Over the years, I’ve tried a lot of different feeding products with my own children and some have definitely made our lives easier and mealtimes more fun. Here, I’m sharing my favourite toddler feeding products including lunchboxes, cups, plates, utensils, and kitchen tools that I recommend as both a dietitian and a mom. I’ve included practical notes about what I like about each one and when it may be most useful, so you can choose what works best for your child and family. I only recommend products I’ve personally used and genuinely love.
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Just a note, that all of these opinions are my own. This is also not an exhaustive list, and there are certainly many other great feeding products available. The best feeding products are the ones that work best for your child’s abilities, preferences, and your family.
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Toddler & Kids Lunchboxes and Lunch Gear
A great lunchbox can make packing lunches easier and help keep foods organized. These are the lunchboxes I've personally used with my own children and confidently recommend to families. There are of course a ton of lunchboxes out there, and although I have tried out a lot, I have not tried them all!
⭐️OVERALL FAVOURITE
The Good Kiind Lunch Box
The Good Kiind lunchbox is one of our favourite stainless steel lunchboxes. It is durable, easy-to-open, and has a silicone lid lining that helps prevent leaks. It is slightly heavier than other stainless steel options, but still manageable for packing in a backpack.
Best For: Everyday school lunches, especially for younger kids who need an easy-to-open lunchbox that will last for a long time.
⭐️CLASSIC STAINLESS STEEL BENTO
PlanetBox Rover
Another favourite stainless-steel lunchbox with a layout very similar to the Good Kiind. The compartments are slightly shallower (although can still fit a good amount of food) and it does not have the same leak-resistant seal, so foods with more liquid can leak between compartments, but does come in at a lower price point. Easy to open clasp and lid.
Best For: High-quality stainless-steel bento box with spacious five-compartment layout.
⭐️FAVOURITE FOR HOT LUNCHES
OmieBox Bento Box
The OmieBox combines a bento-style lunchbox with a removable insulated thermos, making it easy to pack a warm main alongside cold foods. The thermos can also be removed when you want more space for a completely cold lunch. It is a bit heavier and bulkier than a traditional bento box, and younger children may need some practice opening the thermos independently.
Best For: Kids who enjoy warm lunches and families who want a bento box and thermos combined in one container.
⭐️BEST PRICE POINT
Bentgo 5-Compartment Bento Style lunch Box
Bentgo is a great budget-friendly option and they have a ton of fun designs. Good size compartments, and they now have a stainless steel version (I have not tested out the stainless steel option). Bentgo is also great if you want a complete matching set (cutlery, water bottles, backpack etc). The plastic latches can be tricky for some younger children to open. The version we own is also not one I would use for foods with much liquid.
Best For: Families looking for a good, reliable kid-friendly lunchbox at a much more accessible price point.
I haven't personally tried the Yumbox but have heard positive reviews, so I wanted to include an additional note about this lunchbox as an option! It is similar to Bentgo, accessible price point, have really fun designs inside on the compartments and have both a BPA free material and stainless steel option.
Snack Containers
⭐️GREAT FOR SMALLER SNACKS
The Good Kiind Snack Buddy
This is a great stainless-steel, two-compartment snack container that’s perfect for pairing a couple of different foods. It isn’t designed for liquids, although I do sometimes use it for thicker foods like yogurt. It is smaller than some other snack containers, so the size may be a little limiting depending on how much food you typically pack.
Best For: Stainless-steel, two-compartment snack container for packing two different foods.
⭐️BEST FOR BIGGER SNACKS AND LEAKPROOF CONTAINER
Bentgo
Bentgo has really levelled up their containers. This is a roomy, stainless-steel snack container with two compartments for easily pairing a couple of different foods, and the lid is leak-proof! Great option for packing foods like yogurt or dips.
Best For: A larger stainless-steel snack container for packing two different foods, including thick liquid foods.
Plates & Bowls
⭐️MOST VERSATILE PLATE
Nook Theory Bamboo Plates
I'm a huge fan of these cute bamboo plates from Nook Theory! They come in a variety of fun designs, are light, durable, and easy to clean. Ours have been thrown/dropped multiple times and have still held up (although these aren't 100% shatter proof!).
