Buying guide for best toddler feeding sets
Toddlers need breakfast, lunch, and dinner just like adults do, but their little hands can't wield adult-sized flatware comfortably, and ceramic plates can run afoul of tantrums. Toddler feeding sets include a range of durable toddler-size plates and utensils perfect for your child's mealtimes.
To select the best toddler feeding set for your little one, consider the material. It should be virtually indestructible, but it shouldn't contain any potentially harmful chemicals. You also need to think about what you want your toddler feeding set to contain. Do you only want plates and bowls, or do you need cups, forks, and spoons, too?
Key considerations
Set contents
There isn’t a standard number or type of items included in a toddler dinner set. Possible items include flat plates, divided plates, bowls (lidded or unlidded), mugs, cups, forks, spoons, and knives, though you'll occasionally find other items. If you're buying your child's first dinner set and don't have toddler feeding items already, opt for a full set that includes at least one plate, bowl, mug, fork, and spoon. On the other hand, if you already have toddler cups or flatware, you might not need a full set.
Materials
Toddler feeding sets should be made from a material that won't break (or is highly unlikely to break) if dropped. Toddlers aren't known for their rational behavior or their hand-eye coordination, so it's more than likely your child's plates and bowls will occasionally be hurled across the room or dropped on the floor. Traditionally, the majority of toddler plates and bowls have been made from plastic, but — while plastic is still a popular option — we're seeing a much larger number of alternative choices available, such as bamboo, silicone, and stainless steel.
Plastic is inexpensive, strong, and lightweight, but it can contain BPA or other controversial chemicals. While experts still aren't 100% sure of the long-term effects of these chemicals leaching into food, the general consensus is that it's not worth risking with kids, so avoid any BPA-containing plastics. Another factor to consider is that plastic is bad for the environment and the bulk of hard plastics aren't widely recycled.
Silicone is considered safe by the FDA, but there haven't been many studies into its safety, so some parents may prefer to avoid silicone, too.
Bamboo is a highly sustainable and non-toxic material, so it's ideal for toddler feeding sets. It does tend to be more expensive than basic plastic and silicone sets, but it's worth the extra cash if you have the budget for it.
Stainless steel isn't as common as the other choices, but it's popular with people looking to avoid BPA and some of the other chemicals found in plastics. Although they can be pricey, stainless steel toddler feeding sets last for many years, which is great if you’re planning to have more children in future.
Color and design
You can find toddler feeding sets in a wide range of colors and designs. Some even sport popular characters from cartoons or animated movies. Although the color or design won't make any difference to how the set performs, it can go a long way with kids. A fun design could mean the difference between your toddler being excited for mealtime, just picking at his dinner, or refusing to eat at all.
Expert Tip
Consider buying a toddler feeding set that will see your child through from first weaning to eating independently.
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Features
Dividers
Some plates feature built-in dividers. These are handy for extremely picky eaters who won't eat their meal if different foods are touching. They can also help you put together a balanced meal for your toddler. For example, if the plate is separated into quarters, you could fill two quarters with fruits and veggies, one with carbohydrates, and one with protein.
Suction cups
Some toddler plates and bowls have suction cups on the underside. You can stick them onto a tabletop or the tray of a high chair to stop your child from knocking or dropping them to the floor. These work well for young toddlers, but it won't be long until your child is strong enough to pull them loose.
Soft-tipped spoons
These are great for kids just starting to feed themselves with utensils. The soft tips won't do any damage if your little one misses their mouth.
No-spill cups
The majority of toddler feeding sets come with open-top cups or mugs, but a handful include no-spill sippy cups.
Toddler feeding set prices
Toddler feeding sets range widely in price depending on the number of pieces in the set, the material, and the overall quality. Small plastic or silicone toddler feeding sets with four or five pieces can cost as little as $5 to $10. Mid-priced sets cost $10 to $20, they may be slightly larger, and you may find some bamboo options in this price range. On the high end, expect to pay $20 to $30 for a toddler feeding set. At this price point, you can buy stainless steel sets and top-end bamboo options.
Caution
Some hard plastic and bamboo toddler plates and bowls can break if dropped from a high distance (or thrown with force) onto hard floors.
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Tips
- Consider buying a toddler feeding set that's dishwasher safe. As a busy parent, you don't want the added hassle of washing all your toddler's dishes by hand.
- Pick a toddler feeding set that's suitable for your child's age and abilities. For instance, you might want a bowl with a suction cup for a young child who is prone to knocking their food on the floor, or a set with a little knife and fork for an older toddler who's ready to start cutting up their own food.
- Choose a toddler feeding set that your little one will love to use. Consider letting your toddler select the pattern — if they love it, they’re more likely to be enthusiastic about mealtimes.
- Check the recycling codes on plastic toddler plates, bowls, and cups. The following codes indicate plastics containing controversial chemicals: 3 (indicates phthalates), 6 (indicates styrene), and 7 (indicates bisphenols).
For your safety
Avoid metal-ended forks, spoons, and knives until your toddler is old enough to use them reliably without jabbing himself in the process.
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Other products we considered
With so many toddler feeding sets available, we’d like to list some fantastic alternatives if none of our top choices are quite right for you. First off, the Sweet Baby Carrot Divided Plates Set for Toddlers. This simple set consists of three divided silicone plates — ideal if you already have cups and cutlery. Although it's not the cheapest option out there, thinkbaby The Complete BPA Free Feeding Set is great for anyone who wants to avoid BPA and other controversial chemicals, such as phthalates. The set consists of a baby bowl, soup bowl, and bento box (all of which have lids so you can use them like Tupperware), plus a cup. Coocootsa Baby Dinnerware Set stands out due to its adorable panda design. With two plates, a cup, a fork, and a spoon included, it has everything you need, plus it’s made from bamboo, a sustainable choice. Another eco-friendly bamboo option is the Bobo&Boo Bamboo 5-Piece Children’s Dinnerware Set. It looks simple but is extremely well-made and contains all mealtime essentials.
FAQ
Q. When will my toddler start feeding themself?
A. The majority of babies start to show an interest in feeding themselves with their hands between seven and nine months old. By the time they reach around 11 to 13 months, they might try feeding themselves with spoons, but will probably end up with more in their hair and on their faces than in their mouths. By around the 18-month mark, the majority of toddlers should be able to feed themselves with spoons fairly reliably.
Q. What chemicals should I avoid in plastics?
A. Some chemicals in plastics have potentially worrying long-term effects on humans, so they're best avoided in toddler feeding sets. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends avoiding plastics that contain phthalates, styrene, and bisphenols (including BPA).
Q. Can I microwave my toddler feeding set?
A. Check whether your toddler feeding set is listed as microwave safe. That said, even if it is microwave safe in theory, plastics release more chemicals into food when heated, so we recommend against microwaving them.
