out, and it’s super light compared with other water bottles for adults. I always grab it if I don’t want to be weighed down by a bigger bottle on the go. And yes, my daughter does point out whenever I drink out of it that it’s hers. Oh well.

• Pros: Can be used for adults or kids; very leak-proof
• Cons: Could be a little big for smaller hands

If loving monogrammed everything for your kiddo is wrong, I don’t want to be right. Pottery Barn Kids offers an entire line of customizable home and kitchen items for kids, and this adorable water bottle is no exception.

It comes in a variety of fun colors like teal and sparkly purple, two different sizes, and with or without a top handle. Oh, and you can get a name or initials engraved on it in a bunch of different fonts, to make it extra special for your little one (there are matching lunch boxes, if you’re extra fancy.)

• Pros: Adorable designs; easy to customize
• Cons: Pricier than some other options

This Owala straw cup has been a staple in my house this summer, as my daughter often asks for a “smoothie” in her “pink cup” for breakfast.

But as terrifying as it is to let a toddler loose with a cup of purple liquid in your house, the cup has never once spilled. Truly a feat of epic proportions. The cups come in Owala’s usual cheerful colors and in both stainless steel and plastic.

• Pros: Doesn’t leak; perfect size for kids
• Cons: Pricey for a toddler cup

By far the most unique water bottle I tested, this toddler bottle from Waterdrop immediately caught our eye for its adorable animal shapes. I gave a penguin and a squirrel to my daughter and my four-year-old nephew, and they both were instantly intrigued by the design. My daughter now loves her “bird” bottle, and I really like how it’s the perfect size for her small hands.

The bottles also have a leak-proof valve that makes it genuinely hard to spill, and I like that the spout is so small that even if it does turn over, not much comes out. The squirrel bottle also sparked a passionate debate between the four-year-old and adults on whether it actually looks more like a squirrel or a tiger—feel free to weigh in!

• Pros: Adorable designs; very leak-proof
• Cons: It takes a bit of getting used to the spout as it requires harder sucking than others