Should Kids Drink Coffee and Other Questions You Might Be Asking

default image by Sophie Kidd Carr | Updated on August 8th, 2022

Kids are beginning to consume coffee earlier and earlier, and parents are wondering if coffee is bad for their children.


Should kids drink coffee? Is caffeine bad for children? What are the effects of caffeine on kids, and what can parents do about it? More and more children are consuming coffee at earlier ages, leaving parents with a slew of questions. Crazy Coffee Craze has answers.

kid coffee

Should Kids Drink Coffee?

“Should kids drink coffee?” is a simple and broad question with a lot of intricacies and nuances. Kids is a far-reaching term with its general definition being “individuals under 18 years of age”; however, 18-year-old drinking coffee is very different than an 8-year-old drinking coffee.

Let’s take it by age…

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a set of guidelines for caffeine consumption in children.

  • Kids ages 4-6 can safely consume 45mg of coffee (about half a cup);
  • kids ages 7-9 can safely consume 62.5mg of coffee;
  • kids ages 10-12 can safely consume about 85mg of coffee,
  • and children 13 and over can safely consume 85-100mg of coffee. 

However, consumption of coffee in children is not recommended, especially under the age of 15. That being said, if your child takes a sip of your coffee once in a while, it isn’t the end of the world. 

Generally speaking, children’s coffee consumption issue is less about coffee and more about caffeine. Caffeine consumption can come in many forms and is the primary reason why parents are asking if kids should drink coffee. 

How Does Caffeine Affect Children?

Caffeine affects children differently than adults. It is important to remember that caffeine consumption is not limited to the consumption of coffee but also includes sodas, teas, candies, and gum, as well as blended or other specialty coffee drinks such as the Starbucks Frappuccino.

In particular, most children’s coffee drinks are specialty coffee drinks rather than a cup of simple drip coffee.

In addition to having unacceptable levels of caffeine, these items tend to be high in sugar content and unhealthy amounts of dairy ingredients. With all of these factors in mind, it is unsurprising that coffee is not recommended for children to consume regularly.

Excessive Calories and Fats

The amounts of dairy and sugar in coffee drinks that are marketed towards children are high. For example, the popular and delicious Starbucks Grande Caffe Vanilla Frappuccino (16oz) comes in at 400 calories, with 130 of those calories attributed to fats.

Of the fats present, 9g are saturated fats (an unhealthy addition to your diet) which takes up 45% of an adult’s allowed daily dose of saturated fats.

Effects of Caffeine on Blood Pressure in Children

According to US News Health, caffeine intake in children 8 to 9 years of age and ages 15 to 17 greatly affected their blood pressure. Caffeine drastically increases blood pressure in children of all ages. However, the effects were more prevalent in the adolescent group ages 15-17.

Effects of Caffeine on Heart Rate in Children

Once again, US News Health reports that, according to the study of the effects of caffeine on children, the heart rate in these two age groups was also greatly affected by the consumption of caffeine. Heart rates actually decreased when children consumed lower levels of caffeine. When the caffeine consumption level was increased, the children’s heart rates also increased.

Other Effects of Caffeine on Children

Like adults who consume too much caffeine in a sitting, children suffer from other side effects of increased caffeine consumption.

These side effects include anxiety and nervousness, restlessness, jitters, difficulty concentrating, excessive energy only to crash later, trouble sleeping, and even, at times, nausea, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, diarrhea, increased urination, and dehydration.

In the most severe – and rare – cases, an overdose of caffeine can even result in a heart attack in consumers of all ages.

So… Should Kids Consume Caffeine?

The answer is a solid no. Based on the research, children are not physically suited for regular caffeine consumption, and parents should deter their children from consuming caffeine, whether in coffee, candy, or other food items.

Whether or not a child can safely consume small quantities of coffee is a different question and a different answer. Children can safely consume small quantities of coffee per the regulations and recommendations put out by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Johns Hopkins Medicine. With that being said, it certainly isn’t recommended as a healthy or beneficial addition to your child’s diet.

The Bottom Line?

If your kids sneak a sip of your coffee now and then or treat themselves to a delicious Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino every once in a while, you’re all good. If your teenage kids enjoy coffee now and then, there is no reason to be overly concerned.

However, when your children start a caffeine habit early on, under the age of 13, it’s time to nip it in the bud and correct habitual behavior that is not beneficial to them.

So what’s the good news? You have at least one less person to share your delicious morning brews with! 

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Disclosure: No compensation or free products were received in exchange for writing this review.

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Sophie Kidd Carr

Sophie Kidd Carr is a freelance writer and educator with over five years of experience in the coffee industry. Sophie also enjoys traveling to different countries and discovering new adventures.