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Parenting sometimes seems to get more challenging with every passing day. Our desire to provide our kids with healthy, wholesome meals has gotten increasingly complicated with growing environmental concerns over PFAS (aka “forever chemicals”), heavy metals, Teflon, BPA, phthalates, and pesticides entering our children’s systems through the food they eat and the materials off of which they eat it.
Parents today need to work harder than ever to seek out healthy baby formulas and organic baby food without heavy metals to keep our kids safe. Many of us are also turning to non-toxic, non-plastic dinnerware and cookware to feed our kids, since research shows that certain materials can contain ingredients that we don’t want leaching into our children’s food and drinks.
Many plastics contain chemicals like BPA, phthalates, and PVC, which have been linked to a range of health issues, including developmental problems, hormonal imbalances, and even some cancers. Babies and toddlers are particularly vulnerable to the effects of these chemicals, as their bodies are still developing and they love to put things in their mouths. Plastic can also be difficult to clean and may harbor bacteria, which can be harmful to young children with developing immune systems.
For non-plastic toddler plates, bowls, and other dinnerware, look for non-toxic and eco-friendly materials like bamboo, silicone, and stainless steel to ensure your kids are eating off safe and healthy surfaces at all times (except when they’re eating food straight off of the floor even though you’ve told them a thousand times not to…but I digress).
3 Best Materials for Non-Toxic Toddler Dinnerware
Here are our favorite materials for kids’ plates, bowls, and other dinnerware.
1. Bamboo
Bamboo is a highly sustainable material that grows quickly and requires minimal resources to produce. It is also naturally antibacterial and non-toxic, making it a great material for plates and other kitchenware.
Bamboo plates are durable, lightweight, and easy to clean. Bamboo is a great sustainable option for parents who want to reduce their use of plastic and prioritize eco-friendly materials that are safe to eat on.
2. Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a popular material for toddler plates and other kitchenware because it is durable, easy to clean, and resistant to bacteria growth. It’s also free of harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates that we really don’t want leaching into our kids’ food.
Stainless steel plates are particularly useful for parents with young children who are prone to dropping and breaking dishes, as they are virtually indestructible. Stainless steel is also a long-lasting, eco-friendly material that can be recycled, so it’s a sustainable choice for families who want to reduce their environmental impact.
3. Silicone
Silicone is a non-toxic, flexible material that has recently become more popular for children’s products like plates, utensils, and reusable snack and sandwich bags. It’s free of harmful chemicals, making it safe for kids to eat off of.
Silicone plates are durable, easy to clean, and can be used in the dishwasher or microwave without any issues (which gives them a slight edge over stainless steel if you do a lot of warming up in your microwave).
Additionally, silicone is heat-resistant, which means it can withstand high temperatures without warping or melting, making it a great material for plates that may come into contact with hot food or liquids.
6 Best Non-Plastic Dinnerware Options for Kids
Here are our favorite options out there for non-toxic plates, bowls, utensils, and dinnerware for kids.
1. Bobo&Boo
Bobo&Boo offers a range of non-toxic bamboo plates and bowls that are durable, lightweight, and come in a variety of vibrant colors. These toddler plates, bowls, and cups are very easy to clean and are dishwasher safe (which is a must, in my book!), making them pretty ideal for busy parents.
2. Avanchy
Avanchy offers a range of options for bamboo and stainless dinnerware for kids, including some plates and bowls with silicone suction bases (yes!), which help keep them in place during mealtime. (If you haven’t had a toddler fling a plate of spaghetti across the room yet… that day will come, my friends.)
These plates and bowls are also dishwasher safe and come in a range of colors to suit different tastes. Plus, they’re super cute. I honestly wish they made them in grown-up sizes.
3. WeeSprout Non-Toxic Kids Dinnerware
WeeSprout offers a range of fabulous non-toxic dinnerware options that are easy to clean and come in fun, bright colors. They are lightweight, durable, and perfect for on-the-go use. Like the Avanchy, some of these plates also come with suction cups on the bottom to try to prevent the inevitable spaghetti on the wall/floor/table/Mom scenario.
WeeSprout also makes great baby spoons with soft tips, glass food storage containers, baby food freezer trays, straw cups, and bamboo bowls. We have the WeeSprout bamboo bowls and divided silicone plates, and we use them every day for snacks, yogurt, Cheerios, you name it- they are easy to wash, dishwasher safe, and the perfect size for snackin’.
4. Innobaby
Innobaby makes a variety of non-toxic stainless steel toddler plates and bowls with silicone suction bases that keep them in place during mealtime. They are durable, easy to clean, and perfect for parents who want a more sustainable and long-lasting option. My personal favorite is the chicken plate, quickly followed by the school bus plate with accompanying lid.
5. EZPZ
Ezpz makes innovative products for kids that are designed to make mealtime a little bit easier. Their most popular products are their non-toxic silicone divided plates (the “Mini Mat”) that suction to the table and are very easy to clean. (I truly appreciate divided plates like this because it invariably reminds me to make sure I include a protein, a veggie, and some kind of grain at meal times.)
Ezpz also offers a variety of other great products including cups, utensils, and drying racks out of food grade silicone. Another perk? They’re dishwasher safe! I love this brand!
6. Beaba
Finally, Beaba’s non-toxic toddler dinnerware line offers a range of high-quality and eco-friendly products, including plates, bowls, cups, and utensils that are made from bamboo and silicone. Beaba’s dinnerware is also dishwasher safe and durable. We love that they sell sets that include a plate with a lip to reduce spillage, along with a bowl, cup, and soft tipped spoon.
Non-Plastic Toddler Plates and Dinnerware for the Win
So there you have it, moms and dads- our picks for the best non-plastic and eco-friendly dinnerware for kids. With any of these silicone, bamboo, and stainless steel options, you can rest assured that the surfaces your kids eat off are as safe as can be.
If you’re also on the lookout for some high quality non-plastic baby bottles, check out our guide! We wrote one for non-toxic teethers as well — made only from the good stuff!
You might also be interested in some of our other guides:
- Guide to Building an Eco-Friendly Nursery
- Best Non-toxic Baking Sheets and Bakeware for Healthy Cooking
- Best Organic Clothes for Babies
- Non-Toxic Shampoo and Baby Wash for Kids
- Best Organic Diapers
- Best Organic Crib Sheets and Non-Toxic Cribs
- Baby Formulas Without Lead and Other Heavy Metals