The Best Plastic-Free Bowls, Plates, Cups, and Utensils for Babies ...

Ezpz Happy Bowl

Top pick

This silicone bowl with a built-in placemat works well for babies and toddlers tasting one or two foods at a time.

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Many feeding accessories for babies are made from silicone—and for good reason. Compared with plastic, silicone can withstand high heat and can usually be washed in the dishwasher, though hand-washing may slow the breakdown of the silicone over time. Plus, it’s gentler on baby mouths and hands than other materials. The heft of the Ezpz Happy Bowl, a bowl and placemat combined, eliminates the need for a suction cup to keep it in place on a high chair or table. The Happy Bowl has hundreds of positive reviews on Amazon.

It has a simple design. The beauty of this bowl is that it doesn’t require any attachments or accessories and, by its very nature, helps contain messes. It adheres to wood, laminate, and plastic surfaces without the use of suction and is especially great for serving viscous foods like baby cereal, yogurt, and soup.

The large bowl fits plenty of food for babies and toddlers. I found that the 12-ounce bowl was a good size for serving my 2-year-old his favorite snack of yogurt with honey. Ezpz also sells a 5-ounce version called the Tiny Bowl. Both options are best for kids who are enjoying one or two foods at a time.

It cleans up well, even after messy meals. The built-in mat helps contain drips and splatters, and when the meal is complete, you can transfer the entire thing to the sink. The Happy Bowl didn’t stain when I left the remnants of a spaghetti dinner in it for 48 hours, and unlike competitor models it also didn’t develop any stains over the course of two months of testing.

The experts we spoke to are mixed on whether or not it’s a good idea to put silicone dinnerware in the dishwasher. As a result, I mostly hand-washed the silicone feeding tools I tested.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Silicone can develop a soapy smell over time and retain food odors. This is true of all silicone kitchen tools. You can usually combat this by using a mild, unscented dish soap. Tools that are fully heatproof and 100% silicone can also be baked in a 250 °F oven for 20 minutes to remove lingering smells, though that might accelerate their breakdown.

It may not fit on every high-chair tray. The dimensions of the placemat are around the same as a legal pad. It works well on the tray of our top-pick high chair, the IKEA Antilop, but not on the tray of our upgrade pick, the Stokke Tripp Trapp Chair.

Bumkins Silicone Grip Dish

Top pick

This hefty silicone suction plate has helpful dividers and fits enough food without overwhelming young eaters.

price may vary by color

Quick: Think of a tool intended for feeding kids. Is it a colorful, divided dish? Caregivers on parenting forums say this design, which is ubiquitous, helps keep meals organized and teaches kids about the foods they’re eating. Of the three divided silicone plates I tested, the hefty silicone Bumkins Silicone Grip Dish was my favorite. It has a strong suction base and works well for babies and toddlers.

It’s tough—though not impossible—to toss off a high chair. Older babies and toddlers are masters at tossing plates and bowls off surfaces (according to occupational therapist St. John, this is one way preverbal kids communicate with their caregivers at mealtimes). Of all the feeding tools I tested designed to stop little ones in their tracks, the Bumkins dish performed best.

At a hefty 11.4 ounces, it’s simply harder for kids to lift (in comparison, the Mushie Silicone Suction Plate weighs 8.8 ounces, and the WeeSprout Suction Plate for Babies and Toddlers weighs 5 ounces). Its base also has a single strong suction cup. During more than two months of daily testing, I found that my 2-year-old was only able to jettison it from his high chair a handful of times.

The design supports self-feeding. A sizable lip on the side of a dish or plate is helpful for babies and toddlers learning to scoop up food. The Bumkins dish has three roomy compartments divided by thick silicone walls that are perfect for pushing into with a fork or spoon. My son had success feeding himself pasta and yogurt from this plate, and it fits enough food that I’d use it to feed my 5-year-old in a pinch.

