How Do You Choose the Perfect Water Bottle for Kids?

As an adult, it’s easy to keep up with your daily water intake. You understand the importance of staying hydrated and its impact on overall well-being. Staying hydrated is even more important with kids, who are constantly active. Buying your kids their water bottles is a great way to keep track of their drinking habits and ensure they are adequately hydrated. 

This guide explores the key factors to consider when buying a water bottle for preschool kids.

What to Consider When Buying a Water Bottle for Preschool Kids

Buying a water bottle for kids requires different factors to be considered. More factors are involved in decision-making to ensure you have the best and safest water bottle for your preschool child.

Material

The material is the first and most important consideration when buying a water bottle for preschool. Several options are available on the market, and it can be overwhelming to pick the best material. Weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each material to help you make an informed decision. When choosing a material, two areas to focus on are durability and ease of cleaning.

Stainless Steel Bottle

Stainless steel is the best water bottle for preschool kids for its durability. You must specifically look for durable materials for water bottles for kids to ensure they will last long and withstand rough handling. Even if the children accidentally drop this bottle, it won't damage or break easily. 

When shopping for stainless steel water bottles, look for ones made from food-grade steel. It will ensure that the material is safe for children to use. You can find stainless steel bottles insulated to regulate the temperature, especially for kids who prefer drinking water at a specific temperature. 

Glass Bottle

Glass bottles are easy to clean, ensuring they are safe for your kids to use because you can clean them thoroughly. However, not all glass materials are the same. Choose glass bottles made from borosilicate glass because they won't break easily like traditional glass. With this material, you won’t have to worry if your kids drop the bottle. You can invest in a silicone sleeve to offer additional protection to the glass material and make it last longer.

Silicone Bottle

Silicone is a lightweight material, making it convenient for children to carry around. Like steel, choose food-grade silicone to ensure it is suitable for children. Another distinct advantage of silicone bottles is you can roll them up after use, which is convenient to carry them when not in use.

Age of Child

The next consideration when choosing a water bottle for preschool kids is your child's age. You can decide your child's drinking needs and pick an appropriate bottle size to fit their needs. 

Younger children have smaller hands, so smaller bottles work best for them. Meanwhile, older children are more active, so they will require more water to drink and a larger water bottle. 

Consider two things when choosing the right bottle size: comfortable to hold and meeting their water intake needs.

Durability

Choosing the suitable material is essential when picking the right water bottle for kids as it helps to ensure durability. As mentioned, kids can be very active, and their water bottles should be able to withstand their rough nature. You can expect that kids’ bottles will be subject to plenty of wear and tear. 

Choosing a durable material for their water bottle guarantees they can be resilient to damage. Stainless steel is the most durable material that can resist dents and scratches, even if your child drops it. 

Leak-Proof

The best water bottle for preschool kids should be leak-proof. Again, kids can be highly active, and you want to invest in a bottle that can withstand their active lifestyle. A leak-proof bottle gives you peace of mind that the bottle contents won’t accidentally spill on their lunchbox or bag. 

To check if a bottle is leak-proof, ensure they have tight-fitting lids. Some bottle manufacturers label their products as leak-proof, so look for those. 

Ease of Cleaning

The ease of cleaning is a practical consideration when buying bottles for your kids. Consider how easy it is to clean a bottle because it ensures your child can safely drink their water.

Ideally, you should look for bottles with a wide opening to reach and clean the inside. Also, you can buy bottles that are dishwasher-friendly. But if not, check to see if it's possible to clean the inside of the bottle. 

Design

Consider the design of the water bottle for your kids. A good design makes it easy for your child to use, and easily avoids any unwanted spills. 

The primary design factor to look into is whether or not the bottle comes with a straw or spout. Your choice depends on whether your child prefers using a straw or spout for drinking. Younger children drink more easily from a spout, while older kids like straws. Therefore, you should choose according to your child’s age and preference.

For the lid, choose between a flip-top lid or a screw-on cap. A flip-top lid is easy to use but may not be as secure. On the other hand, a screw-on cap is difficult for younger children to use. Assess your child's capabilities to determine how to secure the lid and prevent spillage. 

Health & Safety

Your child’s health and safety are the primary consideration when investing in the best water bottle. Choose bottles that are certified and tested to be safe for children. Avoid plastic bottles, especially ones containing BPA and other harmful chemicals. Look for safety certifications to guarantee your purchase and peace of mind. 

Why Avoid Plastic Water Bottles for Preschool Kids?

Several materials are available for water bottles for kids. However, you should avoid using plastic bottles at all costs, especially those not labeled as BPA-free.

Plastic bottles can release harmful toxins which can get mixed into the water your child is drinking. Therefore, it is harmful in the long run. Stainless steel or glass bottles are the safest option since these materials do not contain harmful toxins. However, stainless steel water bottles hold the edge over durability and longevity, so your child can use them for many years, even with constant wear and tear.