Keeping your kids hydrated is important, but some kids struggle to drink enough water. If that is the case, juice can be a great way to keep them hydrated. Juice tastes good and is a good source of vitamin C.
When some parents think about juice, they worry about the sugar. Rightfully so, you want to keep the sugar low for healthy teeth and metabolism. Lucky for you, we have found that some of the best juices are low in sugar but still taste great.
Best Juice For Kids
Honest Kids Organic Juice Drink comes in 4 flavors of fruit combinations; whereas Apple & Eve Fruitables add veggies to their juice which gives a combined serving of both fruit and vegetables.
Honest Kids Organic Juice Drink
The Honest Kids Organic Juice Drink is our overall favorite choice of juice for kids. This juice only has 9 grams of sugar, which is about half of what most other kids’ juices have. The sugar is all-natural from the juice, meaning there is no added sugar.
This juice is technically is a mix of juice and water which is why it has such low sugar content, but this does not take away too much from the sweet flavor. It is great because your kids will be able to get that sweet taste and the benefits of vitamin C without all the sugar.
This product includes four flavors (Berry Lemonade, Grape, Fruit Punch, and Apple) and comes in 6oz easy to hold, recyclable boxes with straws.
Why We Love It
- No added sugar
- Only 9 grams of natural sugar (about 1/2 of most kids juices)
- USDA Certified Organic
- Four great tasting flavors
- 70% daily value of vitamin C
- Comes in a box that is easy to hold for small children
- Recyclable box
What’s Missing
- Less flavor than some other juices because of water content
- Larger size may not be appropriate for children ages 1-3
Apple & Eve Fruitables
Apple & Eve Fruitables is another juice choice that contains vegetables. This tasty fruit and veggie blend comes in 6.75oz recyclable juice boxes. It contains 39% less sugar than its regular fruit blend Apple & Eve 100% Juice Variety Pack. With only 12 grams of sugar in the 6.75oz box, and no added sugar.
This blend contains juices from sweet potatoes, tomatoes, beets, purple carrots, and butternut squash along with fruit, making it a good source of vitamin C, A, and E. There is one combined serving of fruits and veggies per juice box.
This juice is a great choice if you are looking to keep the sugar content low and get some veggies in your child’s diet. The only drawback is some people feel that the vegetables in the juice take away from giving it the sweet taste you may be looking for in your juice.
Why We Love It
- Contains veggies
- No added sugar
- Source of vitamin C, A, E
- 1 combined serving of fruits and veggies
- Low sugar (12 grams in 6.75oz box)
What’s Missing
- Veggies may take away from the sweet taste
- Larger size may not be appropriate for children ages 1-3
Capri Sun Pacific Cooler
The Capri Sun Pacific Cooler is a very tasty juice that comes in 6oz pouches in a great flavor. This juice does have less sugar than most other 6oz size juices, but it has added sugar which is unlike most of our recommended juices.
Its total sugar content is 13 grams in its 6oz size, and 11 of the 13 grams are added sugar. Added sugar is not as healthy for kids as natural sugar is. Also, because this juice is only 10% juice, it is not a source of vitamin C, unlike some other juices. Despite what it is missing, this juice might be one of the best tasting juices on our list.
Why We Love It
- Tastes great
- Less sugar than most other 6oz juices, even though it is added sugar
- Easy to store pouch
What’s Missing
- Contains added sugar
- Not a source of vitamin C
- Only 10% juice
- Larger size may not be appropriate for children ages 1-3
Capri Sun 100% Juice Fruit Punch
Capri Sun 100% Juice Fruit Punch is another yummy 100% juice option. This well-known brand has created a 100% juice version of their classic fruit punch, meaning it has no added sugar. This juice comes in 6oz pouches with each pouch containing 20 grams of sugar.
This amount of sugar is more than most of our other recommended 6oz juice pouches, but there are no complaints about taste with this choice. Although it does contain some potassium, it is not a source of vitamin C, unlike most other 100% juice choices on our list.
Why We Love It
- Tastes great
- Easy to store pouch
- 100% juice
- No added sugar
What’s Missing
- Not a source of vitamin C
- More sugar than most other brands (20 grams of sugar in 6oz pouch)
- Larger size may not be appropriate for children ages 1-3
Best Low Sugar Juice for Kids
Apple & Eve Fruitables contains only 1 gram of natural sugar which is low due to the fact that they add water to the mix, making it taste more like flavored water, while good2grow Strawberry Kiwi and Tropical Fruit Medley is a mix of fruit and veggies with 13 grams of natural sugar.
