CamelBak Eddy Kids

Bottom Line

Fashioned after their popular adult sports bottles, the Camelbak Eddy Kids offers durable, hard plastic construction and a bite-valve straw that parents say is easy for kids to use. Kids like drinking from a bottle that looks like mom's and dad's and also appreciate the variety of kid-themed bottle designs. Parents like that the bottle is mostly leakproof and very easy to clean and use.

Ease Of Use

Intuitive bite-to-flow valve. The Camelbak Eddy Kids Bottle has a lid with soft silicone valve that connects to an interior straw. The drinking valve folds down to seal the cup and folds up for drinking. Most parents say that it is easy and intuitive for their toddlers and kids to flip open the drinking valve and bite down on it to draw water through the straw. A few say that the valve takes a little breaking in to flip up easily and to get a good flow of water, but most say the flow on this bottle is great. Parents say that because the bottle has a rigid straw, there is usually a small sip of water left at the bottom of the bottle that kids can't get to.

Most parents say that the Camelbak bottle is leakproof, although there are complaints of occasional drips and seepage from bottles left on their sides with the straw valve open. While there are no complaints about pressure geysers from this straw, parents do say a little bit of liquid can work its way out of the cup.

Parents note that the components are easy to remove and wash and that they are also easy to reassemble. All parts are dishwasher-safe. There are isolated complaints about mold developing inside the bite valve after a year's use, but that part and the straw are replaceable. 

Durability

Strong, stain- and shatter-proof. The Camelbak Eddy Kids bottle is made of durable Tritan plastic. Tritan is a hard, smooth plastic that doesn't retain or impart odors as much as softer plastics, and it also won't stain. This bottle is made from the same material used in adult sport bottles that are designed for rugged, outdoor use; it is built to withstand years of use and abuse without breaking.

Unlike the valve on the adult Camelbak bottle that can be removed from the outside of the bottle, the kid's valve and stem attaches through the inside of the bottle so that kids can't remove it accidentally -- eliminating a potential choking hazard. (Adult Camelbak bottles are not recommended for children under 5 years old.) Most parents say that the bite valve can withstand a good amount of child chewing, but depending on your child, you should expect to replace these valves as they get leaky when worn.

Lifestyle Features

Adult-style, kid flair. Camelbak has done a good job maintaining the usability and functionality of their popular adult drinking bottle design, while adding in graphics that will appeal to kids. The Camelbak Eddy Kids bottle designs range from fairies, robots, and deep sea creatures to construction vehicles and jungle animals. The images themselves look more like sophisticated children's illustrations than cutesy toys. You will not have to worry about school-age kids thinking these cups are babyish, but you will also be able to find a cup that appeals to your toddler.

Recommended for children from 3 years and up, the Camelbak bottle has a larger 12-ounce capacity that lends itself to all-day use. Parents say that the bottle is comfortable and easy for little hands to hold. Camelbak offers a range of larger bottles and also has stainless-steel bottles and insulated plastic bottles with similar bite-valve lids, but these bottles are not recommended for children under 5 because of the removable bite valve. All plastic parts are BPA- and phthalate-free.