I put together a list of the most highly rated and recommended water bottles (and cups) that will not end up in your trash with you cursing about how you threw your money away!

Water Bottles for Toddlers and Kids 

Water bottles have caused some drama in my house over the years. It feels like pretty much for the past decade, I’ve been on the hunt for ones that are the right shape, the right size, the right temperature control, and for goodness sake- ones that don’t leak all over the place in a bag or backpack! 

So without further ado, let’s get into the world of water bottles for kids!

Toddler Water Bottles

Owala Kids Straw Cup 

I love this insulated stainless steel water bottle for toddlers for its temperature control, its ease of use, and the fact that it is entirely dishwasher safe. I hate to say it, but you’re not going to find me disassembling and scrubbing every little piece of each kids’ water bottle after school, so I love that I can just throw it in the dishwasher and we’re good to go by the next morning! 

Yeti Rambler 12 oz

This one is a no brainer for toddlers (I’d actually say maybe ages 2-6ish!). Yeti products are amazing for keeping liquids ice cold, and the spout is easy for toddlers to open and close on their own. They also fit nicely into the side pockets of a lot of backpacks, and a bonus is that you can get their names engraved on them, too! Makes it easy to know which kid belongs with which color bottle! 

Zak Kids Water Bottle

Zak brand has long been a tried and true go-to of mine when it comes to kids’ meal and drink gear. These are stainless steel, lightweight, super easy for toddlers to hold and handle, and come in lots of fun prints and patterns!

Hydrojug 14 oz Water Bottle

This is another super highly rated bottle that is a great size for toddlers. It’s 100% stainless steel and leakproof, and you can stick it in the dishwasher for easy maintenance!

Kids Water Bottles

Bentgo Kids Water Bottle

This bottle is a little bit bigger than the ones above, which makes it more appropriate for the older ages. It’s dishwasher safe, easy to stick in a backpack, and comes in all the fun patterns that we know and love from Bentgo. (As you probably know, their lunchboxes are some of my favorites, too!)

Owala Kids

The 24oz Owala is a favorite of both my kids. And nearly every other kid in their school! I love that it’s stainless steel, secure, and leakproof for backpacks, after school activities, and even sports practices. My kids like that they can either drink from the straw, or tilt it back and gulp it down. It’s a really unique and innovative design!

BruMate 30oz

30 oz is pretty big, but I like that it comes with a better chance of my kids staying hydrated-ha! These are great to bring to sports practices, and you can lock the lid so it doesn’t spill. Good for kids and adults alike! 

Ello Water Bottle 

I don’t personally have this one, but I have seen tons of recommendations for it and know lots of people love it! 18 oz and stainless steel, a lid that locks, and tons of cute patterns. This one is next on my list!

All Things Toddlers and Cups

In this section, I want to hone in on the toddler age range, because I know how frustrating it can be when the gear you buy doesn’t fit your child’s needs. I’ll lay out my favorite open cups, smoothie cups, straw cups, and more!

The first thing you’ll notice about this list is how I only recommend open cups and straw cups for this age. That means there are no sippy or 360 cups in sight, and it’s because straw and open cups are preferred by dentists, pediatricians, OTs, and SLPs. (And me!)

FAQ: What Are The Best Sippy Cups for Toddlers?

I actually don’t recommend using a traditional sippy cup at all. You can totally skip it and go straight to straw or open cups! That’s because countless speech-language pathologists have cautioned against the continued use of traditional sippy cups, as they can affect proper oral motor development. According to this article on ASHA Wire, written by speech-language pathologist and feeding specialist Melanie Potock, sippy cups can:

1. Get in the way of proper swallow pattern development
2. Force the tongue forward, which can impede speech and language development
3. Keep the mouth open longer, which can affect facial development

FAQ: What About 360 Cups?

There is also some concern over the use of the 360 spout cups. If they’re used too frequently, some experts believe they may cause improper or problematic drinking patterns. This isn’t my area of expertise, so I follow the guidance of speech-language pathologists here, and I’d recommend you do, too! 

I know the no-sippy-cup thing might be a bit of a bummer—or something to wrap your head around if you grew up using one! (OR it may be something you have to help your parents wrap their heads around if they’re like, “You used one and YOU turned out just fine!” 😂) 

But like so many other topics in child development and parenting, when we know better, we do better. And lucky for us, there are TONS of awesome straw cup and open cup options available to help us follow the most current recommendations. Here are my picks!

Best Straw Cups for Toddlers

NuSpin Kids 8 oz Zoomi Straw Cup

These straw cups are easy for your little one to drink from. They’re the perfect size if your child is around the age of one or two years old. I used this cup frequently with Emilia when she was a baby and in the 1-year-old range! 

I love these cups because they’re made of FDA-grade silicone and polypropylene and because they’re free of BPA, phthalates, PVC, nitrosamines, latex, and lead. Also, because they’re dishwasher-safe and easy to clean. (Mama win!)

Note: These are low-spill for sure, but not completely spill-free! They wouldn’t pass the “chuck it in the diaper bag” test.

