FUNtainers: The Best Water Bottles for Kids
79Tired of Disfunctional Water Bottles!
Okay, to be honest, I never imagined I would be sitting down to write an article review about a water bottle. But, low and behold, here I am doing just that. Let me give you some background as to how I got to this point.
My children bring bottled water to school with them everyday. There are a few reasons for the this. First of all, the school is sometimes hot and they need a drink after recess and gym. Secondly, I don't like them drinking from the water fountains because of the germs. Too many kids put their mouths RIGHT on the spout. Yuck! Thirdly, water is just plain good for them.
I chose to purchase reusable bottles instead of sending my kids to school with the plastic one-use water bottles since they provide safer drinking water for my children. Some of the plastic water bottles can leak harmful chemicals into the drinking water and stainless steel bottles are recommended. Also, reusable water bottles are better for the environment.
Therefore, over the past six years I have purchased countless water bottles for my kids to take to school with them. However, regardless of which water bottle I purchased, there were always problems. Some of the problems included:
1. Leakage. One of the biggest problems!
2. The inability of the water bottle to keep water cold past 10:00am.
3. The spout was too small to insert regular sized ice cubes, Yes, I even purchased one of those special ice cube trays one year to make narrow-sized cubes. What an absolute pain that was!
4. The straw would continually disconnect from the top piece.
5. The water bottle did not come in kid friendly designs.
So, this year I was determined to find the perfect water bottle for my kids. I was no longer going to write notes to my kid's teachers explaining that their textbooks were soggy because their water bottles leaked. I was no longer going to tolerate warm bottled water. I was ready to say good-bye to straw disconnect once and for all! My kids deserve better. I was a mom on a mission.
Did I succeed in finding the perfect water bottle for my kids? Find out the answer below!
My Kid's Funtainer Water Bottles
FUNTainer Replacement Straws & Lids
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NEW Thermos FOOGO/FUNTAINER bottle REPLACEMENT STRAW
Current Bid: $4.99
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*BRAND NEW* THERMOS FOOGO FUNTAINER INITIAL 1ST TYPE REPLACEMENT STRAW SEALED3PC
Current Bid: $7.99
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FUNtainers by Thermos
The results are in! After much searching, I have found the perfect thermos for my children to take to school. These water bottles contain everything I was looking for.
1. 100% leak free
2. Hygienic push button lid with pop-up straw. And, straw stays attached!
3. Large opening to insert full size ice cubes
4. Keeps beverages cold for 12 hours.
5. BPA chemical free
6. Unbreakable stainless steel interior and exterior
7. Lots of fun kid's designs to chose from.
We'll, my kids have been taking their Funtainers to school for about a month now and they love them. And, it has been a problem-free month. No leaks, no warm water and no problems with the straw attachement.
These water bottles definately deliver what they promise. I fill them in the morning with refrigerated RO water and I put in one or two ice cubes. The bottles don't need ice cubes, but my kids like to put them in anyway. The other day, one of my daughter's bottles was on the counter in the evening. It was 8pm. I took a sip and would you believe it was STILL ice cold! This was filled at 6:30am that morning.
Funtainers are available in many designs including Batman, High School Musical, Hannah Montana, Hello Kitty, Barbie, Spiderman, Scooby Doo, Disney Princess, Star Wars, Funky Flowers, Bratz, Sports, Camo and many more! My girls have the Camo design Funtainer water bottles, one has pink and the other has purple. My son has Speed Racer.
I have successfully solved the water bottle dilema. I am now a happy mom. All is well.
More FunTainers
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Spiderman Thermos Funtainer Stainless Steel Kids Insulated 12oz Straw Bottle
Current Bid: $15.75
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Mickey Mouse Thermos Funtainer Stainless Steel Kids 12oz Insulated Straw Bottle
Current Bid: $15.25
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Butterfly Thermos Funtainer Stainless Steel Kids Insulated 12oz Straw Bottle
Current Bid: $14.75
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FunTaiiner Water Bottles
 | Amazon Price: $9.95 List Price: $14.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $2.70 List Price: $16.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $29.95 |
Water Cooler ChatLoading...