Apple & Eve Fruitables
The Rethink Kids Juice Splash is a unique juice that only has 1 gram of sugar. Similar to our favorite Honest Kids Organic Juice Drink it is water mixed with juice, but this one has even less juice, meaning less sugar. This drink comes in 6.75oz recyclable boxes with straws and offers fun and unique flavors such as kiwi strawberry, fruit punch, strawberry lemonade, and watermelon.
This is our lowest sugar recommendation, but because of the lower sugar, the taste may be affected. It does not taste as sweet as other juices, so if your child is used to a sweeter juice, they may reject this one. On the other hand, because water is the recommended beverage for kids, it’s a great way to get them to stay hydrated with water but with a little added flavor. If you are just starting out introducing juice in your children’s diet, this is a great place to start as they won’t be accustomed to the extra sweet flavor of some juices.
Why We Love It
- Only 1 g of sugar
- No added sugar
- USDA organic
- Comes in a recyclable box
- Comes in unique flavors such as kiwi strawberry, fruit punch, strawberry lemonade, and watermelon
What’s Missing
- It is more like a flavored water than a juice, so it does not taste as sweet as most juices.
- Not a source of vitamin c or other nutrients because of low juice content
good2grow Strawberry Kiwi and Tropical Fruit Medley
The good2grow Strawberry Kiwi and Tropical Fruit Medley is a great refill choice for the good2grow brand that we recommend. Once you have your character tops, you can get refill bottles of any good2grow brand juice.
What sets this juice apart from others, is that it is a fruit and veggie blend. These flavors combine carrot, beet, and apple juices for a tasty juice that contains veggies. Some kids have a hard time eating vegetables, so the idea of being able to get some veggies in through juice is appealing.
With the added veggies, this juice becomes a source of vitamin A and E along with the usual vitamin C. It is 1 combined serving of fruits and veggies. No added sugar is in this juice, and it contains just 13 grams of natural sugar in its 6oz size, which is less than its fruit only apple flavor.
Why We Love It
- Contains veggies
- No added sugar
- Source of vitamin C, A, E
- 1 combined serving of fruits and veggies
- Bottle is refillable, recyclable, and BPA free
- Meant to be used with spill-proof fun character tops
- Combines carrot, beet, and apple juices for a great flavor
What’s Missing
- Larger than boxes or pouches, may not be as easy to pack away or store
- Need to have character tops in order to use refill packs with a straw
- Larger size may not be appropriate for children ages 1-3
Best Organic Juice for Kids
Apple & Eve Sesame Street Organics Juice Box
The Apple & Eve Sesame Street Organics Juice Box is another great juice choice. This is a great juice choice for toddlers because it comes in small 4.23oz recyclable boxes with fun Sesame Street characters on them. It has more sugar than the Honest brand, but again it is all-natural sugar, no added sugar. The fact that it is 100% juice, no water, does give it a sweeter taste than some others. This product comes in three tasty flavors, apple, fruit punch, and berry.
This juice is a good source of vitamin C and contains 1.5 servings of non-GMO fruit. It is also USDA certified organic. If your child doesn’t love to eat fruit, this can help provide some of those missing nutrients. Apple & Eve pride themselves on using all peanut-free machinery, so no need to worry if your child has an allergy.
Some buyers don’t love the small size of the juice box, but the AAP recommends that juice intake should be limited to 4oz daily for children ages 1-3, so it’s the perfect size for kids that age.
Why We Love It
- No added sugar
- USDA Certified Organic
- 100% Juice
- Comes in a recyclable box that is easy to hold for small children
- 70% daily value of vitamin C
- Fun sesame street characters
- 1.5 servings of non-GMO fruit
- Three tasty flavors, apple, fruit punch, berry
- Comes in a smaller 4oz box (appropriate amount for toddlers)
What’s Missing
- Smaller than other juice boxes (could be a pro or a con)
- More sugar than some other brands (13 grams of sugar per box)
Best Apple Juice for Kids
The Honest Kids Appley Ever After 6.75 oz juice box contains 70% of daily Vitamin C with 9 grams of natural sugar, however, the Mott’s For Tots 6.75 oz juice contains 100% of Vitamin C, as well as Vitamin A & E, with 12 grams of natural sugar.
