7 Best Smoothie Cups For Toddlers, Babies, + Big Kids

Wondering what the best smoothie cups for toddlers, babies, and big kids are? Discover our top picks and how to choose the best kids smoothie cup for your family, plus our absolute favorite healthy smoothies and more below!

Best Overall Smoothie Cup: Zak Designs Stainless Steel Cups

Zak Designs stainless steel cups are probably our favorite smoothie cups for toddlers we've tested over the years that we also use as our everyday water bottle. Toddlers love the characters and fun prints, while parents will love the spill proof design. We also found it's the best spill proof toddler smoothie cup.

We find these are the best cups for everyday toddler use too thanks to the easy to clean design.

It's noteworthy though, not all of their cups fit perfectly into car cup holders; however they are incredibly durable and leak proof.

Their built-in straw as a little seal to slow/stop the flow when flipped upside down.

Most Versatile Smoothie Cups: Elk and Friends

Elk and Friends are a great, versatile smoothie cup option. They are essentially glass mason jars (though you can opt for the stainless steel option too). The silicone + glass cups come with silicone sleeves for durability.

Additionally, it comes with a straw stopper so you don't need to worry about your toddler pushing the straw all the way into the cup (or pulling it all the way out depending on their preference and how you put it in). Plus a straw cleaning brush.

We love that these also allow you to drink from the spout without a straw or use for food storage with the included leak-proof air-tight lids.

Easiest To Clean Smoothie Cup: Klean Kanteen Kid Straw-Lid Cup

The Klean Kanteen kid straw cup is perfect for smoothies. Made from 90% post consumer recycled steel, it's a nontoxic, durable, eco cup parents and kids will love.

It's the easiest cup to clean on this list while also being dishwasher safe. Kids will love the bright and vibrant colors, while parents will appreciate the fact these are stackable regular cups that also fits into most kids cup holders in car seats or strollers.

Best Plastic Smoothie Cup: Re-Play Straw Cup

If you're looking for the most affordable smoothie cup, then Re-Play's straw cup is a great option. Coming in the widest color selection, these eco cups hold 10 oz and are the perfect size for standard cup holders.

Re-play specializes in making kitchenware (cups, plates, utensils, etc.) from recycled plastic that is BPA and BPS free, made in the USA. These cups are one of the easier one's to clean on this list, and are also dishwasher and microwave safe.

Lastly, you can purchase replacement straws separately.

Best Silicone Smoothie Cup: Avanchy

Avanchy's silicone cups with straw lids come in a wide variety of colors and sizes. For review purposes, we are solely focusing on their toddler cups which hold 5 oz or more which feature straws with a diameter wide enough to accommodate thick smoothies.

Additionally, all silicone cups like this always pose the greatest spill risk in my opinion. While the cap does screw on, it's still a relatively soft structure, so kids can squeeze it and squirt stuff out or pop the lid off. However despite us personally not loving silicone cups like this, we do think this is the best option if you this is your family's preferred style.

With that said, silicone cups like this are one of my favorite options as a trainer cup for little hands learning to use an open cup. The silicone material is a perfect choice for oral development when used without the lid.

Best Smoothie Pouch: haakaa Reusable Silicone Yummy Pouch

If you're looking for a refillable squeeze pouch for smoothies or other purees, look no further than haakaa's yummy pouch.

While the inner straw is detachable for cleaning, we do find this that hardest of all the picks to clean. You'll need special tools for cleaning, like a bottle brush, to get all the way inside the pouch, and then you'll want to set that wide open to dry fully.

However we do like you can opt for a squeeze spoon lid if you make the smoothie chunky or are offering semi-solid foods.

Best Smoothie Cup with Handle: SUNWILL Insulated Mug

We've had our Sunwill mug for close to 2 years now and can't recommend it enough as an affordable stainless steel option! While it's not perfectly designed for toddler smoothies, it certainly works well if you're looking for a cup with a handle.

It's vacuum sealed insulation and BPA free silica gasket makes it relatively spill proof (unless turned upside down) while keeping smoothies cold for up to nine hours.

We personally love this cup because the slide open lid features a wide drinking hole you can easily add a straw too. This cup also comes in a huge selection of colors. Beyond that, the handle and powder coated finish make it comfortable and durable.

How To Choose The Best Smoothie Cups for Toddlers + Babies

The right smoothie cup for your family should be durable, nontoxic, and offer a wide enough straw that child do not attempt to compensate the proper suck-swallow pattern with their cheeks. The right cup will also be convenient. It should be easy to clean (watch out for the silicone seal on some cups!) and fit in a cup holder or diaper bag. Small hands should also have no issues holding the cup. While ease of use is important for kids, you also want something they can't open and pour everywhere.

• Size and capacity of the cup: The big things here are the opening for the straw and overall size. Smoothies are typically easier to drink through thicker straws. Then your child's appetite dictates the number of ounces to consider. We typically think 4 to 8 oz smoothie cups are fine for this age.
• Material of the cup: Stainless steel keeps drinks cool longer and can typically handle the beating toddlers put their cups through while others prefer glass or food grade silicone. The silicone type of cup is great as a transition cup from a bottle to an open mouth, but the lids tend to pop off. Plastic is another option, though not as popular due to a durability issues and a long history of questionable chemicals and ethics of brands.
• Lid and spout design: Some lids and spouts tout being “spill proof.” At minimum we think you should opt for one with a secure lid, even if spills can still happen through the straw hole.
• Ease of cleaning: Toddler cups are a breeding ground for mold, so you want to prioritize easy cleaning. Something that is wide enough to get a sponge or washcloth to the base. The lid ideally is as simple as possible, as mold tends to love thin crevices in lids. The vacuum seal silicone ring around a lot of cups can be the trickiest spot to clean. Additionally, you should be able to clean the spout and straw with ease.
• Durability: Toddlers tend be rough with their cups, and for this reason we prefer stainless steel and food grade silicone cups.

