13 Best Starbucks Drinks For Kids You Must Try (Complete Guide)

When you pull up to Starbucks drive-thru, kids in tow, you’re likely to get a deluge of “I want something too!” »

Well, did you know that Starbucks actually has a ton of kid-friendly drinks that are perfect for your little one, whether they’re five or 15?

Here are the 13 best Starbucks drinks for kids you need to try the next time you pour your coffee; just remember that the smaller size is probably the best and ask the barista for the “kid temperature”.

13 Best Starbucks Drinks for Kids You Need to Try

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13. Hot Chocolate

A classic for kids in every way, Starbucks is made with mocha sauce and steamed milk.

One advantage here is that the mocha sauce only contains about five grams of sugar per pump, so if you get the Kid size, which contains two pumps of mocha sauce, that’s only 10 grams of sugar in total.

Plus, you can opt for almond milk, which has the least amount of sugar — just seven grams, compared to 17 grams for oat milk and 26 grams for skimmed milk.

As with all hot drinks, be sure to ask for “child’s temperature” when ordering; they will heat the milk to 130 degrees, instead of 160, thus preventing your child’s mouth from scalding.

12. Strawberry Cream Frappuccino

Crème Frappuccinos actually contain zero caffeine (and coffee), making them perfect for kids who are already hyper-disposed (and that would be all of them).

And the Strawberry Crème Frappuccino reigns supreme – who doesn’t love what a strawberry milkshake is?

Made with pureed strawberries, ice and milk (remember, you can add almond milk to reduce the sugar content a bit), this drink is quite sweet.

11. Apple Spice Caramel

The ideal drink during or after the pumpkin farm in the fall or a day of shopping in the winter, the Apple Caramel Spice tastes like a candied apple.

Made with steamed apple juice, cinnamon syrup, whipped cream, and a drizzle of caramel, you can skip those last two ingredients if you want to cut calories and sugar.

10. Strawberry Ice Milk

You can’t go wrong with the simple ingredients of Starbucks Strawberry Ice Milk; it’s milk of your choice, strawberry puree and ice cream.

This sweet berry drink is like a dressed up version of the basic strawberry milk.

You can also ask for freeze-dried strawberries in the drink, for a little more texture and pleasure.

Or have it blended for a smoothie-like consistency that would be fun for older kids who can handle a thicker drink.

9. White Hot Chocolate

Like regular hot chocolate, white hot chocolate is a basic drink made with milk of your choice and mocha sauce.

It’s just that in this case, the mocha sauce is white. It’s a great alternative if your child isn’t a fan of plain chocolate – or if you don’t want to risk them spilling and staining their outfit.

If you order through the loudspeaker, you will ask for the “child’s temperature”.

But if you’re ordering through the app, you can edit under Milk where it says “Milk Temperature” and change it to “Hot” for sensitive little mouths.

8. Vanilla bean frappuccino cream

The Starbucks Vanilla Bean Frappuccino isn’t just great for kids – it’s great and a hit with everyone.

Made with milk, vanilla bean powder and ice at the base, it’s a simple, sweet and delicious drink – reminiscent of a vanilla milkshake.

It’s great for picky eaters who turn up their noses at most flavors or kids who don’t like fruit in their drinks.

Or, you can add a few pumps of syrup; raspberry or brown apple sugar will suit the more adventurous palates.

7. Brown Sugar Glazed Oat Milk

The kid’s version of the Espresso Iced Shaken, this drink is naturally caffeine and coffee free.

His oat milk, a pump or two of brown sugar syrup and ice; you can ask for: a large oat milk with a few pumps of brown sugar syrup, over ice.

If you’re using the app, go to the Iced Shaken Espresso version and simply cancel espresso shots.

6. Steamed Vanilla Milk

For smaller kids — say, two or more — who still want “what mommy or daddy has,” consider ordering the steamed vanilla milk for them.

It’s very basic: just steamed milk of your choice and a few pumps of vanilla syrup.

You can even opt for unsweetened vanilla syrup, to reduce the sugar – they probably won’t notice the difference.

Or you can add any syrup your child likes, be it raspberry, hazelnut, caramel, etc.

5. Water with strawberry inclusions

If you’re struggling to get water into your child, this is the perfect compromise: you get the satisfaction of watching your child drink water, while they’re getting a “fancy” drink from Starbucks.

It’s just a cup of water with inclusions of strawberries, which are freeze-dried strawberries that are typically used in Refreshers.

Strawberries enhance the flavor of water, making it subtly sweet and berry-rich, while adding little sugar or calories.

To order, simply ask for high water with strawberry inclusions; it’s not on the menu, but the baristas will know what to do.

4. Orange Mango Smoothie

For older kids who can handle the thicker texture, there’s the Orange Mango smoothie at Starbucks.

It is composed of orange mango purée, mixed banana, a little milk and two scoops of protein powder.

You can skip the protein powder, naturally, and substitute it with almond milk instead of 2% (the default) to make it more kid-friendly and less sweet.

According to The Every Mom, the “mash is the only flavoring ingredient” (plus the banana), so it’s a healthier option for older kids.

3. Mixed Strawberry Lemonade

Mixed Strawberry Lemonade is so great for those hot summer days when you need a cold drink to cool hot tempers (or temper tantrums).

This caffeine-free drink is made with lemonade, strawberry puree, and ice, all blended to a smoothie consistency.

It’s also only 130 calories, fat-free, although there are 31 grams of sugar in a tall.

The mixed strawberry lemonade obviously comes in one mix, but if you have a little that isn’t quite up to par in texture, you can get the drink double-mixed.

This helps make the drink smoother and easier to pass through the small mouth hole (or straw).

2. Purple drink

Not to be confused with the Violet Drink – which is a version of the Refreshers and therefore contains caffeine – the Purple Drink is as good as it looks.

You ask for: passion iced tea and your choice of milk, a few pumps of vanilla syrup and inclusions of blueberries and blackberries.

The milk fades the color of passion iced tea to a nice lighter purple, while making it creamier than tea alone.

This drink is aimed at slightly older palates, especially with the fruit inclusions, as they could pose a choking hazard to very young children.

But if you’re confident your child can handle it, the Purple Drink is a wonderful treat for a warm spring day.

1. Babyccino

You can’t go wrong with steamed milk for toddlers, which is basically what this Babyccino is all about.

While it’s not on the Starbucks menu, you can just ask for short or high steamed milk with extra froth — and don’t forget to ask for it at “kids temperature.”

Your little one will feel included, while getting a healthy dose of calcium and other nutrients.

To learn more, you can also read our articles on Starbucks Infusions, Starbucks Yogurt, and Starbucks Sauce vs. Syrup.

Conclusion

Starbucks might not be the most obvious choice for kids’ drinks, but the menu — thanks to its many customizations — actually has plenty that will appeal to kids.

Try it with one of these 13 best Starbucks drinks for kids to try and start their love for the coffeeshop chain early!