Thermos Funtainer vs Contigo Kids: Which Water Bottle Survives Daycare? (2026)

Choose the Thermos Funtainer if cold water matters, and the Contigo Aubrey if cleaning matters more. The Funtainer's vacuum-insulated steel keeps water genuinely cold through a full daycare day. The Contigo's advantage is that its lid disassembles into pieces you can actually see into, which is the difference between a bottle you keep and a bottle that develops a smell nobody can find.

A daycare water bottle gets dropped on tile, left in a cubby, carried by the straw and refilled by an adult managing eleven other children. Durability is table stakes for both of these. The decision that actually matters is the lid, because that is where mould grows and that is what ends up deciding whether the bottle lasts a year or a term.

Also check the center's policy first. Some programs require a name on the bottle, some require a straw lid rather than a spout for the youngest room, and some ask that bottles hold water only.

Funtainer vs Contigo Aubrey at a glance

	Thermos Funtainer 12 oz	Contigo Aubrey Kids
Insulation	Vacuum insulated steel	Insulated stainless option, plastic version not
Lid	Pop-up straw, limited disassembly	Disassembles into separate parts
Dishwasher	Top rack	Yes, all parts
Capacity	12 oz	Around 14 oz
Spill resistance	Good when latched	Autoseal spout, good
Budget	Under $25	Under $25

Choose the Thermos Funtainer 12 oz if…

Your classroom is warm, your child will not drink lukewarm water, or you are sending the bottle out for playground time in hot weather. Vacuum-insulated steel is not a marketing claim, it works, and Funtainer bottles are among the most commonly seen bottles in daycare cubbies for that reason. The honest downside is the straw lid: the silicone straw and the small channels inside the spout need real attention, and a bottle-and-straw brush set is not optional.

Check the Thermos Funtainer 12 oz on Amazon

Choose the Contigo Aubrey Kids if…

You would rather spend less time cleaning. The Aubrey's lid comes apart into pieces that go in the dishwasher and go back together without a puzzle, and every part is visible when it is apart, which is the only reliable way to know a bottle is clean. It is the larger of the two and the spout style suits children who have moved past a straw. It is also the more expensive.

Check the Contigo Aubrey Kids on Amazon

The part that decides bottle lifespan

Whichever you buy, take the lid fully apart at least weekly and let every piece dry separately. Straws and silicone gaskets are consumable and both brands sell replacements. A bottle that smells is usually a gasket problem, not a bottle problem.

Related guides

• Best sippy cups and water bottles for daycare
• Labelling daycare gear
• Daycare supply checklist

Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these products side by side. Confirm current prices, sizes and specifications before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.