It’s easy to wash. Extra lids and attachments can be handy, but often make kids feeding tools hard to clean. Part of the beauty of this dish is its one-piece design, which is easy to wash by hand. This plate also resists staining. During a test in which I left it out for 48 hours with the remnants of a spaghetti-and-meatballs dinner, the Bumkins dish performed better than the competition.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It’s heavy. The fact that this plate weighs several ounces more than most competitor models means I find myself reaching for an alternative when traveling or heading out to a restaurant.

Nuby Baby’s First Mini Sipper Training Cup

Top pick

This tiny cup is easy for toddlers to grasp and has a weighted base that helps reduce spills.

Teaching kids to drink from a cup without a lid is a journey. It can be counterintuitive for toddlers to keep an open cup upright after months of drinking from a bottle. I tested six cups geared toward kids and toddlers, but the festive Baby’s First Mini Sipper Training Cup from Nuby does the best job of helping ease the process. Its silicone walls are easy to grasp, and its weighted base helps reduce spills. It fits a tiny amount of liquid—but that’s by design. Given a larger volume, most older babies and toddlers will eventually dump it out.

Babies and toddlers can easily use this cup. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that babies can start practicing drinking from a cup as early as 6 months, but even the smallest cups are often too large or unwieldy for them. This miniature, 2-ounce option has a grippy silicone exterior that’s easy for little ones to bring to their mouths. And a cup with a small opening, like this one has, allows kids to learn to tilt the cup back without spilling, St. John said.

The weighted base helps prevent spills. During testing, I watched this cup totter and then right itself multiple times on top of my toddler’s high-chair tray. It has saved me from cleaning up literally dozens of messes. It showed no signs of staining when I left it filled with apple juice for 24 hours.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The cup itself is very petite. There are times when I find myself filling and refilling (and refilling) this cup during meals. However, when I give my 2-year-old a larger vessel (like the Klean Kanteen 10 oz Cup), he ends up repeatedly pouring out the contents before the meal is through.

Beaba First Stage Two-Tone Silicone Spoon

Top pick

Due to its long grip and smooth silicone shovel, this spoon works well for babies starting solids.

The fully silicone Beaba First Stage Two-Tone Silicone Spoon has smooth edges and a small shovel that can easily fit in a baby’s mouth. Its long handle is especially helpful for the period before babies are self-feeding, but its grippy silicone handle means that toddlers can also successfully use this spoon to take some first bites.

The shovel is perfect for introducing babies to new foods. A baby’s first spoon doesn’t need a deep shovel, St. John said. Babies’ mouths are small and, when they begin self-feeding, they more often use a spoon to dip and lick. This spoon fits the bill with its small, rounded scoop.

It has a long handle, so parents’ hands are less likely to get messy during feedings, and the two-tone pattern helps little ones distinguish between the spoon’s shovel and handle. This spoon washes and dries easily and doesn’t have moisture-trapping spots that are likely to lead to mold.

You can easily repurpose this spoon beyond the baby stage. As kids get older, they’ll have more success feeding themselves with utensils with a shorter handle, said St. John, such as the Elk and Friends spoons and forks we recommend. I’ve repurposed this tiny, handy spoon for scooping peanut butter out of a jar or spreading butter on a waffle iron.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

A transparent version of this set can stain. At least one customer review mentions it. I prefer the opaque, two-tone version of this set for this reason.

Avanchy Stainless Steel Suction Baby Bowl

Top pick

This stainless steel bowl has a removable suction-cup base and a lid for saving leftovers.

May be out of stock

When it comes to feeding kids, durable and easy-to-clean stainless steel accessories are hard to beat. My kids have been using the 10-ounce Avanchy Stainless Steel Suction Baby Bowl for more than six months (I bought a used version at a secondhand shop prior to starting work on this guide), and it barely has a scratch. It fits plenty of food and has both a lid and a suction base, which are handy during the toddler stage. Note: At the time of publication, the bowl is out of stock, but the company is expected to restock at the beginning of April.

It stands up to frequent and rugged use. This bowl is also easy to wash by hand, and it resisted staining and rusting during testing. This is notable, given that the competition (I tested three other stainless steel bowls) showed signs of wear and tear.