Shop Now

Munchkin Cool Cat Stainless Steel Straw Cup

If you prefer stainless steel, these are my favorite cups! They’re completely spill-proof, but the top part is really easy for little hands to open and close. And, the handles make it easy for little ones to hold on!

I also love that these cups are dishwasher safe and BPA-free. Plus, you can disassemble them and thoroughly clean all the parts. (This isn’t always the case for cups with built-in straws! And when they don’t come apart, they can get really gross inside.) 

Shop Now

Zak Designs Leak-Proof Tumbler with Straw

These are the cups I find myself reaching for most often when I need to serve water to Emilia at home. They’re a win for the whole fam! Parents love them because they’re BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and easy to clean. And toddlers love them because they come in fun designs with characters on them. (Frozen? Paw Patrol? Toy Story? You name it, they’ve got it!)

These cups are 15 ounces, so they’re quite big! Also, they have no handles, and they’re not completely spill-proof. (They can tip over without a big spill, but if you flip it and shake it, expect some drops to fly!) So, I recommend these cups for toddlers over 2 years old. 

They do have a stainless steel version of these, too!

Shop Now

Simple Modern Kids Water Bottle with Straw Lid

I like these stainless steel water bottles for taking out in the car or going to preschool and daycare. They seal up completely so they don’t leak when they’re closed. And even though they’re stainless steel, they’re lightweight! So they keep water super cold without weighing down your toddler’s backpack all day. I also like that these bottles are durable, dishwasher-safe and that the straw is BPA-free.

Just a heads up– Someone in an Amazon review claims that the lids will get moldy, but I’ve been using these cups for well over a year and have had no issues! I use the dishwasher for a solid cleaning.

Shop Now

---

Teach Your Baby or Toddler to Drink From A Straw

Need a quick tutorial on how to teach your little one to drink from a straw? I got you! Just press play.

---

Best Open Cups for Toddlers

I love these open cups for water, milk, and or watered down juice.

Ezpz Mini Cup

If you’re concerned about oral development, these Ezpz Mini Cups are a great option for you because they were designed by a pediatric feeding specialist! They’re made from 100% silicone and even though they might look a little flimsy, they’re super sturdy and toddler-proof. They have a weighted base that stops them from toppling over and a non-slip grip that keeps them from ending up on the floor along with half your toddler’s milk! Plus, they’re dishwasher- and microwave-safe, toxin- and BPA-free, and hypoallergenic.

I really like this cup for juice, because the cups holds just 4 ounces – the amount the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to limit juice intake to daily. This way you can pour a cup of juice and know it’s the right amount without having to measure anything!

Shop Now

Munchkin Splash Toddler Cups

If you like the open-cup style but prefer having a lid—or at least having the option to use a lid!—the Munchkin Splash cup is the perfect middle ground. And, it’s still dishwasher-safe, and BPA-free. But it is a bit bigger, holding up to seven ounces of liquid instead of just four. I also like that this cup is a bit more affordable and comes in a four-pack!

Shop Now

Best Smoothie Cups for Toddlers

Elk and Friends have my very favorite toddler straw cups for when you’re at home. The straws make them perfect for thicker drinks like kefir and smoothies, and they have a little straw stopper on them so your little one can’t pull the straw out and splatter smoothie everywhere in the process! Plus, they pass the smash test. I have literally dropped these on my floor before just to see if they’d break, and they don’t! The silicone sleeve makes the glass safe. (But they do have a stainless steel version too if that makes you feel better!)

The only consideration for you is that they’re not completely spill-proof, so I wouldn’t necessarily recommend them on the go.

Elk & Friends Glass Mason Jars with Silicone Sleeves & Straws

This is the 8-ounce glass version. It’s a multi-colored 4-pack for just under $40! I love this option personally—the straws are made of FDA food-grade silicone, and everything is BPA, phthalate, and PVC-free. And other than the lids, they’re dishwasher, freezer, and microwave safe.

We sometimes freeze homemade chicken broth in these cups to save for later!

Shop Now

Elk and Friends Stainless Steel Cups with Silicone Sleeves & Straws

This set of four cups is made of stainless steel so it’s break-proof, and the cups are a bit bigger at 10 ounces each. Just like the glass version, a set comes in under $40 and everything is food safe, with straws and sleeves made of FDA food-grade silicone and stainless steel. They’re also BPA, phthalate, and PVC-free lids and dishwasher- and freezer-safe. (But these can’t be microwaved, since they’re metal!)

Shop Now

Best Drinks for Toddlers

So now we’ve covered pretty much everything that your kids can drink OUT OF, but what to fill them with? Water and milk are best for the younger ages (and hold off on milk as a beverage until their first birthday), but as they get older, they have a few more options! Smoothies are a hit in my house, and have been since the toddler years.  Check out my favorite kids smoothie recipes, and I’ll link my smoothie guide below for everything you need to create your own nutritious smoothies at home! 

Want the same meal gear lowdown for your child’s age? I’ve done a deep dive on that topic, too! Just go to my Amazon Storefront and select the meal gear board for your child’s age!