FAQs about smoothies for toddlers

What are the benefits of smoothie cups for toddlers?

Smoothie cups for toddlers can provide a durable vessel that keeps your toddlers drink cool and can fit a larger straw, so the thicker beverage is easier to drink. Some smoothie cups are spill proof; though not all of them.

We prefer these over traditional cups with thin straws simply because it's easier to drink from.

Are smoothies healthy for toddlers?

When making a healthy smoothie, always pair carbs (fruit) with protein to create a sustainable energy. You can add the protein into the smoothie or pair it on the side.

As with anything, it depends. Smoothies can be made very healthy, or they can throw blood sugar out of whack.

Can you DIY smoothie cups for toddlers?

Yes! You certainly don't need a dedicated smoothie cup and can use any of these household items:

DIY Smoothie Cup Ideas for Toddlers

• Mason jar with a silicone sleeve
• Sippy cup with a straw
• Blender bottle
• Mason jar with a lid and spout

How can I make smoothies more appealing for toddlers?

Involve them in the process of making their smoothie! Toddlers love having a job and feeling accomplished. You may need to start by having them make you a smoothie, and with time they may want their own.

Additionally, opting for their favorite character or colored cup is another way to encourage them.

Lastly, try making it a their favorite color. Here's a simple cheat sheet:

• Green: Spirulina or chlorophyll
• Blue: Blue algae
• Red/pink: Strawberries, cherries, raspberries
• Purple: Blueberries
• Orange: Oranges or orange juice
• Yellow: Mango or pineapple

Are smoothies good for toddlers?

Smoothies can be a great way to get in extra nutrients and minerals for growing toddlers who may have a hard time sitting down for a meal. Additionally, for toddlers struggling with growth, it can be a nice way to pack in extra calories.

However nothing replaces the importance of solid food and health benefits of physically chewing food for young kids. This act is essential for proper jaw and facial development in children.

Additionally, typical food and chewing tend to stimulate salivary juices, and thus digestion, better than a smoothie meaning it can help kids break down and absorb nutrients better than a smoothie.

While smoothies are good for toddlers, they are not a replacement for food and if you are concerned your toddler is consuming too many smoothies we suggest speaking with your pediatrician, a speech language pathologist, myofunctional therapist, or feeding specialist to make sure there isn't something else going on.

Can you put smoothie in a sippy cup?

Typically no; smoothies are too thick for sippy cups.

Additionally, sippy cups are not the best for toddler's facial development and their swallow patterns so we do not recommend them. See more here.

How to make smoothies for toddlers:

Always pair your carbs with a protein when making a smoothie for kids or adults; especially if using as a meal replacement or not pairing with solids. If your toddler is struggling with constipation, add in some healthy fats for good measure. Here are some of our favorite easy toddler smoothies (note some of these need protein):

Poo Poo Juice (for constipation):

• Prune Juice
• Date (soak in warm water if your blender isn't powerful enough to break down)
• Coconut oil
• Salt
• Cream of tartar or banana (extra potassium)

Green smoothie:

• Greens (mix of spinach, kale, romaine)
• Banana
• Peanut butter
• Coconut water

Berry Blaster:

• Berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, whatever your child likes)
• Orange juice
• Cream of tartar

Healthy add-ins for toddler smoothies:

Here are our favorite mix-ins for healthy toddler smoothies:

• Atlantic Dulse or kelp flakes: rich in iodine (good for swimming pool season to counter balance chlorine) and mixes in the berry blaster very well
• Cream of tartar packs a powerful punch of potassium – good for stressful seasons or poop problems
• Quality sea salt (code TCM for 15% off) – again good for stressful seasons and poop problems
• Coconut oil – monosaturated healthy fat for bowel movements
• Protein powder – while we prefer protein from whole food sources, we would rather add a little in a smoothie than go without
• Probiotic
• Chia seeds or flax seeds
• Veggie juices
• Bee pollen – immune boost full of minerals, vitamins like cooper, magnesium, selenium, and amino acids

Are straw cups OK for toddlers?

Yes, as long as your child is following proper swallowing mechanism straws are perfectly ok for toddlers.

If you're unsure if your child is doing this correctly, please consult a specialist like a speech language pathologist, myofunctional therapist, or feeding specialist.

How do you keep a smoothie cup clean?

Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for keeping it clean first and foremost.

Personally we hand wash our smoothie cups. Make sure to fully disassemble each time and let it sit out to draw fully. We use this brush to get into the straw and spouts.

How often should you replace smoothie cups for toddlers?

As with all toddler cups, you want to replace if mold is growing or some other defect that makes it unsafe or annoying to use.

What kind of cups should a 2 year old use?

Ideally kids use an open cup as much as possible for proper oral facial development. Straw cups are a nice second option when coordinating their muscles properly though. Sippy cups should be avoided.

Final thoughts

While there are a lot of different types of cups out there, we think the stainless steel Zak Designs are the best toddler smoothie cup. They are on the easier side to clean, extremely durable, keep drinks cool for a long time, generally child proof and spill proof, and feature toddlers favorite characters or trendy patterns.

A close runnerup is Klean Kanteen's new arrivals to the scene, their kid straw-lid cup. We think it's the perfect kids smoothie cup as kids grow. This is the easiest cup to clean on the list, while also being stackable and easy to use as a regular water cup. It requires no special tools or fancy features.

If your kids tend to not finish their drinks or you are looking for a cost effective cup meets food storage solution, then Elk and Friends is our top pick since each cup comes with two lids: a straw lid or flat one.

Lastly, Re-Play Straw Cup is just so affordable, we suggest having one or two in the cabinet.