Best water bottle for kids: Leak proof styles for their school bags

Best: Overall

Rating: 10/10

More fold out than pop-up, from the moment this 420ml capacity BPA-free water bottle was in our hands, we knew it meant business. With one press of a button, the silicone leakproof mouthpiece instantly folds out and can be pushed back into its “closed” position just as easily. From a hygiene perspective, this was great as children don’t actually have to touch the area they drink from. Our five-year-old tester was delighted with the mechanics of the lid/straw/mouthpiece – thankfully it’s so well made that no amount of fiddling is going to cause it to break.

The leak situation was brilliant, in that there wasn’t one – whether the mouthpiece was out or in, whether the bottle was shaken or dropped or rolled, not one drop came out.

One of this bottle’s UPSs is its “easy clean” claim – and we can vouch for this being the case. You simply take the lid and all of its components apart in what is actually a really intuitive way, before putting the whole lot in the dishwasher to ensure a thorough clean. Putting it back together is just as easy. There are lots of different colourways to choose from, too.

Best: Button mechanism

Rating: 8/10

With a 400ml capacity, this is a decent-sized bottle for younger children to take to school for the day. We love the design – an extravaganza of line-drawn sea life on pale ocean blue BPA-plastic that is totally dishwasher proof. There is a side button which when pressed releases a short drinking spout which is easily pushed down once used. This process is easy and works without a glitch – our five-year-old tester is obsessed with it.

We were impressed with how sturdy this is – it was dropped from a great height one day and survived without a dent, and the pop-up mechanism was unaffected. Its claims to be leakproof are true – notthing comes out even when held upside down and shaken.

Best: For older children

Rating: 5/10

This is one for older children – secondary school age and beyond – on account of it being made from sturdy glass, boasting a screw top and having a wide opening to drink from.

Covered in a tactile (BPA-free) silicone casing, it’s easy to hold, will bounce if dropped, which we did, twice on concrete, and looks fresh and contemporary, too, especially thanks to its bamboo lid. It’s wipe-clean only, which isn’t ideal but not a deal breaker.

Best: Value bottle

Rating: 7/10

Like unicorns and llamas before them, sloths are having a moment. These sleepy creatures are everywhere and Sydney is the star of the show as far as this 500ml bottle with integrated straw is concerned.

That’s not to say this is more style than substance – we were in fact really impressed with how well this worked and how sturdy it was given the low price point. We wondered if this would be truly leak-free – and it is, provided the lid is pushed into place. We found there were no leaks, at all, even when shaken upside down.  Our five-year-old tester loved the fabric wristband, which turns the bottle into a rather fabulous accessory. Although this is hand wash only it’s still an absolute bargain.

Best: All-rounder

Rating: 9/10

This 540ml BPA-free, shatterproof bottle ticks all the boxes: it doesn’t leak, boasts a rigid handle to make it easy to carry and has shiny, dazzling iridescent design for little magpies who like a bit of bling in their backpacks. It can be used in the dishwasher (while it promises no warping the design might fade over time).

The straw part is essentially a soft, silicone spout that has been dentist-approved and is therefore gentle on growing teeth. This flips up at the press of a button and is easily pushed back down: in either state, there is no leaking at all. The only time you’ll see leaking is if the components in the lid are not all in place – for example after washing – so do double check. We loved the larger volume – perfect for hot days and long journeys.

Best: Smaller bottle

Rating: 6/10

This diminutive aluminium bottle is so sweet – depicting a map of the world and boasting a round lid covering a nozzle that little ones must pull up to drink from, and push back down when they’re done to avoid leaks. This process might be tricky for younger children – our four-year-old tester had to be repeatedly reminded to close the nozzle. For this reason, we think this bottle is best suited to situations where there are flat surfaces or cup holders available – however, when closed properly it is absolutely leakproof.

Best: For keeping drinks cool

Rating: 8/10

Obviously using a reusable water bottle is environmentally friendly in and of itself, but the SHO bottles really up the ante as far as eco credentials are concerned. They are BPA-free, and more than 10 per cent of SHO’s profits are given to charity. Made from stainless steel – which is durable and robust – these bottles, which are at the top end of the market in terms of price, do have so much to recommend them.

We loved how they are packaged in recycled cardboard and their temperature control – icy water for 24 hours, yes please! Not only are these bottles leakproof under any circumstances, but they are also one of the few bottles that won’t produce condensation, which can create unwanted dampness. The lid is a simple open bottle top but you can order a straw lid (£4.99, Shoreusable.com) separately which is best for younger children. If you aren’t happy there’s a lifetime guarantee, too.

Best: For long days

Rating: 8/10

This long, tall bottle can contain 500ml of liquid making it brilliant for long days. It’s made from BPA plastic and has a relatively wide opening to drink from.

But what we – or more accurately – our six-year-old tester liked best about this was its clever lid. It flips open and clips shut – but that’s not all. It also has a lock mechanism – once in place the bottle is completely sealed and leak-free. There is an assortment of colours to pick from, all with a monster theme.

Best: For durability

Rating: 8/10

This version of the Klean Kanteen with a sports cap doesn’t promise to be totally leak proof – more spill proof, but we found it didn’t leak at all if the cap was put back in place properly. It is also compatible with other Klean Kanteen caps.

With a capacity of 355ml this can be used for children to take to school or on long journeys, but we think it comes into its own when the water vessel of choice for outdoor adventure. This is thanks to its stainless steel composition, which ensures top notch durability – sayonara to dents – not to mention the Klean Coat powder coat finish means the pristine paintwork will never chip. It’s also dishwasher safe. This bottle is truly built to last.

Best: As part of a set

Rating: 7/10

This 400ml stainless steel bottle is eco-friendly, durable and rust resistant. The lid is a simple screw top, with a wide opening – an alternative to straws and spouts – that echoes more traditional means of drinking, so best for children who have mastered controlling water flow.

It’s not dishwasher-proof, but it’s easy enough to hand wash – no fiddly bits to contend with. Oh, and there’s a whole host of matching items including a backpack (£28, Welovefrugi.com) and lunch bag (£16, Welovefrugi.com) if you fancy expanding your set.