Best For: Everyday meals, snacks and easy lunches at home.
⭐️GREAT STAINLESS STEEL DIVIDED PLATE
Elk & Friends Stainless Steel Divided Plates
I also like having a divided plate, especially because my daughter sometimes prefers her foods to stay in separate compartments. These stainless-steel plates are durable and come with a silicone suction sleeve to help them grip the table (although a determined child could likely still lift it up and throw!). These plates also come with a lid which I love using for picnics.
Best For: Kids who prefer their foods separated and families looking for a durable divided plate for everyday meals and meals to take on-the-go.
⭐️GREAT EVERYDAY STAINLESS STEEL BOWL
Elk & Friends Stainless Steel Suction Bowls
These sturdy stainless-steel bowls come with a silicone suction sleeve to help them grip the table, which I found did work quite well. These bowls are great for oatmeal, yogurt, cereal, soups and snacks, making them a versatile option for everyday meals. Easy to clean. They also come with a lid for packing on the go!
Best For: Spoon-based meals, snacks and everyday foods that are easier to serve in a deeper bowl.
⭐️ BEST BUILT-IN PLACEMAT AND PLATE FOR EARLY SELF-FEEDING
EZPZ Mini Mat
We really enjoyed a lot of the EZPZ products when starting our feeding journey, especially the Mini Mat (and then the Happy Mat). I like the all-in-one plate and placemat design because it stayed in place well and helped contain some of the mess during meals. The three divided sections were also helpful to separate out foods. My children were still able to lift this up and throw it at times. I also appreciate that they are designed by a pediatric feeding expert!
Best For: Babies and toddlers learning to self feed and can benefit from a sturdy placemat built-in design.
⭐️GREAT FOR EARLY SELF-FEEDING
Elk & Friends Silicone Suction Plate
These silicone suction plates were a great option when my kids were younger. I preferred the softer material while they were still eating with their hands a lot, and the suction helped the plates stay securely in place on both the high chair and table.
Best For: Younger eaters still learning on self-feeding and can benefit from a sturdy plate.
⭐️MOST FUN AND PERSONALIZED
Dylbug Personalized Plates
I got each of my girls a personalized plate from Dylbug, and they’ve had so much fun with them! I love that the playful design encourages kids to interact with and explore food in a fun, pressure-free way. You can customize each plate with your child’s name and choose the image of the little person.
Best For: Adding a playful, personalized touch to mealtimes and encouraging kids to have fun exploring food.
Cups & Water Bottles
There is no shortage of cups and water bottles out there to choose from! Here are a few of my favourites.
⭐️BEST FIRST OPEN CUP
EZPZ Tiny Cup
This little silicone cup is a perfect first cup for little ones learning to drink from an open cup. Its small size is easy for little hands to hold, and is a soft silicone material. It holds only two ounces, which also makes those inevitable spills a little more manageable while they practise.
Best For: Babies beginning to practise drinking from a small open cup.
⭐️GREAT BASIC STRAW CUP
Dr. Brown's First Straw Cup
We used a few different straw cups when my kids were first learning to drink from a straw, and this was one of our favourites. I liked the weighted straw and easy-to-hold handles, and it came with cleaning brushes to make washing the straw easier. It’s also available at a very accessible price point.
Best For: Babies and toddlers learning to drink from a straw cup.
⭐️GREAT BASIC WATER BOTTLE
Skip Hop Toddler Water Bottle
I like these lightweight water bottles for the toddler years. They come in lots of fun designs, and have a lid that is easy to open and a straw that is similar to the straw cup they used when they were younger. Their smaller size also fits easily into daycare bags, backpacks and most cup holders.
Best For: Toddlers who are ready for straw water bottle for daycare, preschool and outings.
⭐️GREAT FOR SMOOTHIES
Elk & Friends Smoothie Cups with Sleeves
We’ve loved using these versatile smoothie cups with silicone sleeves. They come with lids with straws for drinks and fully sealing lids, so they can also be used for storing snacks or leftovers. The cups are glass, so some caution is still needed, although the silicone sleeve adds extra protection. Stainless-steel versions are also available.