You can use this bowl without the suction and lid. One of my kids loves a long, leisurely meal. The other not so much. The airtight lid makes it easy to quickly save barely touched food for later. And you can remove the suction cup base, so elementary-age kids can use the bowl without feeling like it’s too babyish. It’s also stackable, if you choose to buy more than one.

Its double-wall insulation keeps its contents warm. My toddler frequently eats soups and oatmeal out of this bowl, and its walls don’t get hot to the touch.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Its suction isn’t kid-proof. No suction is, really. Multiple Amazon buyer reviews (like this one and this one) mention that their kids figured out how to peel the bowl’s suction grip from various surfaces.

It’s pricey. This is among the more expensive feeding accessories I tested. However, this bowl is so easy to wash and store, I’ve found that I only need one.

Kiddobloom Children’s Stainless Steel Divided Plate

Top pick

This plate comes plain or with kid-friendly characters, and it stands up to frequent washing and use.

Plastic dinnerware and utensils frequently feature bold colors and recognizable animated characters; this is one of the hardest things about giving them up. Both of my kids love the Kiddobloom Children’s Stainless Steel Divided Plate. It’s highly rated on Amazon, and comes plain or with a frog or princess detail—basically the next best thing to that well-loved plastic Bluey plate.

It fits a just-right amount of food. The plate has three compartments—one large and two small. The large section is perfect for a kid-size sandwich, a small slice of pizza, or a few chicken nuggets, while the small sections are great for fruit and veggies or dips. At 9.4 ounces, this plate weighs 2 ounces less than our top silicone pick, and it’s one of the most portable options I tested.

It’s easy to use and care for. Wirecutter’s guide to flatware explains the difference between various types of stainless steel: 18/8 stainless steel has a higher nickel content than 18/0 and is therefore more corrosion-resistant. This plate is made from 18/8 stainless steel and did not develop scratches or rust during the two-month testing period.

It can also be purchased as part of a giftable set that includes a cup and bowl, which I also tested. My kids loved the handles on the 13-ounce bowl, which makes it easy to drink cereal milk and soup. And the 6-ounce cup is a nice size for toddlers.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It doesn’t stick to surfaces.This plate may not be for you if your kid consistently throws their plate from the high chair or table.

Klean Kanteen 10 oz Cup

Top pick

These colorful cups fit the right amount of liquid for kids. You can also add a spillproof lid.

I tested three stainless steel cups for kids, and the Klean Kanteen 10 oz Cups performed the best. My children love using these cheery cups for everything from milk to juice, and the cups have so far resisted rust, staining, and scratches. (Stainless steel is designed to last decades.) I’ve also owned a similar set of 12-ounce Klean Kanteen cups for close to 10 years, and they’ve held up extremely well.

They’re dishwasher-safe and stand up to rugged use. After an exhausting meal (face it, not every family dinner is one you want to remember), it can be a relief to toss everything in the dishwasher and turn out the kitchen lights. That’s one reason I love these 10-ounce cups, which stand up to frequent washing and use and come out looking spick-and-span, whether I wash them by hand or throw them in the dishwasher. They also stack well and are compatible with a spillproof (though not leakproof) straw and lid.

You can use them beyond the kitchen. I’ve taken these cups camping and on picnics, and I’ve put them to work in the pantry storing art supplies. The various colors are inviting, and they can easily be used by older kids and adults as well.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

They don’t work well with hot beverages. Unlike the Avanchy bowl, these cups aren’t insulated and readily conduct heat. The company doesn’t recommend using the straw lid with warm liquids.

The spillproof lid is an additional cost. Adding the straw lid costs about $7.50. Klean Kanteen also sells a single cup with a lid for the same price.

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Elk and Friends Babies/Toddler Stainless Steel Spoons + Forks with Silicone Handle

Top pick

These colorful utensils have gentle, rounded edges and silicone handles that are easy to grasp.

