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The Best Plates, Placemats, Utensils For Toddlers

Last updated on March 15, 2024

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The way toddlers experience food is through all of their senses — not just taste. They want to pick up the spaghetti and feel it squish between their fingers, and they love the sound of crunchy things as they bite down on them. Ensuring your toddler has the right plates, placemats and utensils is the key to making their mealtime enjoyable (and it keeps cleanup easy for you).

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There is a wide variety of plates, placements and utensils for toddlers on the market these days. One of the most useful features you’ll find on plates and placemats is a suction cup that secures them to the table. This is important if your toddler is prone to grabbing things and throwing them around.

Plates that have divided compartments are a great way to show toddlers all of the different foods they are trying in their own sections. Young children can be intimidated when trying new foods that are jumbled together because they cannot identify what the foods are.

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Look for toddler plates that have high sides, which help to keep the mess inside the plate. The sides also make it easier for kids to place food on their utensils, as they can use the edges of the plate as a support. If you want to cut down on things you have to wash, consider getting a placemat and plate in one. This way, you just have one item to clean after the meal is over.

Our Picks For The Top Plates, Placemats, Utensils For Toddlers

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Product Overview
Our Take
 Top Pick

WeeSprout Mess-Free Round Plates For Toddlers, 3-Piece

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WeeSprout

Mess-Free Round Plates For Toddlers, 3-Piece

Made from a soft silicone, these plates, placemats, utensils for toddlers are a top choice among parents. The set includes three plates, each of which has space for a main course and two sides. Since the bottom of the plates are outfitted with suction cups, you won't have to worry about accidental spills.

Overall Take

Most AffordableYou'll love the budget-friendly price tag on this set of plates, placemats, utensils for toddlers.

 Runner Up

Munchkin Dishwasher Safe Plates, Placemats, Utensils For Toddlers, 16-Piece

Munchkin

Dishwasher Safe Plates, Placemats, Utensils For Toddlers, 16-Piece

Teach your little ones independence during mealtime with this set of plates, placemats, utensils for toddlers. The set features 16 pieces, including placemats, plates, bowls, cups, forks and spoons. All are dishwasher and microwave safe, as they are constructed from 100% silicone.

Overall Take

Colorful SetThese plates, placemats, utensils for toddlers feature the following bright colors: purple, green, yellow and blue.

 We Also Like

UpwardBaby Easy Clean Silicone Placemat For Toddlers

UpwardBaby

Easy Clean Silicone Placemat For Toddlers

This suctioned placemat is designed to make mealtimes less messy. It features a food catcher at the edge of the mat so food doesn't end up on the floor. The material is thick and durable.

Overall Take

Mess-Free MealtimeThese plates, placemats, utensils for toddlers are equipped with suction technology and a food catcher.

 Strong Contender

shopwithgreen Bamboo Divided Plates & Utensils For Toddlers, 7-Piece

shopwithgreen

Bamboo Divided Plates & Utensils For Toddlers, 7-Piece

This set of plates, placemats, utensils for toddlers is made from natural bamboo and doesn't use any harmful chemicals. It contains a plate, bowl, cup, spoon and fork. The cute cartoons brighten up the tableware and get kids excited to sit down for meals.

Overall Take

Made From BambooProtect your child from BPA and harmful chemicals.

What to Look For

  • With several meals and snacks a day, a toddler’s plates, placemats and utensils tend to pile up quickly. Opt for ones that are dishwasher-safe to help you save time and effort on cleanup.
  • Children often get attached to certain characters on TV or in stories. Luckily, many of those characters are featured on kids’ items, so try to find one on a plate if you think your child will be excited by it. This is also a good incentive to get kids to eat their dinner, as you can convince them to clean the food off the character. For example, “Let’s eat the potatoes on Mickey’s ears next.”
  • Toddlers are working on their fine and gross motor skills, so using utensils can be difficult at first. Don’t worry if they don’t get the hang of it immediately, as most food can be enjoyed with the hands anyway. You can still provide a spoon and fork during every meal so they can try using them to steer food into their mouths.

More to Explore

Adults can often overestimate the amount of food a child needs. As a guide, serve 1 tablespoon of each kind of food for each year of their age. For example, for a 2-year-old, serve 2 tablespoons of each of the items on the menu for the meal. Once they are done with that, they can always ask for more.

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