Best For: Smoothies and thicker drinks for toddlers and kids.
Toddler Kitchen Tools
⭐️BEST FOR SAFE COOKING
Montessori Kitchen Tools for Toddlers
We love our Montessori kitchen set for kids! It comes with child-friendly knives and a peeler, along with a fun crinkle cutter, fruit and vegetable shape cutters, and a small wooden chopper. It has made cooking together much more fun, and I feel more comfortable giving kids their own child-sized tools to use with close adult supervision.
Best For: Toddlers and kids who enjoy helping in the kitchen and learning simple food-preparation skills with adult supervision.
⭐️BEST FOR HELPING IN THE KITCHEN AND COOKING TOGETHER
Toddler Tower
A toddler tower has been one of our most-used kitchen tools. It gives kids a sturdy place to stand at counter height so they can help with washing produce, mixing, pouring and other simple kitchen tasks. It has made it much easier to involve my kids in cooking and everyday kitchen activities. Bonus: many convert into a little kid's table and have a slide! We got one off Etsy, and there are lots on Amazon.
Best For: Toddlers and young children who enjoy helping in the kitchen and participating in simple food preparation.
Fun Extras
⭐️BEST FOR HOMEMADE YOGURT POUCHES
Reusable Yogurt Pouches
These reusable pouches make it easy to prepare homemade yogurt or smoothie pouches using your child’s favourite ingredients. I love that they can be filled ahead of time and stored in the fridge or freezer for quick snacks and lunchboxes. They’re also a practical alternative to continually buying single-use pouches.
Best For: Homemade yogurt and smoothie pouches for snacks, lunchboxes and eating on the go.
⭐️GREAT FOR FUN SANDWICHES
Sandwich Shape Cutters and Sealers
These cutters are a fun way to change up a simple sandwich and make homemade sealed uncrustable sandwiches for lunches or snacks. They come in different shapes and can help seal the edges around your child’s favourite fillings. This set also comes with smaller shape cutters.
Best For: Making fun-shaped sandwiches and homemade sealed sandwiches for lunchboxes.
⭐️GREAT FOR MAKING COMPARTMENTS IN LUNCHBOXES
Colourful Silicone Muffin Liners
These colourful silicone muffin liners are an easy way to create extra compartments inside a lunchbox and help keep smaller foods separated (in addition to being used to make muffins!). I use them for everything from fruit and vegetables to crackers, cheese and other little sides. They also add a fun pop of colour and can be washed and reused.
Best For: Creating smaller sections inside lunchboxes and keeping snacks and sides separated.
⭐️BEST FOR MESSY MEALS
Bibado Coverall Bib
I know opinions can be mixed on whether children need to wear a coverall bib while eating, but sometimes as a parent you just need a little extra support with the mess! We loved our Bibado and ended up buying several more over the years. It provides much more coverage than a traditional bib, with sleeves to help protect clothing and a bottom section that attaches around the high-chair tray to catch food that might otherwise end up in your child’s lap or on the floor.
Best For: Very messy meals where you don't feel like trying to get yogurt or blueberry stains out of your child's clothing.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’ve found some of these feeding gear recommendations helpful! These are products that have made mealtimes, lunch packing and cooking with my kids a little easier over the years. If there’s a feeding product your family loves that I haven’t included, let me know. I’d love to hear about it and check it out!
Product Recommendation Disclaimer: These recommendations are based on my personal experience and opinions at the time of writing. Product features, materials, prices and availability can change, so please review the current product information provided by the manufacturer or retailer before purchasing. Every child and family is different, and you are responsible for deciding whether a product is appropriate for your child’s individual needs and abilities. The Toddler Kitchen does not manufacture or sell these products and is not responsible for their quality, performance, availability, shipping, returns or warranties. Any purchases are made directly through the third-party retailer and are subject to that retailer’s terms and policies. This content is for general informational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical, feeding or developmental advice.