There are many utensils designed for kids, but it can be surprisingly tricky to find a stainless steel set that works well for babies and toddlers. Some spoons have a shovel so cavernous it seems designed exclusively for soup, for example, or the tines of a fork are far too sharp. The pint-sized Elk and Friends Babies/Toddler Stainless Steel Spoons + Forks with Silicone Handle, on the other hand, have an intuitive design and rounded edges that won’t give young eaters an unexpected poke.

The silicone handles are easy to grasp. When St. John works with families, she advises them to select toddler silverware with a built-up handle that’s easy to grasp, which is exactly what this set offers. “The shorter it is, the more control they’re going to have.” My 2-year-old had the most success self-feeding with these forks and spoons out of all the cutlery I tested. The handles measure a manageable 4 inches, compared with 4.5 inches for the long-handled Beaba First Stage Two-Tone Silicone Spoon. A pack includes three spoons and three forks.

Rounded stainless edges are gentle on tiny mouths. Importantly, the shovel of this spoon is deep enough to fit a dollop of yogurt or a scoop of soup. My son uses this spoon to eat Cheerios and milk—the shovel fits four or five milk-soaked Cheerios at a time. The tines of the fork are just sharp enough to be effective; I’ve watched my toddler repeatedly use the fork to spear a cooked carrot and bring it to his mouth.

They sit off the table. The Elk and Friends utensils have a tiny heart on the back of the silicone handle that prevents the stainless steel end from touching the table when you set it down. This arguably helps keep mealtime more hygienic (although it won’t protect the silverware when it’s tossed on the floor).

Flaws but not dealbreakers

A two-piece design is more susceptible to mold. You don’t need to remove the utensil’s silicone sleeve from the metal handle for washing, but the two pieces do come apart. Some customer reviews mention that, as a result, their cutlery developed mold where water collected between the silicone and metal. I did not observe this.

OXO Tot Cutlery Set for Big Kids

Top pick

These utensils are slightly smaller and have smoother edges than ones intended for adults.

Elementary-age kids can benefit from dedicated cutlery, too, especially when the available adult options are heavy or sharp. The OXO Tot Cutlery Set for Big Kids performed best out of three sets of cutlery I tested geared toward older children. Though similar in size to adult salad forks and dessert spoons, this set weighs less, comes in kid-friendly colors, and includes a dull, serrated knife so kids can practice cutting and spreading. These have a plastic handle, but the part that kids put in their mouths is stainless steel.

Colorful options are inviting to kids. I’m continually surprised by the small details that compel my 5-year-old daughter to come to the table, and this set—available in pale shades of pink, blue, and green, as well as white with navy—is one of them. She’s even started helping me to set the table in the hopes of securing her favorite cutlery.

Rounded edges shouldn’t hurt little mouths.These utensils are lightweight enough for kids who are developing hand strength, and the rounded edges of the fork and spoon are gentle enough for older toddlers to use (OXO says the set is designed for kids ages 3 and up). The adult soup spoons I own weigh 1.7 ounces, whereas this one weighs 1.1 ounces.

When your kids have grown up, you can use the set for outdoor dining. The set is durable, showed no signs of rust over more than two months of use, and withstood more than 20 washings in the dishwasher. The utensils are also large enough for adults to use and resemble something you’d throw in a picnic basket.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

They aren’t much smaller than adult-size salad forks and dessert spoons. A set costs about $12 and comes with a spoon, fork, and knife. Save your money if you think your child might be ready for adult-size silverware.

Corelle Winter Frost White 18-ounce Cereal Bowls

Top pick

These bowls are a nice size for serving cereal, pasta, soup, or ice cream. They are breakable but also relatively affordable to replace.

Glass is breakable, yes, but glass feeding accessories for kids tend to cost less than silicone and stainless steel options. Allowing older kids to practice with breakable plates and bowls like these triple-layer glass ones is a first step toward preparing them for adult tableware. The Corelle Winter Frost White 18-ounce Cereal Bowls come from a trusted company, are chip-resistant, and outperformed the porcelain options I tested.

