Our Guide to the Best Non-Toxic Kidâs DinnerwareÂ
Long before I started EcoCubs and our range of non toxic kids dinnerware, I was just a parent using the standard dinnerware from the shops. It wasn't until I was pregnant with my second, and starting to learn about things like microplastics, hidden chemical, and the problems with heating standard kids dinnerware, that I really looked in to it. It was shocking to find that products that were being marketed as âeco-friendlyâ or âbambooâ were often still full of plastic, or worse, toxic binders like formaldehyde-based melamine.
So, I went down the rabbit hole of non-toxic options (so far down in fact, that I ended up creating my own brand!). And if you're here reading this, Iâm guessing you're now in that same boat- looking for safe, practical alternatives that wonât harm your kids (or the planet).
Let me help you skip the hours of research, because trust me- I've already done it! Below is what you actually need to know when choosing the best non-toxic kids dinnerware.

The Problem with Standard Kidsâ Dinnerware
Most mass-produced kids plates and bowls on the market are made from plastic or melamine, often with bright colours, cartoon prints, that use synthetic dyes, pigments and coatings. Here's the issue that can come with that:
- Melamine is made with formaldehyde, a chemical that can leach into food when exposed to heat (like in the microwave or dishwasher). This combo has raised enough health concerns that melamine-based bamboo dinnerware has been banned in parts of the EU for children under 3, and strongly discouraged for all food contact by the European Food Safety Authority. We've actually done a whole blog post on this before, if you do want to read more about it (Is Melamine Dinnerware Safe? Exploring the Hidden Dangers)
- Plastic, even when labelled âBPA-freeâ or when using recycled plastic dinnerware, can still break down into microplastics over time, especially when exposed to heat (think microwaves, dishwashers, or even hot food). These microplastics can leach into food and have been found in everything from human placentas to children's stools. It's alarming and sadly, most plastic kidsâ dinnerware and products will inevitably falls into this category (again, you can check out another of our blog posts:Â Plastic Free Kids Plates: Does It Really Matter?)
- Many labelled âbambooâ products still contain melamine or plastic binders- see above- so the still have these same issues. meaning theyâre not truly biodegradable or compostable â and often end up as waste anyway. Â
- The environmental impact is of course huge as well. Conventional plastic and melamine contributes to plastic waste that can take hundreds to thousands of years to degrade, breaking down into microplastics (see above) that contaminate oceans, rivers, soil, and air. Â

So, What is the Best Non Toxic Kids Dinnerware Materials: Our Front Runners
1) Plant-based fibres. *Note- this is NOT the same as straightforward bamboo!*

Enter 100% plant-based dinnerware. Many still contain bamboo, but instead of synthetic resins like melamine, they use natural binders made from plant starch or sugarcane. These materials are designed to be biodegradable and compostable, breaking down into natural components without leaving harmful residues. Thereâs also a heap of environmental benefits to choosing plant-based dinnerware over non disposable plastic plates.
And this is where my search led me when I first created our small business.
EcoCubs bamboo dishes are certified 100% plant-based dinnerware. Made from 70% bamboo fibres and 30% plant-based starch binder such as corn or PLA. Theyâre also simple in design, without the tacky cartoon characters, and will suit any home. As an extra bonus, theyâre dishwasher AND microwave safe. I wanted health and sustainability⊠but I also value easy!

2) Stainless SteelÂ

Itâs also why we decided to release our collection of Stainless Steel cutlery, bowls and plates. A range that we spent over a year perfecting with our own bears. We wanted to make sure the practicality of stainless steel could go toe to toe with the other important factors like cuteness and ergonomics.
3) Raw Wood or Bamboo (as in, in its natural state!)
Bamboo and wood are also naturally durable and resistant to staining, which makes them ideal for everyday use by kids. Bamboo, in particular, is lightweight yet incredibly strong, making it easy for little ones to handle. Without all the usual additives, theyâre naturally non-toxic.Â

Once parents started to request a safe suction option for their younger children, I decided to release EcoCubs Bamboo Suction Range. The suction feature on our bowls and plates have been tested and verified by my three wild bears. However, as they are natural in their composition they obviously canât go in the dishwasher. A small compromise to consider when looking at opting for bamboo or wood dinnerware.
4) Silicone Dinnerware
(although the jury is still out on this one!)

So why are we still undecided? Because while technically, silicone is recyclable⊠thereâs not really anywhere to recycle it! And Iâve looked! Which means it will likely end up in landfill. While it wonât necessarily leak harmful toxins into the earth like plastic does, I will always prefer an easily compostable or recyclable material. So for us, it isn't the best option for non toxic kids dinnerware.
For this reason, Iâve opted to use silicone sparingly in our products and more importantly, chose to start EcoCubs Silicone Send Back Scheme. This program allows customers to return any EcoCubs silicone to us and weâll return them to our manufacturer for reuse.
5) Ceramic or Glass
This one is safe but not always practical for kids, which is why we haven't gone down this route for our own brand! Ceramic and glass are naturally non-toxic and donât leach chemicals into food. Theyâre easy to clean, durable for adults, and recyclable. However, when it comes to kids:
- They break easily. Young children drop things a lot, and broken ceramic or glass isnât just inconvenient and can become a safety hazard.
- Ceramics are tricky to recycle. While glass is highly recyclable, many ceramics end up in landfill because their glaze or mixed materials make them incompatible with standard recycling processes

For these reasons, while ceramic and glass are great in theory, theyâre not our go-to for everyday kidsâ dinnerware. We prefer options that can handle the chaos of toddler life and reduce environmental impact.
The Bottom Line When it Comes to the Best Non Toxic Kids Dinnerware
When hunting for your kidâs dinnerware, I get the options can be overwhelming. The main thing to consider is non-toxic materials that minimise the risk of microplastic and chemical contamination for your family and the planet.
While the choices certainly arenât endless, they are out there! I hope this helps to ease your mind when it comes to the concerning research and assist in narrowing down the choices for your own home x
