"I remember my first Starbucks experience vividly. Being a little kid, I was scared of caffeine and overwhelmed with choices. I kept asking the older kids what I should order. I kept wondering, “Are there Starbucks drinks for kids?”
Your kids will likely end up at a Starbucks at some point. Whether it’s with friends, tagging along with mom for a morning latte, or grabbing a drink during a Target run. So wondering if there are in fact kid-friendly Starbucks options makes sense. The short, exciting answer is yes there are plenty of non-caffeinated Starbucks drinks!
Several drinks for kids exist at Starbucks that they will love and will make your coffee run even more exciting all around. From creamy steamers to fruity refreshers, Starbucks has a wide selection of drinks for kids that cater to younger taste buds without the caffeine.
Below, we’re sharing 16 of the best Starbucks drinks for kids, so they can love the coffee run as much as you do.
The Best Kid-Friendly Starbucks Drinks
1. Steamed Vanilla Milk, or Vanilla Steamer
The Vanilla Steamer is a classic choice for kids at any coffee shop, and Starbucks is no exception. Just ask for a steamed milk with one to two pumps of vanilla syrup. You’ll have a sweetly satisfied little one.
Starbucks can make steamers with other flavors of syrup, like caramel. But, the vanilla option is my personal favorite. You can even swap out the 2% milk for coconut milk, oat milk, or almond milk.
2. Blended Strawberry Lemonade
This drink is practically summertime in a cup. Starbucks’s Blended Strawberry Lemonade is made with caffeine-free lemonade, strawberry puree, and blended ice. It ends up feeling like you are drinking a slushee. Zesty, sweet, sour, and the perfect treat for strawberry season.
3. Caramel Apple Spice
The Caramel Apple Spice drink from Starbucks dominated my late elementary and early middle school years. I have fond memories of taking my $5 into the Starbucks by my school on a chilly day. I asked for a Grande Caramel Apple Spice, and felt extremely grown up while doing so.
This magical drink is concocted with steamed apple juice, cinnamon syrup, whipped cream, and a drizzle of caramel. This is basically a caramel apple in a beverage—in other words, it is perfect.
4. Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk
The Iced Brown Shaken Espresso has become a Starbucks cult favorite. But, did you know your little one can now hop on the bandwagon with a caffeine-free version?
For children who enjoy maple and brown sugar oatmeal, this drink made with oat milk is a top-rated choice. It consists of decaf blonde espresso, steamed milk, brown sugar syrup, and a bit of cinnamon to take it to the next level. This is like a tasty bowl of oatmeal on-the-go in beverage form!
5. Strawberry Créme Frappuccino
Sure, the Strawberry Créme Frappuccino may effectively be ice cream. But, it sure is a convenient option for a strawberry lover with a sweet tooth. This Frappuccino includes blended strawberry puree, ice, and milk with whipped cream on top. This will be a huge hit on a hot summer day after a trip to the pool or the park.
6. Pumpkin Spice Créme
This is a PSA: loving fall isn’t just for adults. From pumpkin patches to corn mazes and cozy sweaters, little ones love getting in the fall spirit just as much as we do. However, they sadly have to miss out on one crucial part of the autumnal experience, this of course being the PSL.
Luckily, the Pumpkin Spice Créme fixes this conundrum. Made of 2% milk, four pumps of pumpkin sauce, pumpkin spice topping and whipped cream. Making it the autumn coffee version of a virgin piña colada.
7. Double Chocolaty Chip Créme Frappuccino
Ah, the chocolate Frappuccino. The fuel of many late nights as a 16-year-old trying to keep up with my chemistry homework. But also the perfect non-caffeinated option for your little one.
Créme Frappuccinos are made without caffeine, and this version is made of whole milk, three Frappuccino chips, three pumps of mocha sauce, ice, whipped cream, and a mocha drizzle. Yes, it’s a sugar-filled treat, so it’s definitely not one to consume near bedtime.
8. Babyccino
For the littlest of little ones, the Babyccino is the best option on the Starbucks menu. Although this drink is not officially on the menu, it’s easy to order. Just ask for a short size of steamed milk with extra foam. The tiny drink will be an amazing pick-me-up for an eager toddler who wants to be included at the Starbucks drive-thru.
9. Strawberry Cheesecake Frappuccino
If you’re looking to get your kid a treat at Starbucks, look no further than this TikTok creation. Ask for a Strawberry Créme Frappuccino with two scoops of vanilla powder, three pumps of white mocha, and two pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup.
