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If you spend a lot of time at Starbucks, it is easy to end up ordering for your child at the same time you get your own, especially when one stop is easier than two.
So what are the best Starbucks drinks for kids?
These 15 Starbucks drinks for kids are the ones I keep coming back to when I want something familiar, manageable, and not too coffee-forward.
Best Starbucks drinks for kids (Top 13 orders to try)
1. Lemonade
There are few things my little ones enjoy more on a hot day than Starbucks’ classic Lemonade.
Starbucks has lots of great kid-friendly options, including various Refreshers, such as the Strawberry Acai Lemonade.
My older nieces and nephews usually reach for the Frozen Pineapple Passionfruit Lemonade, but I keep coming back to the plain classic because it tastes cleaner and less candy-sweet to me.
It makes a solid cold drink for kids, just skip the iced tea lemonade since that one does contain caffeine.
A tall classic Lemonade contains 80 calories and 9 grams of sugar, which keeps it pretty light for a warm-weather drink.
2. Hot Chocolate
When my kids want something warm and familiar, I usually pick up Starbucks' Signature Hot Chocolate. The cocoa smell hits first, and that alone makes it feel comforting.
These hot chocolate drinks are one of the best caffeine-free beverages for kids – they’re tasty, sweet, and delicious!
We tend to order it on cold afternoons when everyone wants something cozy. The sweetness is part of the appeal, but it does not feel fussy. A kid-sized Hot Chocolate contains 190 calories and 18 grams of sugar, so it definitely leans dessert-like.
Tips For Even Tastier Drinks
- Got a little Nutella lover in the family? Ask for a pump or two of hazelnut syrup to be added for a match made in chocolatey heaven.
- Got some impatient little ones? Ask for a couple of ice cubes to be added to get it to cool down faster.
3. White Hot Chocolate
When I want a small change, my children usually pick White Hot Chocolate. It feels a little fancier to them than regular hot chocolate, and the white chocolate version reads a little richer and softer.
My little ones go absolutely ham trying to put as much cinnamon or cocoa powder on top as they can. We often have to drag them away to avoid reviving the cinnamon challenge!
It is warm, sweet, and easy for kids to drink. A kid-sized serving of White Hot Chocolate contains 200 calories and 23 grams of sugar.
Tips For Even Tastier Drinks
- Ask for a pump or two of peppermint syrup for the perfect seasonal treat.
- Ask for a pump or two of mocha syrup for an even chocolatier dream.
4. Caramel Apple Spice
My oldest nephew has always loved apples, so this Caramel Apple Spice from Starbucks became one of the drinks he asks for most often when we go out.
I usually have it topped with a little whipped cream and cinnamon when we want to make it feel special. After ordering it a few times, it turned into a small tradition, and the cinnamon gives the drink a bit more warmth.
It’s like a sippable version of a warm slice of apple pie with a dollop of whipped cream on top – yum!
A kids' serving of Caramel Apple Spice contains 220 calories and 36 grams of sugar.
5. Iced Strawberry Milk
Starbucks' version of strawberry milk also works as a kid-friendly Frappuccino-style treat, especially when you want something more milkshake-like than icy.
It is basically milk blended with ice and strawberry puree, then finished with whipped cream on top.
It’s creamy, cool, and fruity – perfect for warm spring days!
My kids go through strawberry milk fast, so this is an easy choice for them. The strawberry flavor comes through before the dairy does, which keeps it from feeling plain. This dessert in a cup contains 250 calories and 32 grams of sugar per Tall serving.
Tips For Even Tastier Drinks
Tips For Even Tastier Drinks
- Ask for extra strawberry puree and freeze dried strawberries on top to up the strawberry goodness.
6. Steamers
There are quite a few Steamers on the Starbucks menu, and I reach for them when I want something warm that is milkier than chocolate or syrup-heavy drinks.
The first thing I notice with these drinks is the texture. Steamed milk makes them smooth and creamy, and that softer feel is often easier for younger kids than anything with a stronger syrup flavor.
My nieces and nephews often have warm milk and honey before bed, so these are our go-tos when they’ve had a bad day.
Some of the steamed milk drinks available to choose from include Cinnamon Dolce Creme, Steamed Vanilla Milk Creme, and Pistachio Creme.
A kid-sized Steamer contains between 100-220 calories and 10-25 grams of sugar.
7. Creme Frappuccinos
When my little ones were younger, they wanted to order a Frappuccino just like me.
That is when I started paying more attention to the Creme Frappe options, including Vanilla Bean Creme, Caramel Ribbon Crunch Creme, and Chocolate Cookie Crumble Creme, especially when they want dessert in a cup more than a coffee shop drink.
The hot ticket for most of my nieces and nephews is the Chocolate Cookie Crumble Creme, but my fave is the Matcha Creme.
Those flavors are usually the easiest sell for kids because they already sound like dessert.
A Tall Creme Frappuccino tends to contain between 210-330 calories and 28-43 grams of sugar.
8. Blended Strawberry Lemonade
For something that tastes like lemonade with a smoothie-like consistency, Starbucks offers a Blended Strawberry Lemonade. It lands somewhere between a frozen lemonade and a berry drink.