Honest Kids Appley Ever After
The Honest Kids Appley Ever After is the same brand as our favorite Honest Kids Organic Juice Drink
Motts for Tots
but this product is different because it comes in a little bit larger 6.75oz pouches. It has all the same benefits as the other Honest product, including low sugar but great taste, but it comes in an easy to store pouch. Some parents like pouches better because they are flatter, easier to store, and contain more juice. This apple flavor is the most popular of Honest’s flavors.
Why We Love It
- No added sugar
- Only 9 grams natural of sugar (about 1/2 of most kids juices)
- USDA Certified Organic
- Tastes great
- 70% daily value of vitamin C
- Easy to store pouch
What’s Missing
- Less flavor than some other juices because of water content
- Some say the hole punch is difficult
- Larger size may not be appropriate for children ages 1-3
Apple & Eve 100% Juice Variety Pack
The Apple & Eve 100% Juice Variety Pack is the same brand as our recommended Apple & Eve Sesame Street Organics Juice Box but is geared towards older children. It does not have the characters on it and comes in a larger 6.75oz size. This juice provides the same great taste in the same apple, berry, and fruit punch flavors.
Just like the brand’s other product, it comes in a recyclable juice box with a straw and provides 1.5 servings of non-GMO fruit. The sugar content is a bit higher at 20 grams of sugar, but that is due to its larger size. No added sugar is in this juice, and it provides a good source of vitamin C.
The only aspect that makes it different from the Apple & Eve Sesame Street Organics Juice Box besides its size, is that it is not organic, so that might be something to consider if organic is important to you.
Why We Love It
- No added sugar
- 100% Juice
- Comes in a recyclable box
- 70% daily value of vitamin C
- 1.5 servings of non-GMO fruit
- Three tasty flavors, apple, fruit punch, berry
What’s Missing
- More sugar than other brands (20 grams of sugar per box)
- Larger size may not be appropriate for children ages 1-3
good2grow 100% Apple Juice
The good2grow 100% Apple Juice is another juice that we love. This juice is special because it comes with reusable spill-proof character tops. This product shows Paw Patrol characters, but the good2grow brand offers many character caps to collect including Disney and Marvel characters.
This cap is not only fun for your children, but also great for the environment because it is reusable. Juice boxes and pouches come with plastic straws that need to be thrown out after each use. It also comes in a plastic bottle that is recyclable and can be refilled.
The spill-proof cap is a favorite for parents because they don’t have to worry about juice spilling if given on the go. If you are looking for a spill-proof sippy cup for milk or water, check out our recommendations here.
This is another juice that has no added sugar. There are 18 grams of natural sugar in the 6oz size, which is comparable or less than some other juice brands with 6oz sizes.
It provides 60% of the daily value of vitamin C, which is a tad smaller than other brands, and 3/4 cup of fruit per serving, which is great but also less than the Apple & Eve 100% Juice Variety Pack. This apple flavor is a favorite and tastes very good.
Why We Love It
- Spill-proof, reusable paw patrol character tops
- No added sugar
- 60% daily value of vitamin C
- 3/4 cup of fruit per serving
- Bottle is refillable, recyclable, and BPA free
- 100% juice
- Tasty apple flavor
What’s Missing
- Larger than boxes or pouches, may not be as easy to pack away or store
- More sugar than some other brands (18 grams in 6oz)
- Larger size may not be appropriate for children ages 1-3
- Comes in smaller amounts (only 6 in a pack)
Juicy Juice Variety Pack
The Juicy Juice Variety 32-Pack is a great option from the classic Juicy Juice brand. This pack contains Apple, Grape, Fruit Punch, and Orange-Tangerine. These four delicious flavors come in 4.23oz size recyclable boxes with straws that are the perfect size and amount for young children.
There are 14 grams of added sugar in the 4.23oz size box, which is a bit more than some other brands, but the juice is still 100% juice with no added sugar.
This product is comparable to the Apple & Eve Sesame Street Organics Juice Box because it also comes in a small size box that is great for toddlers. It is not organic like the Apple & Eve brand, and it has a tad more sugar and a bit less vitamin C, but it comes in four flavors rather than three.
Similar to the Apple & Eve brand, some buyers don’t love the small size but as mentioned before, the AAP recommends that juice intake should be limited to 4oz daily for children ages 1-3, so it’s the perfect size for that age.