A great review. We have lots of reusable bottles. I am sure that if I let my daughter see this she would want the High School Musical one!
My daughter has gone through 3 of these funtainers. If you drop it the plastic top that flips up cracks and you cannot replace just that one piece, you must replace the entire container.
Wow, leelee, that is a lot of broken containers! Sorry that happened to you.
These sound great, and I know other moms who swear by them mainly because of their ability to keep things cold. However, I'm hesitant because of issues I've had with other bottles/cups with built-in straws. I've had difficulty getting them clean, and also with liquid getting vacuumed up into the straw while the cup is closed, which then sprays out when it is opened. Can anyone comment on whether either of these things is an issue with these bottles? Is the top/straw portion dishwasher safe?
@kblzjilmom: My kids have never had the liquid vacuum up and then spray out when opened. The entire bottle including top/straw portion is top rack dishwasher safe and it also comes apart for easy cleaning. Each bottle comes with an extra pop-up straw attachment, so you can replace the straw piece mid-way through the school year if you chose to.
You forgot to mention one other feature... the lid will break on the slightest drop and render it useless after that. And Thermos will charge you for the replacement part even after they advertise this as 'unbreakable' and 'for kids'. Great idea, but VERY poorly designed. We had 4 and 2 are broken after just a couple of weeks.
Check the link I just posted for more details.
@Craig: leelee posted a similar problem above. I personally have not experienced this happening, but thank you for sharing your experience. I am sure it will help others be more educated when deciding to purchase one of these water bottles.
Thanks for the link.
Good hub - thank you.
It's been hard to find a product that works well for the kids - this should help.
These are great....for about a year and then the straw and sippy part start to disintegrate (get cracks and holes) making it almost impossible to get a drink out of. And I never put them in the dishwasher. I'm wondering if it's because I started filling them with juice (typically apple)) as opposed to just water? Maybe the acid in the juice breaks down the rubber? (Also they started leaking on me too).
@K Hubbard: I am not sure if juice would cause this to happen since I only put water in the bottles. I always wash mine in the dishwasher (top rack), too. Didn't your Funtainers come with an additional straw attachment? All mine did. Where was your bottle leaking from?
You might want to check out the spill proff leak proof kids water bottles from contigo. http://www.gocontigo.com/kids.html
I bought these at the beginning of the school year and the problem I have is that they develop mold inside the spout part. I do not put them in the dishwasher, but I have always tried to clean them out well with a QTip. It no longer works; the mold is now part of the spout. I'm checking with Thermos now for replacements bc the kids love them and they work out wonderfully!
@Nicole: I have always washed my kids bottles in the dishwasher, top rack only. I have never had a mold problem. Sorry that happened to you. I just came across some replacement parts and have added the links to purchase these items here. Hope this helps!
The lids break if the bottle is dropped. I have replaced 5 lids. With a 5 year old taking the bottle to school, I need something that won't break. I wish Thermos would make an unbreakable lid!
I came across this article in my search for a "perfect" water bottle for my kids, and I was so excited to read about the author's discovery. Until I scrolled down and found that her "ultimate" water bottle is the very one I'm trying to replace...like other readers said, if you drop the bottle, the top breaks, and then it's unusable (we've been through 4 because of that); the straws are hard to clean (after awhile, mold started to grow in them); and after a couple cycles in my dishwasher, the bottom plastic piece began falling off, leading to leaking! So, these are not the perfect water bottles, in my opinion. Keep looking :)
I found my perfect bottle http://www.aosbanbury.com/product_26952.htm
I've tried them and after a few months, they started to leaking! I'm beginning to think a true leak proof bottle doesn't exist??!! Back to the drawing board for me!
If you want a cup that will last a couple of months, its great. But if you want one that lasts longer, then keep looking. The bottoms eventually drop off and yes gunk builds up in the straws. The up side is it is easy for kids to use. But they do break easily if they fall.
The only problem we have had is that we lost the blue ring that makes the bottle leak proof. I ended up purchasing an additional bottle, Camp Rock style, and when I got it home, it didn't have the blue ring but a better style of full coverage ring. Much better design for sure. My two kids, in grades 1 & 3 have had these all year and love them. They are still in great shape and have been dropped, we just snap the pop up lid back on no problem!! The teachers like them because they don't sweat on the desk as plastic water bottles do and here in Canada we attend school until the 25h of June. Our 1950's built school does not have air conditioning.
