Last year, my kids needed a water bottle with a spray nozzle.
All the other kids at camp had them, so I rushed out to buy one for my kids as well. They were sold out everywhere, so I was lucky to get my hands on a bottle for each of them. If I recall correctly, they cost $20 each, so I hesitated, and then gave in. Not only did they keep water cold, but they could squirt themselves with the spray nozzle so they could cool off during the day.
“Don’t lose these or I won’t buy another one,” I told them.
They each held onto their bottles, but by the end of the summer, I realized they weren’t the best ones ever. When they were filled up, they were so heavy they weighed down my kids’ backpacks. I should know—I had to carry them!
When I found these little plastic foldable bottles, I jumped at the chance to buy them each one of those. They didn’t weigh a thing when empty, but they leaked. Their bags, and all their contents, were wet by the end of the day.
This year, everyone is talking about a S’well water bottle. They come in different sizes and cool patterns and seem to retail starting at $25 for the smallest one. I have a medium size bottle (it was a gift!) and it is amazing—it kept my water cold after a whole day in a hot car. They are vacuum sealed, metal insulated and have a double walled flask.
But would I buy them for my kids? It feels like an extravagant purchase for two boys. What if they get lost or stolen? If I send them with a regular plastic water bottle, won’t camp counsellors make sure they refill them with cold water throughout the day? They should be hydrating all day. Do they really need a water bottle that keeps water cold from morning until night?
What water bottles do you send to school and camp for your kids? Is there one that’s better than all the others?