Families swear by these versatile bowls. Corelle has been around for decades, and multiple reviewers say they used these bowls for years while their kids were growing up. The bowls have a shallow design that’s easy to navigate with a spoon. You can use them to heat foods in the microwave, although they do become a bit hot to the touch. They also work well for adults.

They cost a fraction of our top-pick silicone bowl. You might be able to find used bowls online and at secondhand shops. They did not break during a test in which I dropped them from a height of 3 feet onto a bamboo wood floor; however, they did break when dropped on concrete.

They’re easy to wash and store. These bowls resist staining—even when left for 48 hours with the remnants of a spaghetti-and-meatball meal. The fact that they’re made from three thermally bonded layers of glass is why Corelle says the bowls are durable and can be heated up to 350 °F. They clean up easily and, although they resemble porcelain, don’t have the same propensity to chip in the dishwasher. The bowls stack well and take up little space in the pantry.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Glass can shatter. Multiple owner reviews mention that these bowls can shatter when dropped. I did not experience this; the bowl I tested broke into two clean pieces when I dropped it on concrete.

Duralex Le Picardie Clear Tumbler

Top pick

These highly rated glasses come in a smaller size that works well for serving water, milk, and juice to older kids. Their classic shape makes them a favorite among adults, too.

May be out of stock

The durable Duralex Le Picardie Clear Tumblers have been a Wirecutter favorite for more than a decade, and this short, squat version (roughly 5 ounces) is a near-perfect vessel for introducing kids to breakable drinkware. The glasses are easy to clean, they fit comfortably in kids’ hands, and they aren’t too expensive to replace. Dozens of reviewers attest to their durability.

They fit ample liquid. Large glasses are all too easy for kids to inadvertently knock over during mealtimes, whereas tiny tumblers mean adults must get up multiple times for refills. These glasses are a nice, in-between size for serving beverages to kids. Notably, they didn’t break during testing, including when dropped on concrete from a height of 3 feet.

They’re easy for small hands to use. The tapered tumbler fits nicely in kids’ hands, and the glasses have a thin lip that’s easy for small mouths to navigate. My 5-year-old now drinks from these glasses almost daily, whereas my 2-year-old has greater success with the smaller, 3-ounce model. Another benefit of the roughly 5-ounce size is that it works as a water or cocktail glass for adults. You can sometimes find them secondhand.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

They can stick together. The glasses have a tendency to stick together if stacked immediately after removing them from the dishwasher. You can avoid this by allowing them to cool first.

Stainless steel

I was eager to test the Ahimsa Conscious Cup, given that my kids were big fans of the dinnerware and utensils. Unfortunately, its edge is sharp (several owners also commented on this), and it costs about $14—pricey for a single drinking vessel. The Ahimsa Stainless Bowls for Kids performed similarly. They are a nice, 12-ounce size, but the lip is sharp, and they cost $14 each. Also, at some point, my daughter discovered how easy they are to spin around a finger or utensil, which became a distraction during mealtimes.

The 12-ounce HaWare Stainless Steel Bowls for Kids looked promising, but they scratched quickly in the dishwasher, and multiple customers mention that water managed to permeate the interior of the bowl over time. The HaWare Kids’ Stainless Steel Plates are 8 inches in diameter and easily accommodate a main entrée plus a couple sides. Unfortunately, multiple customers mention them developing rust or discoloration over time (see here and here).

The Innobaby Stainless Bus Plate seems like a cute option that might encourage more tentative eaters to come to the table. I eliminated this pick from consideration early on due to the fact that it comes with a plastic lid that comes in contact with children’s food.

The experts I interviewed said that utensils with a big handle are helpful for older babies and toddlers learning to hold silverware for the first time. But the plastic and silicone grip on the OXO Tot On-the-Go Fork and Spoon Set utensils was so chunky that, at times, my toddler found them hard to grasp.

Glass

I tested the Beaba Duralex Meal Set, which features the same tempered glass as our top-pick, highly rated Duralex Le Picardie cups. Although the pieces performed well during both drop tests and are easy to wash and care for, I found the silicone sleeves to be a hassle to attach and reattach. Customers reported that the suction doesn’t work on all surfaces.

