Can you believe summer break is already coming to a close, and we’re in full back to school shopping mode already? The sales are everywhere, enticing you to buy clothes, backpacks, school supplies, and lunch boxes. But while you’re out shopping for the necessities, don’t forget one of the most important things your kids need throughout the day… water!
Kids’ bodies have a higher water content than an adult, but they lose a lot of water during the day with school activities and exercise. That’s why it’s important for them to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and healthy. Studies show kids that drink water through the day are more focused and increase their ability to learn. So, at the top of your back to school shopping list should be a great water bottle that they’ll love using.
PIN for when you’re ready to pick a bottle!
When you’re shopping for a water bottle, don’t grab the first bottle with a cute design. Your child may love it, but will you? Be sure to look at the following important criteria that I look for in my water bottles:
EASY TO CLEAN: We parents have enough to do every day. Let’s not add a “hand-wash only” item to our busy list. A lot of water bottles are not dishwasher safe, and some have multiple parts to take apart and clean. Our bottle picks are easy and top-rack dishwasher safe.
LEAK PROOF: No child wants to open their backpack to find the bottom soaked through from a leaky bottle. Or worse, their lunch soggy and ruined. Yuck!
SAFE: Everyone, parent or not, should be passionate about avoiding plastic products that contain chemicals that could cause cancer. We’ve been hearing it for years. BPA-free plastic has become a normal and necessary stamp of approval to see before we purchase. The other safe options are using water bottles made of stainless steel or glass. Glass may not be practical (or safe) for your kids to carry, so our 6 water bottles are all either BPA-free or stainless steel.
- A suggestion to teach your kids: keep your plastic water bottles out of direct sunlight or in prolonged heat. Most plastics, including BPA-free, when exposed to ultraviolet light (sunlight) or prolonged high temperatures, may leak chemicals that have estrogenic effects.
GREENS STEEL KIDS STAINLESS STEEL WATER BOTTLE, 12oz.
CHILLOUT LIFE DOUBLE INSULATED STAINLESS STEEL WATER BOTTLE, 12oz.
CAMELBAK EDDY KIDS TRITAN BPA FREE WATER BOTTLE, 12oz.
THINKSPORT DOUBLE WALL VACUUM INSULATED STAINLESS STEEL, 12oz.
ASOBU JUICY DRINK BOX REUSABLE AND UNBREAKABLE BPA FREE, 10oz.
BONUS Bottle: Contigo AUTOSEAL Trekker Kids Water Bottles 14 oz BPA Free
Okay, so there are my 5 best finds for awesome, safe, and user-friendly water bottles for back to school. But finding the perfect water bottle might just be the easy part. Now getting them to drink 2-3 bottles during the day, that’s the hard part.
A fun way to remind them to drink and refill their bottle is to put 2 or 3 colored elastic/rubber bands around the bottle. Each time they finish and go to refill their bottle, they take a rubber band off. The goal is to come home with an empty water bottle with no rubber bands still on it.
What are your kids’ favorite water bottles and why do they work well? Let me know in the comments below!
Water often for health and happiness. xx
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