Ashley Anttila, MD, of Nemours Children’s Health in Delaware, tells Verywell Family there are no exact “right answers” when it comes to feeding your little ones. “I encourage trying different things for different babies or toddlers! Different foods, textures, temperatures, [and] consistencies all make for a varied diet throughout this period of life!” There are dozens of different toddler bowls and plates on the market, so consider some important factors before purchasing. Look for plates and bowls that are durable enough to withstand any tosses to the floor and are easy to use for children, parents, and caregivers. Additionally, keep in mind your family’s lifestyle, as that will determine if you need items that are more travel friendly. We carefully considered design, material, durability, functionality, ease of cleaning and use, and value when reviewing products. Here are the best toddler plates and bowls on the market. Price at time of publication: $24 The bowls stack for easy storage and are safe to use in the dishwasher, microwave, and freezer. Plus, each BPA-free plastic bowl comes with a lid that snaps on to prevent leaks or store leftovers. Price at time of publication: $7 To help contain messes, the BabyBjörn bib has a scooped bottom to capture the food that doesn’t make it into the baby’s mouth, and features an adjustable neckline for a comfortable fit. Each set comes in a gift box, making it a great gift idea. You can also keep the box for storage purposes. Price at time of publication: $55 The set is available in nearly 10 different colors, and each piece in the set is free of harmful chemicals. While the set is not microwave safe and the bamboo must be hand-washed, you can toss the silicone liners into the dishwasher for a deeper cleaning. Price at time of publication: $42 While the plates can be safely used in the dishwasher or freezer, they should not be used in the microwave. Safe for hot and cold meals, the plates can be used by everyone in the family for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert. Price at time of publication: $20 The company recommends hand-washing the pieces, but they are also dishwasher safe for easy and fast cleaning. The pieces can also be stacked for simple storage, and are safe for toddlers 12 months old and up. Price at time of publication: $64 Whether your little one enjoys oatmeal or soup, the placemat can be used in the microwave or oven and cleaned via the dishwasher. If you have multiple littles, the placemats are stackable, so you can carry food from one area to another with ease. Price at time of publication: $23 Though they don’t have suction cups, the plates and bowls still come with a nonslip bottom for security at the dinner table. Each piece in the set is dishwasher and microwave safe and can be used for littles as young as 6 months old. Price at time of publication: $13 Price at time of publication: $11
What to Look for in Toddler Plates and Bowls
Durability/Material
Veteran parents and caregivers know how messy mealtime can be, so we suggest looking for plates and bowls that can withstand some tossing (or hopefully prevent it!). Consider the type of material the plate is made from to get an idea of how breakable it may be. For example, some materials, such as silicone or plastic, are more durable than glass or ceramic plates adults use, especially when dropped. Dr. Scott suggests following a few guidelines when it comes to toddler plates and bowls, and recommends finding BPA- and phthalate-free plates if you plan on using plasticware. “Silicone and plastic are best, so that they won’t break should your toddler drop or throw it,” she says. “Consider plates and bowls with suction cups that adhere to the tray top so that they can’t be moved.”
Easy to Clean
To make life easier on yourself or the person you’re buying for, look for plates and bowls that are easy to clean. Most toddler plates and bowls are dishwasher-safe unless they’re made of certain materials, such as bamboo, or if the manufacturer states otherwise. “Stainless steel and bamboo are also options, but stainless can get hot or cold and can’t be microwaved, and bamboo has to be hand-washed,” explains Dr. Scott. Be sure to check what’s safe for the plates and bowls to go through to ensure they’ll last a long time. Some companies recommend hand-washing over the dishwasher to preserve the integrity of the product, so if hand-washing isn’t your thing, look for dishwasher-safe plates and bowls.
Lifestyle
While you may not think of your family’s lifestyle when shopping for plates and bowls, how your family lives can affect the type of plates and bowls you buy. Families who travel often may find it easier to use plates and bowls with lids for better portability while on the go. However, families who stay home more often may not need those additional pieces. Also consider your child’s age, as you may prefer plates with suction cups for smaller babies who love to explore the world around them and experiment with gravity.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Katrina Cossey has been a digital content producer and news and feature writer for more than six years. She has covered topics ranging from local and national news as well as writing and researching parenting content. Katrina is a parent herself and highly recommends plates and bowls with suction cups for younger babies. She now uses the Munchkin Splash Dining Set for a non-suction plate and bowl for her toddler son. Dr. Anttila says divided plates are also a great option for kiddos who don’t like their food touching. “Divided plates can be particularly wonderful for children who are more bothered about different foods touching, which can be more common in neurodivergent children. It can also be helpful for parents to fill certain places with particular amounts or consistencies of food! Oftentimes, food ends up mixed together by the end of the meal, whether one uses a divided plate or not!” However, keep in mind that many babies aren’t ready for solids until 6 months old or older, as they need to be able to hold their head up and at least weigh double their birth weight. “Around 10 to 12 months is when a baby starts to self-feed. Plates or bowls can be introduced to them to serve their food,” Dr. Agarwal explains to Verywell Family. “They will start by using their fingers to pick up the food when self-feeding. Don’t expect them to use utensils right away for self-feeding.” There’s something that’s more important than choosing plates and utensils for the solid food transition, according to the experts, and that’s becoming certified in CPR. “I highly encourage all parents to become trained in infant CPR,” Dr. Scott says. “A choking infant or toddler is very frightening to witness, and you want to be equipped with what to do. These courses are offered through the Red Cross as well as YMCAs.” “For baby-led weaning, it is important that the food is easy for baby to access with either (or both) hand(s)—so a plate or bowl with a low edge that will help food stay in his/her reach is a good choice—the silicone plates that suction to the high chair are a good option, as they keep the presented food in front of the child,” says Dr. Anttila. “Some families using baby-led weaning may opt to put food directly on a placemat or high chair tray. This option allows for ample space for the infant to explore food textures with both hands.” If you don’t have a divided plate yet and want to get started, Dr. Scott says you can use a muffin tin in the meantime. “Another option is using a muffin tin, either in stainless steel or silicone, which works well as dividers, although these will not have suction cups attached,” she says. “These can be fun and a change for a 3- to 4-year-old, making it easy for them to choose among their selections at meal time.”