The Corelle Everyday Expressions Salad Plates are 7.5 inches in diameter and made from glass, which resisted shattering on wood and concrete surfaces during my drop tests. These plates are a great size for serving kids’ meals, stack well in the pantry, and are easy to wash by hand or in the dishwasher. The Everyday Expressions line has been discontinued by Corelle, but you can still find the plates from third-party retailers and at secondhand shops.

I was also excited to try the Elk and Friends 8 oz Glass Mason Jar Drinking Tumblers, which feature a Mason jar covered in a silicone sleeve. Unfortunately, these glasses feature a plastic lid that comes in contact with the liquid kids are drinking, so I cut them from testing.

Porcelain

The Elk and Friends Kids Porcelain Bowl with Silicone Sleeve and Kids 6.7″ Porcelain White Plates with Silicone Sleeves feature pastel colors that my daughter loved. The silicone sleeve is meant to protect the bowls and plates from unintended drops. Unfortunately, the plates and bowls chipped during both drop tests. The plate is also a strange, bulky design, and I wouldn’t consider using it without the sleeve.

This guide was edited by Amy Miller Kravetz and Kalee Thompson.

Introduction

As parents, we're always on the lookout for the best products for our children's safety and well-being. One question that often arises is: when should you introduce stainless steel cutlery for children? In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the advantages of using stainless steel utensils, safety considerations, and answer the most common questions parents have about this popular material. So let's dive right in!

The Rise of Stainless Steel in Children's Cutlery

A Healthier Alternative

Stainless steel has gained popularity as a healthier alternative to plastics, which can contain harmful chemicals such as BPA. Stainless steel is free from these concerns and provides a safer option for your child's mealtime.

Durability and Longevity

When it comes to children's cutlery, durability is key. Stainless steel is known for its strength, making it resistant to scratches, dents, and breakage. Plus, it won't rust, ensuring it lasts for years to come.

When Should You Introduce Stainless Steel Cutlery for Children?

The ideal time to introduce stainless steel cutlery for children varies depending on your child's development and your personal preferences. Here are some key milestones to consider:

1. Starting solid foods: Once your child begins eating solid foods, usually around 6 months, it's a good time to introduce stainless steel baby spoons and forks.

2. Developing motor skills: As your child's motor skills progress, you can start using stainless steel cutlery designed for older kids, such as knives with rounded tips for added safety.

3. Transitioning to adult tableware: As your child grows and becomes more comfortable using cutlery, you can gradually transition to adult-sized stainless steel utensils.

Navigating the World of Stainless Steel Cutlery for Children

Safety First: How to Choose the Right Products

When selecting stainless steel cutlery for your children, consider these safety tips:

• Look for products specifically designed for children, such as utensils with rounded edges and non-slip grips.
• Ensure that the stainless steel is food-grade quality (18/8 or 18/10) to avoid any potential health risks.

Care and Maintenance

To keep your stainless steel cutlery in tip-top shape, follow these care and maintenance guidelines:

• Hand wash stainless steel utensils with warm, soapy water.
• Avoid abrasive cleaners that could scratch the surface.
• For stubborn stains, use a mixture of baking soda and water to gently scrub the affected area.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is stainless steel cutlery safe for children to use?

Yes, when used appropriately and chosen carefully, stainless steel is a safe and healthy option for children's cutlery.

2. Can stainless steel cutlery be used in the dishwasher?

Yes, most stainless steel cutlery is dishwasher safe. However, it's best to check the manufacturer's instructions for specific care guidelines.

3. Are there any drawbacks to using stainless steel cutlery for children?

One potential drawback is that stainless steel cutlery can be more expensive than their plastic counterparts. However, their durability and safety benefits often outweigh the cost difference.

4. How do I teach my child to use stainless steel cutlery?

Start by offering child-sized utensils, and model proper usage during mealtimes. Encourage your child to

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