Sooner or later, most kids ask for a sip of coffee, or a frozen coffee drink with their friends. A taste now and then won’t hurt, but caffeine affects children more than adults, and pediatric guidance is clear about the limits. Here is what the experts recommend by age, how much caffeine is in the drinks kids actually have, and what to watch for.
Quick answer: what pediatricians recommend
Caffeine Limits for Kids by Age
The U.S. FDA has not set a caffeine limit for children. The AAP gives the guidance above, and Health Canada publishes limits for each age group based on body weight.
| Age | AAP (U.S.) | Health Canada daily maximum |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 6 | No caffeine | 45 mg |
| 7 to 9 | No caffeine | 62.5 mg |
| 10 to 12 | No caffeine | 85 mg |
| Teens | Up to 100 mg (ages 12 to 18) | 2.5 mg per kg of body weight (13 and up), about 125 mg for a 110 lb (50 kg) teen |
How Much Caffeine Is in Drinks Kids Have?
These limits cover caffeine from every source, so a can of cola after school counts as well as a morning coffee. Typical amounts, mostly from Mayo Clinic:
| Drink | Serving | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|
| Brewed coffee | 8 oz | 96 mg |
| Espresso drink (latte, frappé) with one shot | any size | about 64 mg |
| Black tea | 8 oz | 47 mg |
| Green tea | 8 oz | 28 mg |
| Cola | 12 oz can | about 33 mg |
| Energy drink | 16 oz can | 54 to 328 mg (FDA) |
| Decaf coffee | 8 oz | about 2 mg |
Chocolate and some headache tablets also contain caffeine. See how much caffeine is in a cup of coffee for more drinks and cup sizes.
Why Caffeine Affects Kids More
Children are smaller, so the same drink is a much bigger dose for them. Too much caffeine can cause jitters, anxiety, a fast heart rate, headaches and an upset stomach. The most common problem is sleep: a 2003 study of seventh, eighth and ninth graders found that those who had more caffeine slept less at night and were more tired during the day, which is exactly what a teen reaching for coffee is trying to fix.
Caffeine is also habit-forming. Kids who have it daily can get withdrawal headaches and tiredness when they skip it.
Does Coffee Stunt Kids’ Growth?
No. The idea comes from older research suggesting caffeine reduces calcium absorption. Later work found the effect is very small and is offset by a tablespoon or two of milk in the cup, and a study of girls aged 12 to 18 found no link between caffeine and bone gain through adolescence. Coffee will not make your child shorter; the real reasons to limit it are sleep, jitters and sugar.
Watch the Sugar in Coffee Drinks
The coffee drinks kids want most are usually blended, syrupy café drinks topped with whipped cream. They taste like milkshakes, but a large one can contain more than a teenager’s caffeine limit and more added sugar than the American Heart Association recommends for children in a whole day (under 25 grams, about 6 teaspoons). A plain coffee with milk is the better choice for a teen who drinks coffee.
If Your Teen Drinks Coffee
- Keep it to one small cup. An 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee is about the 100 mg AAP limit on its own.
- Make it a morning drink. Caffeine stays in the body for hours, so afternoon coffee eats into sleep.
- Count everything. Tea, cola and chocolate count toward the daily total.
- Skip the syrups. Plain coffee with milk or a plant-based milk beats a blended café drink.
- Try decaf. Decaf gives them the taste and the ritual with almost no caffeine.
- No energy drinks. Ever.
This article is general information, not medical advice. If your child has a heart condition, anxiety, ADHD or takes medication, ask their pediatrician about caffeine.
Sources
- Seattle Children’s, summarizing American Academy of Pediatrics guidance. Why Kids and Teens Should Avoid Energy Drinks.
- Health Canada. Health Canada Reminds Canadians to Manage Caffeine Consumption.
- Mayo Clinic. Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?
- Pollak CP, Bright D. Caffeine consumption and weekly sleep patterns in US seventh-, eighth-, and ninth-graders. Pediatrics, 2003.
- Heaney RP. Effects of caffeine on bone and the calcium economy. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2002.
- Lloyd T et al. Dietary caffeine intake is not correlated with adolescent bone gain. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 1998.
Former roastery owner and coffee tour operator. Steve spent five years roasting coffee for his own shop and wholesale customers. More about Steve