Why We Love It
- Four different flavors (apple, grape, fruit punch, and orange-tangerine)
- Comes in a recyclable box
- 100% Juice
- No added sugar
- 60% daily value of vitamin C
- Comes in a smaller 4oz box (appropriate amount for toddlers)
What’s Missing
- More sugar than some other brands (14 grams of sugar in 4oz box)
- Smaller than other juice boxes (could be a pro or a con)
Motts for Tots
Mott’s For Tots is a great another great choice that is made specifically for kids. The best part about this juice is that it contains 100% of the daily value of vitamin C and is also a source of vitamin A and E. This juice comes in 6.75oz boxes and contains 12 grams of sugar, which is a lot less sugar than most other juice boxes of this size.
Motts does not specify whether there is added sugar in the juice, but it does not have added artificial sweeteners. Similar to many of our other favorites, it is a mix of water and juice which allows for the lower sugar content but may take away from a sweeter taste.
Why We Love It
- 100% daily value of vitamin C
- Also contains vitamin A and E
- Comes in a recyclable box
- Less sugar than other juice boxes its size (12 grams in 6.75oz box)
What’s Missing
- May contain added sugar (Motts does not specify)
- Less flavor than some other juices due to water content
- Comes in a small package, only 8 per pack
- Larger size may not be appropriate for children ages 1-3
Best Orange Juice for Kids
Tropicana Orange Juice, 10 Ounce (Pack of 24)
The Tropicana Orange Juice, 10 Ounce (Pack of 24) is the only orange juice on the list. This orange juice is a great source of vitamin C and potassium. Tropicana is a brand that many adults drink, but Tropicana orange juice is also good for kids.
It is 100% juice and contains no added sugar. There are 28 grams of sugar in a 10oz bottle. This seems like a lot, but it is comparable to most of our other 100% juice recommendations when you consider the larger size.
You can also buy this Tropicana juice in other flavors such as cranberry and grapefruit, which are types of juices that our other favorite brands do not offer. This juice is sold in larger size bottles, which means that you might want to pour it into a cup for your child. (Check out our favorite sippy cups here.)
You can choose from 10 oz size bottles as pictured, or a larger 15.2oz bottle and even a 32oz size. With these larger sizes, you can even share with your child or split it between two kids. These recyclable and reusable bottles are also a more sustainable option.
Why We Love It
- Tastes great
- Different flavors such as orange, grapefruit, and cranberry
- Shareable size
- 100% juice
- No added sugar
- Recyclable and reusable bottle
- 70% daily value of vitamin C
- Good source of potassium
What’s Missing
- More sugar than some other brands (28 grams of sugar in 10oz bottle)
- Does not come in small sizes
- Bottle is not kid-friendly or easy to store
Comparing the Best Juice for Kids
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| good2grow Strawberry Kiwi and Tropical Fruit Medley | 9.7 | 9.6 | 39.99 |
| Juicy Juice Variety Pack | 6.3 | 9.0 | 29.99 |
| Apple & Eve Sesame Street Organics Juice Box | 6.9 | 9.4 | 29.14 |
| Honest Kids Organic Juice Drink | 7.8 | 9.2 | 28.80 |
| Apple & Eve 100% Juice Variety Pack | 9.1 | 9.4 | 25.16 |
| Motts for Tots | 9.0 | 9.4 | 21.16 |
| Tropicana Orange Juice, 10 Ounce (Pack of 24) | 9.9 | 9.2 | 17.79 |
| Capri Sun 100% Juice Fruit Punch | 9.9 | 9.6 | 15.96 |
| Honest Kids Appley Ever After | 9.9 | 9.0 | 15.88 |
| Capri Sun Pacific Cooler | 9.9 | 9.6 | 8.78 |
| Apple & Eve Fruitables | 6.6 | 9.4 | 8.68 |
| Apple & Eve Fruitables | 3.9 | 8.6 | - |
| good2grow 100% Apple Juice | 5.3 | 9.4 | - |
How We Selected Juice For Kids
When looking into the best juices for kids, we looked at a variety of criteria. Sugar content is one of the biggest worries for parents when it comes to juice, so we made sure to look into how much sugar the juice had. Juice tends to vary a lot in size and type of container offered, so that was another aspect we considered. Last, we had to keep in mind the taste and flavors because many people look for taste when it comes to juice.
