Travel Gear We Use: Best water bottles for kids

Next up in the Travel Gear We Use series: best water bottles for kids! We go absolutely nowhere without our water bottles…one per family member. They need to be durable, spill proof, fit in car cupholders and backpack water bottle pockets, and be fun or trendy enough that my kids (ages 14-8) will actually want to keep track of them. Here’s which water bottles for kids make the cut:

Sigg kids’ bottle:

The Sigg Primeval Glow Water Bottle is just the right size for young kids at .4 L (and they’ll fit in backpacks for school, too). They come in a wide variety of styles, but we’re partial to the glow-in-the-dark option. More important than the cute designs, however, is the spill-proof top: the kids like that it has a valve they can easily sip from, and I like that it closes completely (no more germ playground). Sigg bottles are lightweight, and of course BPA-free. Pick up a kids’ Sigg for $14-16 on Amazon.

Liberty Bottleworks sports bottle:

If your kids like drinking from a straw instead of a valve, but you’re sick of the sight of chewed, gross straw tops (you know it happens!), check out the Liberty Bottleworks Sport Water Bottle. The straw on this aluminum, USA-made bottle flips up only when needed, and it’s very thick and substantial. No harm can come to it, I promise! The size is just right for school-aged kids at 12 oz or 16 oz, and like the Sigg, there are tons of fun designs. I like that carrying the Liberty bottle is easy, too, due to the hook at top (which clips onto any backpack). Pick one up for $15-17 on Amazon.

Hydro Flask standard bottle:

If your kids kick it old-school, and like standard, screw-top water bottle tops without bite valves and straws, opt for my personal favorite bottle: USA-made Hydro Flask. They come in many sizes, but for kids the Hydro Flask Stainless Steel 12 ounce wins the day. What’s best about Hydro Flask: all their bottles are highly insulated. This means they’re heavy, but they will keep cold liquids ice-cold for hours, and ditto for hot liquids. Nothing beats a Hydro Flask for summer road trips, when everyone can sip cold water in the car! Pick up a 12 ounce Hydro Flask for around $18 on Amazon.

Camelbak Eddy and Chute:

We’ve fallen in love with Camelbak bottles when we want something lightweight, spill proof, and ready for adventure. Since both the Eddy and the Chute are designed to use with a carabiner when needed, they work wonderfully to clip to rafts or kayaks. We’ve used only Camelbak Eddys for both our OARS rafting trips. Because the Eddy has a flip-open straw top, we avoid spills when young kids are drinking out of them, and for those among us who like to gulp our water (er, that would be me), the Chute has a wide spout that doesn’t restrict the flow of water like other bottles do. Snap the Forge lid onto a handy holder when you’re drinking, so it won’t bop you on the nose. (Trust me.) Pick up the Eddy in multiple colors on Amazon for just $11 or the Chute for about the same price.

Avex Brazos:

Avex water bottles have one of the most innovative designs for water consumption we’ve seen. The Brazos gets our pick because it’s insulated for double-walled coolness of the water inside, along with a way to clip it to packs or kayaks and a slim design that still fits in side pockets. It does have some weight, however, so little kids may prefer the Avex Kids’ Freeride. It features the same open/close design, which opens at the press of a button and will not spill. Pick up the Brazos on Amazon.

Need a family thermos option for winter travel and ski days? We love the Sigg Thermal Classic. Fill it with soup or hot chocolate, and use the top as a cup!

More Travel Gear We Use:
Best carry-on luggage for kids
Best overnight backpacks for kids and youth
Best packing cubes and TSA bags for the family
Best point and shoot camera for vacation photos
Best iPhone cases for travel

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