I can confirm that the lid breaks easily. We got 4 bottles and 2 broke already. Getting ready to buy just the lid and bottom. Searched Ebay and it's like $10/piece including shipping for the top. My wife wants me to buy 10 lids and 4 bottoms for our 2 years and 6 years old kid. Last time she made me buy 20 straws from them. Parts are NOT CHEAP.
I wish "Lizzie" left the name of her perfect water bottle. The link is for a store and they carry Sigg (don't trust them) and Nalgene.
Oh, God Bless you for writing this article!!! More mom's need to provide feedback since that is my #1 source of GOOD information about kids items out there, thanks so much, will be giving these a try for this school year.
You can get replacement lids (the new kind with the triangular shaped button) for your Thermos Funtainer by calling Thermos directly at 1-800-831-9242. They cost $2 a piece. They come in 3 colors: black, pink and blue. The top straw does come with it, just keep the bottom straw (that's what the operator said). Therefore I ordered 4 with shipping the total came to $11 and some change. The operators were very helpful and courteous and they accept MC/Visa/Disc. Don't get them anywhere else...they are ripping you off.
Great information Martha. Thanks for sharing it!
have never had ANY problems...used them for over a year. The only reason I'm looking here now is that the dog chewed up one of our straws.
I bought my 5 year old son this bottle about a month ago. He is very hard on things and has dropped it many times and nothing has ever broken off. Every night I take the straw and leak proof seal apart from the cap and wash it all separately with pipe cleaners and there is definitely no signs of mold. I know a lot of others have said they put it in the dishwasher on the top rack but I just hand wash everything with soap and hot water and let it all air dry over night. This bottle is great but, like others, I'm having a hard time finding replacement parts. One of the other kids at my son's school cut the rubber straw that sticks out of the top. I guess I will just have to call thermos to get what I need since I can't find any parts in stores or their online store.
Overall: Great bottle and definitely worth the money!!
We just bought this thermos a couple of weeks ago. My 3 year old dropped it and the lid won't stay shut anymore. Lucky for me I found this site and called the number listed above from Martha. Thanks so much! The customer service department did say that the lid wasn't covered under the warranty, but that they would send one out as a one time courtesy. After that the replacement parts could be purchased by calling the same number for $2 a piece plus postage. Overall I have been very satisfied with the thermos and now I know where to get the parts if I need them!
This product is terrible, and after purchasing three of these for my daughter, I would never recommend this water bottle to anyone. I have had the same problem with all three bottles and that is leaks from the top where the straw comes out of the lid. There is nothing worse than getting to school and finding milk all over your child's lunchbox and backpack. The straw also does get gross over-time and the picture on the outside of the bottle started to wear off very quickly. This bottle will keep beverages cold for long periods of time and has a convenient flip top but that is the only good things about it.
Yes, I get mold in one of the two of my Thermos top straw. I'll try customer service but it's just really weird. I use only water for the container and have tried cleaning it with a Q-tip and other things and the mold keeps coming back & I've only had it about 4weeks. Hopefully the customer serv. staff will help! Thanks for writing this info site!
I bought one of these for my son. There is a major issue with the straw spraying liquid all over when you pop the top open. He actually quit drinking anything during lunch because it was such a problem. I came across this article while looking for a different insulated water bottle for him. Everyone should be warned about this issue before dropping $12 - $15 on a water bottle that you child will beg you not to use.
I've purchased 3 and within 2 weeks my child dropped two of them which broke the flip top lid. . .making it useless. I'd recommend looking for something else . . .these are too much money for how easy it breaks.
I purchased two of these funtainers well over a year ago, one for my son, who manages to break everything but has not broken this cup. He takes it to school everyday and it doesn't leak, everything on it works still, BUT we are experiencing the mold issue. I am trying to figure out if there is a way to clean it thoroughly or if we need to buy some replacement parts. (ours didn't come with an extra straw). These would be perfect if not for the mold in the straw.
