Back-to-School Bottles That Get an A+: Custom Picks for Kids, Teens & Teachers

by Owala Team

Updated: Aug 3, 2025

TL:DR

Back to school season is almost here (yes, already). Our customization tool makes it super easy to design a one-of-a-kind Owala bottle for the school year.

Whether you're shopping for kids, teens, or the world’s best teacher, a personalized water bottle is a fun (and practical) pick that stands out. Plus, they’re durable, leak proof, and designed to keep water cold all day long.

TL:DR

Back to school season is almost here (yes, already). Our customization tool makes it super easy to design a one-of-a-kind Owala bottle for the school year.

It’s Back to School Season—Let’s Make It Personal

Back to school season has officially entered the chat—along with new schedules, fresh notebooks, and a backpack that’ll hopefully hold up. Whether your crew is headed to kindergarten or college, one thing’s for sure: staying hydrated is non-negotiable. And if that hydration happens to come in a bottle that’s personalized, ultra functional, and just plain cool? Even better.

So where can you find this magical unicorn of a bottle? Enter Owala customization. We’ll help you create a water bottle so cool, your kid might finally stop losing it.

The MVP of School Supplies: A Leak-Proof Water Bottle

Why Every Student Needs a Reliable Bottle

Backpacks carry a lot—pencil cases, homework, electronics, hopes, dreams. The last thing you want is water spilling all over them. Wet backpacks can ruin a day, which is why you always want a reliable kids’ water bottle. One that locks, never leaks, and keeps water cold all day.

Built for School Days: Our Smartest Features

A smart bottle for your smart kid. Owala bottles are unlike any other, in part because of our two-way FreeSip spout. That means kids can sip, swig, or switch between the two (without ever changing the lid).

Plus, it has a push-button that flips open the lid and a carry loop that doubles as a lock when it’s not being used—or, in the case of our FreeSip Sway, there’s a lock switch that you can have on (even when you’re using the handle).

Three colorful Owala water bottles are displayed against a playful school-themed backdrop with notebooks and paperclips. From left to right: a small yellow and gray travel mug, a tall pink and lavender tumbler with a flip-top lid, and a bright orange bottle with magenta and yellow accents. The scene is cheerful and school-supply inspired.

Hydration Without the Hassle

Between gym class, recess, and sprinting to not miss the bus, kids need a bottle that can keep up with their active life. Owala bottles are built for real life. They’re leak-proof (even when upside down, which somehow always happens), super durable, and easy to sip on the go thanks to our FreeSip® spout.

Plus, they fit in most standard backpack pockets. Like, really fit. Which means no shoving or forcing them to fit.

Make it Theirs: Custom Bottles for School-Aged Kids

Let’s be honest—half the battle is getting kids to remember their water bottle. The other half? Making sure it doesn’t end up in the lost and found yet again—or get accidentally swapped at lunch.

That’s where customization comes in.

With our easy-to-use customization tool, your kiddo can design a bottle that’s 100% theirs. Choose a bottle, pick your size, then have fun with colors—mix and match the bottle and boot to make it totally theirs. Add their name or a nickname for that final personal touch.

Bonus: For parents of littles, you can even add a QR code to the bottle with your contact info in case their bottle (or your kiddo) takes a detour.

Trendy, Functional Bottles for Teens and College Students

For teens and college students, a water bottle is basically part of the outfit. It’s got to be functional (obviously), but also stylish enough to sit on a desk, fit in a backpack, and maybe even show up in a TikTok.

Luckily, Owalas are tough, trendy, and actually fun to carry around. With customization options for initials, school colors, or whatever phrase they’re obsessed with this week, it’s a low-key way to show some personality—even if they’re stuck in a uniform. Basically, we make hydration an aesthetic.

A+ Appreciation: Teacher Gifts That Actually Get Used

Looking for custom teacher gifts that are thoughtful and useful? Skip the mug—they’ve got enough. A custom Owala bottle is a practical way to say “thank you” that still feels personal.

Choose their favorite color palette, add their name (or a fun title, and you’ve got a gift they’ll reach for daily. It pairs perfectly with a gift card or handwritten note for extra credit. Whether it’s for the first day, teacher appreciation week, or holiday gifting, it’s a solid win.

Three customized Owala water bottles sit against a colorful school-themed backdrop with notebooks and paperclips. The light blue bottle on the left is engraved with “Best Teacher Ever,” the tall orange bottle in the center reads “Rylee,” and the teal kids' bottle on the right features a playful penguin illustration.

Your Back to School Gifting Guide: Best Bottle Picks by Age Group

Need a little inspiration? Here’s how to match the perfect bottle to the person:

Elementary-aged kids: Kids’ Freesip bottle + their name in bold colors

Middle schoolers: FreeSip 24 oz or 32 oz bottle with images of their favorite hobby

High school & college: 24 oz tumbler or FreeSip Sway + initials or fun phrase

Teachers: FreeSip Sway or 40 oz tumbler in neutral tones + a personalized message (e.g., “Best. Teacher. Ever.” or “Mrs. Richards”)

Want to add your own artwork? Check out our customization guide for ideas on how to make the ultimate personalized bottle.

How to Customize with Owala

Creating a custom bottle is as easy as picking a lunchbox snack. Just head to our customization collection, choose your favorite bottle size and style, and start mixing and matching. Add your name, a phrase, or leave it blank—this is your bottle, your way.

P.S. Order soon to make sure your custom bottle arrives in time for the first day of school!

Step-by-Step: Designing Your Custom Bottle

1. Find your favorite Owala: Kids’ FreeSip, FreeSip Twist, OG FreeSip… whichever you pick, you can’t go wrong.

2. Pick a color: Now’s the time to ask… which color screams you?

3. Choose your tattoo style: Engrave or print. Engraving shows the metal underneath, while printing comes in full color.

4. Add our art or yours: Our full gallery has tons of cool designs to choose from—or upload your own.

5. Play around with it until it’s perfect! Our customization tool gives you a 360 view of the bottle. You can even add a full wrap in certain sizes.

Shipping Times & Back-to-School Deadlines

Custom Owala bottles are made just for you—literally—so they need a few days to come to life. Most orders ship within 5–7 business days, but back-to-school season can get busy (because of course it does), so it’s smart to order early.

You’ll see estimated delivery times at checkout, and we’ll keep you posted every step of the way. Think of it as one less thing to panic-buy the night before school starts.

Why Customized Owala Bottles are the Back-to-School Essential

Custom Owala bottles are the secret sauce to starting the school year off right. Whether you’re shopping for your student, their teacher, or hey—yourself—there’s no better way to sip in style, stay hydrated, and stand out from the crowd.

Start customizing your back-to-school bottle today—and make this year your most hydrated one yet.