Sugar content
The amount of sugar is probably the aspect of juice that is most discussed. Many parents decide not to offer juice to their children because of its sugar content. It is recommended by the AAP that children have no added sugar before age 2, and it is recommended for it to be limited after that. Luckily, almost all of our best juices have 0 grams of added sugar, and many are low in natural sugar as well.
Juices that have more sugar tend to taste better, and also tend to have more vitamin C because of the natural juice. There are also juices that are juice mixed with water in order to keep the sugar content down, but these may taste more like flavored water than juice. Our favorite Honest Kids Organic Juice Drink is great because it has low sugar (only 9 grams), still contains vitamin C, and its taste is not compromised.
Taste
Taste is something that is usually an individual decision, but we tried our best to keep the taste in mind when choosing the best juices. Although all of the juices we recommended are tasty, some may have more flavor than others. This is sometimes based on sugar content, as we discussed above.
Lower sugar drinks are usually a mix of juice and water, so the juice may taste more watered down and have less flavor. On the other hand, some children may enjoy less sweet juice, so it’s really a personal decision.
Choice of flavors
Juice can come in a variety of different flavors. Apple seems to be the most popular flavor, followed by fruit punch. Some of our favorite juices come in a variety pack where you can pick from three to four different flavors.
Having a variety to choose from can be great because you can have different flavors on different days, or if you find out you don’t really love one of the flavors, you don’t waste a whole pack on it. We also found juices that come in just one great flavor, in case you just want to stick with a favorite. Sometimes even if the juice doesn’t come in a variety pack, Amazon will offer other flavors to choose from for a single flavor pack.
Size
Juice for kids tends to come in 2 different sizes, around 4oz and around 6oz. We have recommended juices of both 4oz and 6oz sizes, and even found the Apple & Eve brand that comes in both sizes. Most juices come in 6oz, but a 4oz size can be great for toddlers or younger children because the AAP recommends that juice intake should be limited to 4oz daily for children ages 1-3 and 4oz-6oz per day for ages 4-6.
Type of container
When you think about juice, you might picture a juice box, but juice comes in a variety of different containers nowadays. Most of the recommended juices come in boxes or pouches, but the good2grow 100% Apple Juice brand comes in a reusable plastic bottle with a reusable spill-proof character straw top.
We considered the container when it came to our recommendations because it can make a difference. Boxes and bottles are recyclable, while the pouches are not. If recycling is important to you, this may influence your choice.
Boxes tend to be easier to hold for younger children, so if you are buying for a toddler, you might want to go with a box. Pouches are thin and easy to store, so if you are looking for something that packs away easily, you might want to go with a pouch.
The appeal of the container of the good2grow 100% Apple Juice is something that puts it high up on our list. The fun spill-proof reusable character straws are a special touch that other juices do not have.
FAQs – Juice For Kids
How much juice should my child drink?
Juice is not recommended for children under age 1. For children ages 1-3, the recommended limit is 4oz per day. That moves up to 4oz-6oz per day from ages 4-6, and from ages 7-18, 8oz is the recommended limit. These recommendations are based on the amount of sugar that many juices contain.
Will juice ruin my child’s teeth?
Too much sugar can cause tooth decay, but if you are choosing a lower sugar juice and limiting the amount, your child’s teeth should be fine. Another way to prevent decay is to serve the juice all at one time instead of sips throughout the day, to reduce the teeth’s exposure to the sugar. Also, it is not recommended to serve juice at bedtime.
What is the best drink for a child?
The best drink for children is water and milk. Juice can also be a good drink if they consume within the recommended amount and avoid added sugar. Juice is a much better choice than other sugary drinks such as soda.
Is juice good for kids?
Juice can be a healthy part of a child’s well-balanced diet if they consume the recommended amount and avoid added sugar. Most juices contain vitamin C which is a healthy nutrient.
Can juice help relieve constipation?
Yes, juices that contain sorbitol can help relieve constipation. Apple, prune, and pear juices contain the most sorbitol and might be the most effective. Many doctors recommend serving a small amount of one of these types of juice to your child if they are struggling with constipation.
Is juice a good substitute for fruit?
Although there are some nutrients from the fruit that can be passed into the juice, it is not a replacement for whole fruit.
What type of juice is healthiest?
In regards to nutrients and how they can help your body, the healthiest juices are cranberry, tomato, beet, apple, and prune juice. Generally, apple is one of the most preferred flavors. This is might be why apple tends to be one of the more popular flavors in juices on our list.