We are a house of strawberry lovers, so of course my little ones adore the addition of strawberry puree to lemonade. It tastes like a fruity ice pop!
The strawberry gives it a sweet edge, but the lemonade keeps it bright. If a child likes sweet-and-sour snacks, this usually makes sense fast.
I would rather hand over one of these than a bright slushie that tastes mostly like syrup.
A Blended Strawberry Lemonade typically contains 130 calories and 31 grams of sugar.
9. Purple Drink
The purple drink is a popular choice with children, especially pre-teens and teenagers. I heard about it plenty once it started making the rounds at school, and the color does a lot of the work before the flavor even matters.
The Violet Drink was originally made with the Very Berry Hibiscus tea, which has been discontinued, so some families look for a similar alternative. That change pushed a lot of people toward copycat versions.
It’s super refreshing and flavorful, contains good-for-you ingredients like fruit and coconut milk, and is yet another kid-friendly option on the menu.
It is one of those drinks that feels especially appealing on a hot day, and kids usually notice the color before anything else.
Ask Barista For: A Tall Dragon Drink Refresher with coconut milk on ice and blackberries on top.
10. Babyccino
Many people don’t know about the babyccino because it’s a secret menu item designed specifically with children in mind.
It is basically a cappuccino-style drink without the espresso, so it stays in the milk-and-foam category rather than feeling like coffee.
What is left is frothed milk, which my nieces and nephews liked when they were toddlers. It is the sort of drink toddlers sip slowly because the foam feels like a treat. You can even add a little Starbucks whipped cream!
A Babyccino typically contains 100 calories and 10 grams of sugar.
Ask Barista For: A kid-sized serving of steamed milk with extra foam and cinnamon or cocoa powder on top.
11. Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk
For children who like maple and brown sugar oatmeal, this Iced Brown Sugar Starbucks drink made with oatmilk is an easy one to point to.
It consists of decaf blonde espresso, steamed milk with brown sugar syrup, and a little cinnamon. The oatmilk gives it a softer, slightly fuller feel, and the cinnamon keeps the sweetness from feeling flat.
It’s like eating oatmeal on the go in beverage form!
I order this one regularly, and my older kids like that it feels a little grown-up without tasting harsh. It gives you more spice and sweetness than a plain milk drink, but it still stops short of bitter.
A Tall Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk contains 100 calories and 9 grams of sugar.
12. Vanilla Bean Frappuccino
Sometimes my little ones just want to keep it simple with the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino.
A couple of my kids prefer vanilla milkshakes, so this is the drink that usually makes sense when they want something familiar rather than fruity, and it does not ask much from the person drinking it.
The vanilla milk combination keeps it smooth and familiar, which is part of why it works so well for kids who do not want a strong coffee flavor.
This is a great base of some creative customizations or just tasty on its own – let your kids get creative and see what they make!
A kid size Vanilla Bean Frappuccino contains 260 calories and 35 grams of sugar.
Tips For Even Tastier Drinks
- Get creative with your toppings! Ask for java chips, cookie crumble, or cold foam to shake up your frapp.
13. Horizons Boxed Chocolate Milk
What kid does not love chocolate milk?
When I am in a rush between errands or have a picky niece with me, the Horizon boxed chocolate milk has come in handy more times than I can count, especially when I do not have time for something more involved.
It’s a safe choice, but it’s also good for growing little ones because it contains essential vitamins and nutrients.
It is an easy grab-and-go option, and I have leaned on it during more than one long road trip.
A Horizon Boxed Chocolate Milk contains 150 calories and 22 grams of sugar.
Starbucks cup sizes for kids (Which should you get?)
A lot of people ask, “ Does Starbucks have a kid cup size ?” The good news is that they do have this option for people ordering beverages for their children.
The size for a kid's cup of any hot beverage is 8 ounces, and the size for a kid's cup of any cold beverage is 12 ounces.
Which size you choose depends on your child's age and how much they normally drink. For toddlers, these kid sizes are usually enough.
If you're buying Starbucks drinks for a tween or teen, I usually move up to a different size, such as a Grande (16 ounces).
FAQs
What are some tips for ordering kids’ drinks at Starbucks?
When I order Starbucks drinks for kids, I usually ask for fewer pumps or sugar-free syrup if the drink has it, and I ask for hot drinks to be served at a kid-friendly temperature. That matters more than people think when the drink is meant to feel like a treat, not a sugar rush.
Is Starbucks pink drink kid-friendly?
The pink drink from Starbucks is another popular pick for kids, and its gentle flavor usually feels approachable. It is also made with coconut milk and real fruit, which helps explain why so many people treat it like an easier swap for a coffee drink.
Can a 10-year-old drink Starbucks coffee?
Children between the ages of 10 and 12 can have around 85 mg of caffeine per day. While it’s completely up to you as the parent, some children may be fine with a small cup of coffee.
Conclusion - Perfect for your little ones!
After trying these drinks, it gets easier to find something for a child without defaulting to the same plain order every time.
Between Starbucks cold drinks for kids and the warm options, there are plenty of drinks to choose from.