*also I do have to say that we've had great experience with the contigo cups just wish they had stainless steel options for kids.
I love these Funtainers as they keep drinks very cold the entire day however, the lids do break easily if dropped. Re: cleaning the straws... I use Dr. Brown's replacement cleaning brushes. They clean straws very very well.
i just ordered replacement straws for my funtainers because my three year old likes to chew on his(i do not reccommend cutting them shorter, then they leak) and they were only $1.00 each. I have not had the mold issue some of you are having, but it's cheap enough to just replace the straw every couple of months. I ordered four straws, and the total plus shipping is $7.00.
Than you Martha - I had almost given up on buying a replacement lid for what seems to be an otherwise good bottle. I could not find any link on the internet to buy it. But the phone# you provided works !
In any case, next time, I am not buying a bottle where the lid breaks easily. My kids can now use steel bottles with removable lids (no straws).
I have three kids and two of the funtainers are great but one has serious leakage and I can't figure out if its the straw or the lid itself. Where can I get replacement parts?
@Confused Dad: You can try calling Thermos directly @ 1-800-831-9242. You can also sometimes find Funtainer replacement parts on Ebay.
Sorry, but these leak, too. The top pops open when the button gets jostled in the lunch box. It reliably spilled every day my son took it to school. I wish I could actually find something that works. Thermos isn't the answer.
I love these Funtainer thermoses. I ordered one with a custom design from cafepress.com and my son uses it every day. No problems with leakage unless he chews up the end of the straw. ;)
@Laura: I had no idea they carried custom funtainers on cafepress! Thanks for the info. :)
all parts can be replaced, i just ordered parts from thermos directly. they have a order form which you can order from straws to top lids to the base.
These bottles are just beautiful, kids love em so much, great hub :)
No good. The straws in water bottles are hard to clean.
Genuine article that is prefect for real mothers who care for their babies up keep.Quite informative hub,thanks for enlightening us.
Just called Thermos to order replacement straws for FOUR funtainers - the newer models - great customer service. Straws were only $1. Replacement Lid was $3. And if the base has fallen off - like it did for 2 of ours - they will replace the whole thing for free. I would call that great service. We have been using 4 of these everyday for 2 years now. i would expect wear and tear because my kids abuse them. I love them. Stays cold and no leaks, unless it accidentally pops open and that is rare. Great thermos!!!!!!!
Hi everyone! I've noticed that a lot (including myself) has had the issue about cleaning the straw portion. I use a tiny piece of paper towel soaked in soapy water and insert it in the straw using a metal barbecue stick that you can buy at your grocery stores. Hope this helps!
@Mom of 3: Thanks for the tip! :)
We love these!
My only complaints have been the mold in the straw, but since we hand wash and don't have a dishwasher, I expect that. Replacements are pretty cheap, compared to replacing a $4-$6 cheap cup more frequently. And the the other complaint is the occasional leak. I have discovered if the top part of the straw (the disk part under the lid) has gotten wet between the lid and the disk, the whole thing will "shift" as the lid is being screwed on. It took a few soggy paper days to discover the solution. I just remove the disk, dry it and the interior of the lid where the disk connects with a towel, and voila - no more shifting!
My only complaint with the Funtainers is the print wears off after a few months and I only handwash them. I sent an e-mail to Thermos and they sent a replacement in exchange of the old one. It's better to just buy the plain one.
I love them. I wish they came in more PLAIN colors....only one I can find is silver with blue base and lid. Also wish we could get replacement lids, but overall LOVE them.
the design fades/chips over time if you wash them in the dishwasher
We've had these containers for a couple of years and I love them for keeping beverages cold BUT I too have had problems with the lid breaking. Thanks for the number to call and get replacement parts. We have never experienced the mold issue. Sometimes we top rack wash but usually we hand wash. And I don't really do anything special to the straw--no q-tip or pipe cleaner or anything but I never close the lida all the way when i put it away to ensure that the straw can continue to air dry even after it's put away.
@Nicole; Yes, I never fully close the lid either to allow for more drying.
entertaininstyle 3 years ago
Wow, good for you! I have been looking for a good water bottle myself and I will have to give these a try. I think I might prefer Disney Princess :)