You’ll get a frozen strawberry drink that tastes exactly like a cheesecake. This is the perfect order after a tough day at school or celebrating a game or recital. You can order one for yourself, too.
10. Hot Chocolate
The tried-and-true decaf coffee shop classic: hot chocolate. You can’t go wrong with this hot drinks favorite. On cold days, this is the perfect treat for your little ones on the way home from school or on a snowy weekend morning. Starbucks’ hot chocolates are made of steamed 2% milk with two pumps of mocha sauce, whipped cream, and a drizzle of mocha on top.
The kids versions are 8oz, so there is no need to worry about the chocolate making anyone bounce off the walls. Order a classic one or a white hot chocolate for something special! Pro tip: if you’re worried about it being too hot, ask them to make it at “kids’ temp.”
11. Orange Mango Smoothie
Although Starbucks may not be your first thought for smoothies, the orange mango smoothie is fantastic for kids looking for a cold, sweet drink. This option is made of a blended banana, two scoops of protein powder, a splash of 2% milk, and orange mango puree. The puree is the only flavoring ingredient, making this drink one of the healthier options on the Starbucks smoothie menu. Parents and kiddos alike love this drink.
12. Vanilla Bean Frappuccino
This is a classic Starbucks staple that any kid will love. Keep it simple with the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino. This kid-friendly beverage consists of vanilla bean, milk, vanilla syrup, and ice with some whipped cream added to the top for an extra sweet touch. The steamed vanilla milk combination makes this a tasty beverage that’s just as good as a vanilla milkshake.
13. Horizon Boxed Chocolate Milks
Sometimes, sticking to the simple things that you can just grab right off the shelf is exactly what you need. Starbucks has sold the creamy, delicious Horizon Boxed Chocolate Milks for as long as we can remember.
This is the perfect option for a pickier little one. Especially, if you have multiple kids who want to get something but want everyone to be satisfied regardless of their preferences. What kid doesn’t love chocolate milk?
14. Iced Strawberry Milk
For me, before there was coffee there was flavored milk. I used to love blending my milk with chocolate syrup to make an extra special chocolate milk. But on those special days, someone would bring home strawberry syrup and my concoction would be even more delectable.
I like to think of Starbucks’ Iced Strawberry Milk as an elevated version of this treat for kids. If a simple ingredient is what you’re looking for, this is it. The only ingredients are ice, milk, and strawberry puree. You can have it made with any type of milk you like.
15. Purple Drink
We’ve all heard about the famous pink drink, but now its the purple drink’s time to shine. This violet beverage contains passion iced tea with soy milk (or any milk of your choice), blackberries, blueberries, and some vanilla syrup. Refreshing and flavorful, it contains some nutritious ingredients like the herbal iced tea and berries. Consider it another kid-friendly option perfect for a hot summer’s day (or anytime!).
16. Chai Créme Frappuccino
Has your older kid expressed interest in trying coffee? It happens to the best of us and it’s a part of growing up. Ease them into the experience (the first time I tried coffee was a nearly transcendent experience, which was probably not for the best in the long term) by letting them test out one of the most delicious creme Frappuccinos, the Chai Créme Frappuccino.
Compared to a latte’s 150mg of caffeine, this drink has 40mg. That’s less than the 55mg in a can of Mountain Dew! It’s a great way to introduce your older kid to coffee without jumping in headfirst.
Frequently Asked Questions About Starbucks Drinks for Kids
1. Are Starbucks drinks safe for kids?
Yes, Starbucks offers a variety of kid-friendly options with low or no caffeine, perfect for children to enjoy in moderation.
2. What is the best Starbucks drink for young children?
Popular choices for young kids include warm milk-based options like the Vanilla Steamer and Iced Passion Tango Tea for a caffeine-free cold drink.
3. Are there low-sugar Starbucks drinks for kids?
Yes, drinks like the Iced Passion Tango Tea and Mint Majesty Herbal Tea are naturally low in sugar, and you can ask to reduce syrups or sweeteners in others.
4. Can you customize Starbucks drinks for kids?
Absolutely! Baristas can adjust ingredients to reduce sweetness or eliminate caffeine, making drinks suitable for younger taste buds.
Emma Ginsberg, Editorial & Podcast Assistant
Emma is a writer, editor, and podcast producer who has been creating at The Everygirl since 2021. She writes for all sections on the site, assists with editing on narrative essay and opinion projects, and helps produce The Everygirl Podcast. You can listen to her with podcast host Josie Santi on the intros of The Everygirl Podcast and read her articles across the site.