Toddler Feeding Essentials (from a Dietitian Mom)

Over the past 4 years, I’ve bought numerous toddler plates, toddler blows, utensils, and even cups trying to find the right gear that works for my two toddlers. Since I have tried so many different toddler feeding supplies, I decided I should make a list of all my favorites to save you the time and money I have spent. I’ve tried to keep this list somewhat concise by listing only my favorite toddler feeding essentials.

By the way, if you’re looking for the best baby-led weaning gear – be sure to check out this similar post for babies who are just starting to eat!

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Best Toddler Feeding Essentials

While toddlers can use adult plates, bowls, and even cups I find that having some unbreakable small-sized toddler gear works best.

Toddler Plates, Bowls, and Utensils

For plates and bowls, I typically prefer silicone for my toddlers. I try to avoid plastic and find silicone is durable, easy to clean, and usually pleasing to look at it (various color choices etc.)

Here are our FAVORITES (the ones we use in our house over and over every day):

1. Silicone Toddler Plates with Lids – I love these toddler plates as they come with lids which makes it easy to prep lunches ahead for the next day, store uneaten food, or even pack lunches to take outside on a picnic. (Are these plates not what you are looking for? I have a whole article on choosing toddler plates.)
2. Stainless Steel Toddler Utensils – We use and love this realistic stainless steel set for our toddlers. If your toddler still needs something easier to grasp here are some more of the best utensil sets for toddlers.
3. Silicone Bowls – Again, the lids make these nice and I do love a silicone bowl with a suction to help prevent sliding when your toddler goes to scoop (ours are actually very similar to these but do not include a lid.) OXO tot bowl is another great (suctionless) option with a weighted bottom and edges shaped and curved to encourage scooping.

Toddler Cups (for home & travel)

There are so many toddler cups on the market! It can be hard to choose. If I had to narrow it down to just 2 cups this is what I recommend. We use these cups every single day.

4. Best Toddler Cups for Home Use – Elk & Friends Cups are my favorite to use at home. You can buy them in a set of 4, 6, or even 8. They are adorable plus come with a straw stopper making it so your toddler cannot pull out the straw.
5. Best Toddler Cup for Travel/Preschool – I love these thermos cups for packing. They don’t leak and are a great size for toddlers. If you have a very young toddler/baby then this size is a bit smaller and easier to handle.

I have an entire article on the best nonplastic toddler cups and the best smoothie cups for toddlers if you are still looking for more information!

Lunch & Snack Packing Containers

These are the containers we use every week for preschool and when traveling. Obviously, consider your lifestyle and what kind of foods you intend to pack for your child to help you decide what kind of packable containers you need for your family.

6. LunchBots Stainless Steel Bento Boxes – We have the small protein packer for my 2 year old’s preschool snack and the medium trio for my 4-year-olds preschool lunch.
7. Zip Top Silicone Snack Containers – We have these and love them. They stay closed really well and the way they pop open makes it easy for kids to reach into.

Again, if you are looking for more information don’t forget to check out these 2 articles in the series: Best Stainless Steel Bento Boxes, Best Snack Containers for Toddlers

Toddler HighChair or Booster Seat

I personally prefer toddler chairs that can be brought to the table for toddlers. Many highchairs like this one we have will convert to a junior/toddler chair. I have used a booster seat before but ended up getting rid of it as I did not like how it sat my child ergonomically.

Here are the ones I use for my 2-year-old and 4 year old.

8. Stokke Tripp Trapp – This is a really nice high chair that converts to a toddler chair. I have my 2-year-old sitting in this currently. The great thing about it is it is fully adjustable so your child will literally never outgrow it.
9. IKEA AGAM Junior Chair – My 4-year-old has been sitting in this for a couple of years now. I love the way it looks, it’s super lightweight, plus it sits him higher up to the table and allows his feet a resting place. I already have one bought for my 2-year-old, but she is petite and it does not yet raise her high enough.

EXTRAS

Ok, these things are not the essentials, but they are things that are really nice to have and that we use all of the time in our own home. (In fact, if I had to narrow all of my purchases in 2021 down then this would hands down be my best purchase of the entire year.)

10. Cordless Stick Vacuum – I can’t even begin to tell you how much this Shark Wandvac System has improved my life. I spend so much time cleaning up after my kids every day (3 meals and 2 snacks) not to mention my own messes from cooking. This is so easy to use, lightweight, and quite literally perfect for my kitchen! I keep it in my pantry and use it all the time. I’m now a firm believer that every kitchen needs a cordless stick vac!
11. Silicone Popsicle Molds – We love to make popsicles in the summer and these molds are fun and work really well.
12. Fun Food Picks – Do you have a picky toddler? Sometimes I’m surprised how much more interested in new foods or old less preferred foods both my kids are when I pull these out!
13. Silicone Placemats – We keep these in the car or my diaper bag and love to take them in to restaurants.
14. Learning Tower – I have a whole post wrote about how much I love learning towers, but seriously it’s a game-changer for cooking with your toddler. Here is the one we have and love. We use it almost every single day.

Ok, I hope this helps you find the perfect dinner/mealtime/eating gear for your toddler! Please comment below any favorites you have that I didn’t think to include on this list.

Other Toddler Feeding Resources

35+ EASY Toddler Lunch Ideas

Healthy Toddler Snack Guide

26 Healthy Prepackaged Toddler Snacks

SIMPLE Toddler Breakfasts

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