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The best water bottles for kids and school
The Thermos Funtainer 12 oz leads our list of the best water bottles for kids. For the best water bottles for school, add a waterproof name label, because a bottle without a name rarely comes back from the gym.
See Thermos Funtainer 12 oz with Straw on AmazonAmazon page See the bottles
Rechecked 10/28/2026 by Jonah Beckwith
Questions this page answers
Which bottle is easy for kids and will not leak in a backpack?
Look for a lid a child opens with one press, a covered straw and a size of 12 to 14 oz. The Funtainer has all three, and the plastic CamelBak Eddy+ adds a bite valve at 3.52 oz empty.
How this plays out across all 10Cheap fix: Waterproof name labels
Will it leak in my bag?
Most backpack leaks start with a lid that got pressed open between books. The Funtainer is leak proof when closed per Thermos, and the Eddy+ is leak resistant when closed. Teach the order: close, then pack.
Is it dishwasher safe?
Thermos says the Funtainer is dishwasher safe and still recommends hand washing. The Eddy+ is hand wash only on its listing. Plan on five minutes at the sink.
How this plays out across all 10Cheap fix: Bottle drying rack
The picks for this job
Thermos Funtainer 12 oz with Straw
Specs from the listing
Our kids pick: one-press lid, covered pop-up straw, 12 hours cold.
Today's Amazon priceAmazon page
Best for kids. Full review
CamelBak Chute Mag Insulated
Specs from the listing
For older students: magnet cap, steel, dishwasher safe.
Today's Amazon priceAmazon page
Best one-handed magnet cap. Full review
Owala FreeSip 24 oz
Editor tested by CleverHiker (32 oz)
For teens who want what adults carry.
Today's Amazon priceAmazon page
Best overall: straw and chug in one lid. Full review
| Bottle | Size | Height / base | Empty weight | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermos Funtainer | 12 oz | Not listed | Not listed | Check price | Buy |
| CamelBak Chute Mag | 25 oz | Not listed | Not listed | Check price | Buy |
| Owala FreeSip | 24 oz | 10.68 / 3.24 in | 14.1 oz | Check price | Buy |
Listing data, 10/26 to 10/28/2026.
What to know
What a school bottle needs
A lid a child opens with one thumb, a size that fits a small backpack pocket, and a body that survives a drop on a gym floor. Insulation is a bonus: steel keeps water cold until lunch, while plastic is lighter and cheaper to replace.
A school morning
A 12 oz Funtainer filled with ice water at 7:30 still has cold water at lunch on its 12 hour claim, and if it comes home empty the size was right, while a bottle that comes home half full every day is a sign to go smaller or to rethink what goes in it. Close the lid before it goes in the pack. Label it before the first day, and keep a spare straw in the kitchen drawer for the week the first one gets chewed.
Age and size
Twelve ounces suits the early grades, and 14 oz suits kids who play hard at recess. Older students who refill at a fountain do fine with 20 to 24 oz. Bigger than that, and the bottle outweighs the lunch.
Steel or plastic
The Funtainer is 18/8 steel and keeps drinks cold up to 12 hours. The CamelBak Eddy+ is plastic and 3.52 oz empty, with a bite valve that lets water out only when a child bites down. An insulated Eddy+ also appeared in our scan for a few dollars more.
Labels and lost bottles
A pack of 136 waterproof, dishwasher-safe name labels costs less than half the price of a replacement Funtainer. Write the name, stick it low on the bottle where hands do not rub it, and the odds of getting it back from the lost and found go up.
Spare parts
Chewed straws and bite valves are normal. A four-pack of Funtainer straws showed up in our scan, and CamelBak's Eddy+ bite valves and straws appeared in two- and four-packs.
Cleaning a kids bottle
Kids put juice, milk and smoothies in water bottles. Rinse the straw the same day, deep clean weekly and dry the parts apart. A brush set with thin straw brushes costs less than one replacement bottle.
Lunch box pairing
An insulated lunch bag and a 12 oz bottle make a complete school kit. The kids lunch bag we track measures 4.33 by 7.7 by 10.6 in and costs about $10. Check that the bottle stands upright in the side pocket, since a bottle lying on its side is the one that leaks.
For teens
Teenagers usually want the bottle their friends carry. The Owala FreeSip at 24 oz is a sensible step up: it locks for a backpack and holds twice what the Funtainer does.
More questions
What size water bottle is best for kids?
12 to 14 oz for younger children, 20 to 24 oz for older ones who can refill at school.
Are stainless steel bottles safe for kids?
The Funtainer is 18/8 steel and BPA free per Thermos. Keep the straw and lid clean, since that is where problems start.
How do I stop a kids bottle leaking in a backpack?
Close the lid before it goes in and stand it upright in a side pocket. Choose a lid rated leak proof when closed.
Are kids water bottles dishwasher safe?
The Funtainer is, though Thermos recommends hand washing. The Eddy+ is hand wash only.
What labels survive the dishwasher?
Self-laminating labels rated waterproof and dishwasher safe. The 136-pack we track claims both.
Is a bite valve or a straw better?
A bite valve releases water only when bitten, which stops drips. A covered pop-up straw has fewer small parts to clean.
When should my kid move to an adult bottle?
When 12 to 14 oz runs out before lunch. A 24 oz bottle with a lock, like the Owala FreeSip, is the usual next size.