The Best of the Best Toddler Plates & Feeding Tools
Feb 17, 2025, Updated Feb 24, 2025
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Today, we’re starting with all the tools you need to set yourself up for success at the table. I’m talking toddler plates, utensils, meal gear- you name it, I’ve done a deep dive into it to find the best ones to *hopefully* make your feeding journey a little easier.
If you’re like- ‘Lady, why are we talking about toddler plates and not toddler food?’
Don’t worry, we do talk about the X’s and O’s a food a ton around here. Nutrition is something I’m so passionate about, and I try to cover a ton of specific topics on kids and nutrition. But when it comes to picky eating, I’ve found that the small things sometimes matter…a lot.
So whether it’s the right toddler plate, a cute, functional toddler cup, or some adorable food picks, having the right gear can really nudge picky eaters in the right direction!
The Best of the Best Toddler Plates & Feeding Tools
Toddler plates
First, let me direct your attention to my toddler meal gear board on Amazon. This is where I’ve compiled all my favorites from every category. So if you’re wanting to look for more than just toddler plates, go here! I’ll link things individually as well, but if you want to just scroll through the whole storefront, be my guest!
But let’s get into toddler plates!
Let’s start with a crowd favorite (can you hear the sarcasm?): character plates.
Listen, I let my kids wear the character T-shirts and backpacks, etc, etc, because…childhood. I won’t say they’re my very favorite to look at, but hey, if a Bluey plate gets them to eat food, I’m 1000% in. It’s maybe not the most *aesthetic* approach, but it makes them happy!
When picky eaters are excited about something at the meal- even if it’s just their plate- they’re way more likely to be open and receptive to the experience. I’m not guaranteeing you that a character plate will make them finish their food or try a vegetable, but we’re playing the long game here.
We’re trying to make meal times a fun, low-stress experience so that they have positive associations with sitting down at the table. You may not see it right off the bat, but fostering those positive connections at mealtime can actually be a huge step on the journey of combatting picky eating.
So, buy those character plates.
Next, colorful plates!
If character plates aren’t your style, you can still elicit the same excitement by jazzing up your toddler plates with color!
If you’ve ever been around a toddler, you know how important color can be. It can be a make or break type of experience whether they have the blue plate or the pink plate (so I STAY STOCKED on different options, especially when there are multiple kids with opinions).
Personally, I try to avoid heating food on plastic plates, and I microwave leftovers fairly often. So my personal favorites are these Elk and Friends porcelain plates. They’re in a silicone jacket for extra durability and kid friendliness. And bonus points, they’re cute! I like the colors and my kids do, too! (But if your kid is in a throwing phase, I’d hold off on these juuuust in case.)
Mushie plates are another favorite. They have a BPA-free silicone divider plate option and a BPA-free plastic flat plate option. I own and have used both!
A couple other great choices are these Weesprout bamboo plates and these Replay Recycled plates.
A note on divided plates
It’s okay to use divided plates!
Some people will say that using divided toddler plates reinforces picky eating. But even as a non-picky adult, there are plenty of foods that I want to keep separate or need to keep contained (like something more liquidy). So there’s nothing wrong with owning some divided plates!
Toddler utensils
There are a ton of good toddler utensils out on the market! My biggest criteria for choosing toddler-friendly utensils is taking into account ones that are easy for them to grip and maneuver.
If you’re looking for something durable, I love these fun and colorful Elk and Friends ones. These Munchkin Raise ones are great for younger toddlers, and I like these Munchkin Splash ones that include a (very safe) little butter knife for introducing a new utensil for older toddlers!
And if the Bluey theme really strikes your fancy, fear not! They have Bluey utensils, too! My daughter went through a serious Bluey love affair phase. So I gifted her these utensils to make meals feel special.
Utensils are a learning curve for toddlers! It takes a lot of practice and skill to maneuver utensils effectively, so expect some mess and play up front. That’s totally okay.
It’s also okay for them to use their hands a lot, too. Some kids take longer than others to become proficient with utensils. And for all toddlers, but picky eaters especially, I love for them to touch and play with food. So I really don’t mind at all if they want to use their hands!
