You’re running late to drop the kids off, but you just can’t go without your Starbucks fix. But as soon as you pull into the drive-thru, you have one (or two, or three?) little voices in the backseat begging for their own Starbucks treats. But you definitely don’t want to feed into their already-rampant sugar addictions or subject them to tons of caffeine at young ages. What to order? We’ve made it easy with this list of 10 Starbucks drinks for kids you can quickly order.
Plus, you will have peace-of-mind that your choices are low in caffeine (or caffeine-free!) and low in sugar. Some of these modifications are so simple that you may even want to try them yourself. They taste so good, you won’t miss the extra sugar!
Starbucks Drinks for Kids [10 Kid-Friendly Options!]
One of my kids’ favorite things to do when we go to Starbucks is trying to earn bonus stars. Whether it’s Starbucks Challenges or their different games like the Starbucks Summer game and Starbucks for Life, it’s something fun and little to keep them entertained.
Vanilla Bean Frappuccino- The Classic Starbucks Drink for Kids
There are many different Frappuccino options out there, so not every frappe on the menu is guaranteed to be kid-friendly. But the vanilla bean frappe certainly is! This coffee-free blended beverage contains ice, the milk of your choice, crème Frappuccino syrup, vanilla bean powder, and whipped cream. Try adding a pump of mocha syrup for a chocolate spin. For a dessert-like spin on the basic crème Frappuccino, add a few pumps of strawberry syrup. With this add-in, you’ll have a Strawberries and Crème Frappe.
When you have got a little more time on your hands, you can whip up a vanilla bean frappuccino at home easily. Check out our recipe here!
Starbucks Kid’s Hot Chocolate
The classic hot chocolate is a go-to for kids everywhere; Starbucks offers a slight twist by adding mocha sauce and vanilla syrup to their hot chocolate. But if you want to treat your kids to an even fancier take on hot chocolate, opt for some “upgrades”. You can order a white hot chocolate, where white chocolate syrup is used for a unique, slightly sweeter flavor. Or for a more indulgent treat, offer the kiddos a caramel hot chocolate, where toffee nut and vanilla syrups are used to create a unique nutty flavor. The drink is topped with whipped cream and a caramel and sea salt topping. Yum! Just remember to order the hot chocolate at kid’s temp, so it is cool enough for them to drink.
Vanilla Steamer
For kids who don’t need all of the frills but still want a Starbucks treat, this drink is a wonderful option. A glorified glass of warm milk, the Vanilla Steamer is an 8 oz. cup of the milk of your choice. It is warmed and blended with a few pumps of vanilla syrup, which can be subbed for sugar-free syrup by request. A swirl of whipped cream and chocolate syrup makes this a decadent drink perfect for warming up on cooler days. Be sure to order it kid’s temp so the barista knows not to make the drink too hot!
Caramel Apple Spice
This drink is like the holidays in a cup- you might just want to order one for yourself! A delicious twist on hot apple cider, the caramel apple spice drink starts with a base of steamed apple juice. Then, it has 4 pumps of cinnamon syrup, whipped cream, and a caramel drizzle topping. Admittedly, this one is a bit high in sugar, so you could opt for sugar-free syrup, cut the whipped cream, and reduce the amount of cinnamon syrup. Or just go for the steamed apple juice for younger kids who won’t really know the difference!
Herbal Iced Tea
Any of Starbucks’ brewed herbal teas, like Peach Tranquility or Passion Tango, are great options for kids. Some of the tea blends such as the Iced Guava White Tea or Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte may have sweeteners or caffeine, so watch that if you are trying to minimize those stimulants for your children. The basic loose leaf teas can all be brewed into iced teas, and they typically don’t include added sugars, making them wonderful alternatives.
Kid’s Caramel Frappuccino
Turn a classic caramel Frappuccino into a kid-friendly treat. Simply ask for decaf, and sugar-free syrup to cut down on the sugar content. You can also cut the whipped cream and/or caramel drizzle. Make these simple swaps for almost any Frappuccino on the menu and you’ll be able to share your Starbucks obsession with the kids, guilt-free!
Purple Drink- A Twist on the Starbucks Pink Drink That’s Perfect for Kids
If the famous Pink Drink is a favorite of yours, recreate the colorful concoction for your kiddo with the Purple Drink. Unlike the Pink Drink, the Purple Drink is on the Starbucks secret menu. It is not caffeinated and can be made sugar-free to help prevent the inevitable sugar rush! This fancy refresher is actually a simple blend of Passion Tango Decaf Iced Tea, soy milk, vanilla syrup (sugar-free by request), and blackberries! Delicious and sophisticated enough for even the most discerning elementary-schooler.
Blended Fruit Lemonade
Most kids are all about the mouth-puckering sour flavors of sour candies and tart lemonade. If your little ones fall into this cavity-inducing category, they’ll love one of Starbucks’ blended fruit lemonades. Traditionally offered as a blended strawberry lemonade, you can sub in whatever flavor of syrup you think your kids would prefer- raspberry, mango, or peach, perhaps? Whatever fruit you choose, this ice-cold drink is reminiscent of a slushy and will be a hit during the dog days of summer. If you want to reduce the sugar content, you can ask for extra ice, and/or ask for the drink to be made with half water and half lemonade.
Iced Golden Ginger Drink
This Instagram-famous drink is best known for its summery hue and refreshing flavor, but did you know it is also a fabulous kid-friendly choice from the Starbucks menu? With coconut milk and turmeric, some of the ingredients aren’t actually too bad for you. Plus, there’s no caffeine, so you can be confident you aren’t creating a Starbucks addiction for your kiddos! If you’re watching the sugar content, though, you might want to ask for three pumps of syrup instead of four, or as for extra ice.
This is another drink we figured out how to replicate at home. Check it out!
Tea Latte- A Sophisticated Starbucks Drink for Kids
Though they sound fancy (which is probably exactly what your children want), tea lattes are nothing more than steeped tea with milk! But you don’t have to tell them that. Order a decaf tea latte over ice for a refreshing, “grown-up” drink. Best of all, this won’t send them through the roof with a crazy sugar or caffeine content.
To find more specific nutrition facts for these Starbucks drinks check out their website and App!
- Best Halloween Shows for Kids and Teens [2024’s Ultimate Watchlist!] - October 1, 2024
- Disney Oogie Boogie Bash 2024! Pro Tips You Need to Know - September 6, 2024
- The Best Southern California Halloween Attractions in 2024 - August 22, 2024
+ show Comments
- Hide Comments
add a comment