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2022-08-20 02:36:30 By : Mr. mftecknology W

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As a working mom of four kids ranging in age from 4 months to 9 years, I have little to negative free time on my hands. My husband and I have learned to streamline our lives as much as possible, doing little daily hacks like packing lunch boxes the night before school, hanging up backpacks near the door, laying out breakfast making supplies in the kitchen after dinner is cleaned up—and making sure everyone has a water bottle handy at all times. Because the last thing I need to do is field “I’m thirsty” comments while I’m trying to handle a post-blowout outfit change.

The Yeti Rambler Jr. is an easy way to meet your kid's hydration needs.

While I’ve had my thirst coverage on lockdown for years, my kids started to complain about the temperature of their water as they got older. We live in a beach community, and suddenly I kept hearing that their water was too hot during a beach outing or while we were at our neighborhood pool. I even dealt with the complaints at home after my kids discovered how much they liked ice water.

I’ve been a Yeti fan for ages, from water bottles to their awesome coolers. However, I consider myself pretty thrifty, so I figured my kids should be fine with a $10 water bottle vs. a $25 version. But a busy mom can only take so much complaining, right? I finally succumbed to a search for a better water bottle for my kids and landed on getting each of them their own Yeti Rambler Jr. My husband and I were already using our Yeti Ramblers daily, so it made sense to upgrade our children to the kid version of this wildly popular water bottles.

And I’m very glad we did—they’re absolutely perfect for my kids.

Here’s what I love: The Yeti Rambler Jr. features double-walled vacuum-insulation to keep drinks cold for hours. My kids have taken their Rambler Jrs. to the beach on 90-plus degree days and still had ice inside when we’ve gotten home.

At 12 ounces, these are a great size for my kids (my 26-ounce Yeti Rambler, by comparison, always had too much for them and was just asking for backwash). The Rambler Jr. also features a leakproof flip-up straw top for drinking that even my 3-year-old can lift herself. And, while this bottle is heavier than some of the competition (it weighs a pound when empty), my kids have never complained about the weight.

Because this is made by Yeti, these water bottles are durable. They’re crafted from kitchen-grade stainless steel that’s rust- and puncture-resistant. My kids are rough on their gear—dropping water bottles onto the ground is a near-daily experience—and none of our water bottles have even been scratched. All of the bottle’s parts can go through the dishwasher, which is vital when you’re a busy parent.

The Yeti Rambler Jr. comes in seven different colors—a nice feature when you have multiple children. Each of mine got to pick “their” color, so there’s no arguing about who each bottle belongs to. Purchasing your water bottle through the Yeti site allows for some customization, too, including some cool creature stickers and monograming, which is another favorite busy mom hack as it eliminates the need for slapping on a name label before it heads out the door.

It’s worth noting that my kids are as obsessed with these water bottles as I am, to the point of yanking freshly washed ones out of the dishwasher the second the cycle finishes. These water bottles are designed for ages 3 and up and probably work best for ages 5 to 10 with the tween and teen set, preferring a larger capacity and the younger preschool set preferring a lighter carry. My 9-year-old is starting to reach for the larger bottle, but the leak-resistant lid in this one remains so key for most kids, along with the straw-sipping style and the wide mouth for adding ice cubes. It’s hard to spill this one unless it’s left open. It’s also not made for hot beverages (straw!), nor for pulpy smoothies or carbonated drinks.

The only downside of these water bottles is the price. At $25 a pop, they’re definitely more expensive than your average kiddie water bottle. When my 5-year-old temporarily lost his—a common issue with him—I nearly had a heart attack. Still, if you factor in how often my kids each use their water bottles (as much as possible) and how durable Yeti products are, it’s worth it to me. Not everyone feels comfortable spending $25 on a kid’s water bottle, and fair. If you’re in the market for something a little less expensive, here are six more water bottles for kids to consider.

Like Yeti, CamelBak has its own cult-following, including for its kid water bottles. The brand’s 14-ounce Eddy Kids water bottle features an easy-to-flip straw cap, along with a handle that’s comfortable enough for little fingers to grip. The straw features the standard Camelbak big bite valve with a stem tube and shut off valve to prevent leaks. Choose from a range of adorable prints and designs in a BPA-free plastic water bottle.

At $10 a bottle, this Contigo two-pack is a steal. Each bottle features a straw that pops up with the touch of a button, along with a spill-proof valve to prevent leaks. The plastic lid is also specially designed to get rid of crannies where dirt and gunk can build up. The whole thing is top-rack dishwasher-safe.

Thermos’ vacuum insulated bottles help keep drinks cold for up to 12 hours, making them great for outdoor activities like sports and trips to the park. This bottle is made from 18/8 stainless steel, so it can handle drops like a champ. To drink from it, just push a button on the front to make the straw pop up. A built-in handle has a soft-touch grip to protect delicate fingers. Try the 12-ounce version of this Thermos water bottle for younger kids.

Glass may seem like a risky choice for a kid’s water bottle—and it is—but this bottle features a silicone sleeve that provides plenty of protection. That sleeve also contains grooves to make it nice and grippy for small hands. A wide mouth makes it easy to add ice, while the flip cap is a preferable way to sip for some older kids while still preventing spills while drinking. When your child is done with their bottle, simply place it in top rack of the dishwasher.

The SIGG is crafted from aluminum, making it lightweight and durable. The bottle is leak-proof, so you don’t have to stress about puddles forming in your bag, while a flip-top protective cap keeps out germs. The bottle top detaches for cleaning. Choose from a range of cute patterns and themes.

One parent-friend I know is obsessed with this lightweight stainless-steel water bottle for her kids. The Oswala water bottle’s cool colors seem to naturally attract kid fans, too. Double-walled insulation keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours. A one-handed flip top prevents leaks and keeps the drinking surface clean, making this a great option for school days. The cup portion is hand wash only while the top is dishwasher safe. We like the carry handle and the hideaway straw option, too.