Utensils for older kids
For older kids who have a little more dexterity in using utensils, there are a few more great options. I love a stainless steel set like this one.
My daughter’s current favorite utensils are these larger ones from Elk and Friends!
It’s also fun to introduce some other types of utensils like kids chopsticks and these fun mini tongs!
Playing with food is definitely encouraged for picky eaters. I like to use fun utensils whenever possible to just make mealtime an enjoyable experience for kids. If you’ve got a dinosaur or construction vehicle lover, grab those utensils immediately! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen picky eaters show a 10-fold increase in food and mealtime when they’re picking up food with a T-Rex or their favorite construction truck!
Toddler cups
If there is one toddler item that I’ve become passionate about in my years as a parent, it wouldn’t be toddler plates or toddler utensils, it would be toddler CUPS.
If I could retroactively write my Master’s thesis about toddler cups, I would. But instead, I’ve just made this Amazon Board entirely dedicated to them and this blog post that explains the benefits of my different recommendations.
Extra mealtime tools for picky eaters
There are a few other tools that I like to have in my toolbelt when it comes to mealtimes with picky eaters. Having the “right” toddler plates and cups is a great start. But I also want to tell you about a few of my other top items for picky eaters!
Like I mentioned above, making things low pressure and fun at meals can go a long way with picky eaters.
Snack gear for picky eaters
When I’m offering snacks at home, I like to use these colorful cupcake tins! If we need to take snacks on the go, this snack box or this fun snack spinner are my favorites! Your kids can decorate the outside of the boxes with stickers if you think that’ll make them more excited about consuming what’s inside.
Meal gear for picky eaters
For meals where it makes sense (i.e. sandwiches or servings of fruits/veggies), it can be fun to cut things into shapes! I love these dinosaur sandwich cutters, this uncrustable maker, or this multi-shape set! For fruits and veggies, my kids loved when I used these mini shape cutters.
Getting kids involved in meal prep can also be a really effective way to get them more interested in the final product. These kid-safe knives have been a huge win in my house. They feel so grown up getting to cut things up for their meal. And I find that they usually respond a little more favorably to what’s on the menu when they have a hand in preparing it!
And finally, when in doubt, reach for the fun trump card: sprinkles. Yep, I’m giving you permission to put sprinkles on your kid’s breakfast.
Honestly, a sprinkle of sprinkles is pretty negligible in regards to nutrition. I sprinkle it on oatmeal, yogurt, nut butter toast, waffles, French toast…you get the idea. It makes the meal feel fun and special, and it’s one of my favorite fun picky eater hacks!
Feeding tips for parents
If you have a picky eater or are managing meals and snacks for your children, you’re in the right place. I have compiled and created so many resources to hopefully help make this journey a little easier on you!
First of all, I highly recommend checking out this picky eater card deck. These are a physical tool to help your kids interact with and eventually accept more foods through a series of gradual steps.
Second of all, I developed some breakfast choice cards to help picky eaters feel like they have some agency in choosing what’s on their plate. Both of these card tools can go a long way in promoting greater food acceptance.
If your child only eats plain foods or a small number of foods, there is still a way to boost the nutrition of many of those foods. Two of my best nutrient-boosting soldiers that I always keep stocked are Tinysprouts ground flaxseed and Tinysprouts digestion booster (which is a nutrient-dense blend of ground flax and chia seeds). These are rich in fiber, fat, protein, and some vitamins and minerals. And they go great in a smoothie, on a yogurt bowl, in oatmeal, or even in a PB&J.
If you are concerned that your child is lacking in certain nutrients, a multivitamin might be a good place to start. I recommend talking to your child’s doctor before starting any supplements. If you both decide it is a good idea, check out my post on the best multivitamins for toddlers.
Recipes to try for little eaters
I have picky eaters on the brain when I’m developing most of the recipes for my blog! I try to make meals that are both nutritious and approachable. I’ll link some of my favorites below!
