Kids Dinnerware Made Simple: What to Look for and What to Avoid

As a parent, choosing kids dinnerware might feel like one of those tiny everyday tasks- but it can have an impact on your child’s health and the planet.

In this guide, we’ll break down what makes kids dinnerware safe, sustainable, and practical for family life. No overwhelm, just the facts.

Kids Dinnerware: Why It Matters More Than You Think

Kids dinnerware isn’t just about the size, cute factor and practicality- it can actually directly impact your child’s health and development. Materials that come into contact with food can affect safety, exposure to toxins, and long-term wellbeing. We've done a whole blog post about the health effects of certain dinnerware materials that you can read here). 

But essentially, what comes in to contact with your food matters.

What to Look for in Safe Kids Dinnerware

Here are a few key features to keep in mind:

1. Non-toxic and Free from Harmful Chemicals: Many kids dinnerware sets contain hidden plastics like melamine or BPA. While they might be labelled "BPA-free," they can still leach harmful chemicals when heated. Even bamboo dinnerware more often than not will contain melamine as the binder. So make sure to read that fine print.

2. Dishwasher and Microwave Safe: Parents need convenience. Good dinnerware should handle the dishwasher and, ideally, the microwave without degrading or releasing toxins. A quick giveaway- if the dinnerware isn't marketed as microwave safe, then it likely isn't safe for food contact at hight temperatures due to chemical leaching with heat.

3. Resistant to Stains and Odours:
Meals can be messy- tomato sauce, curry, bolognaise. Safe dinnerware should be non-porous to resist absorbing food colours and smells, which can also harbour bacteria over time, not to mention the affects on smell and taste come mealtime.  

6. Environmentally Friendly:
Let's be clear here- research shows that plastic plates usually go straight in to landfill at their end of life, and even when they're still in use they can break down in to microplastics, causing issues for both the health of the planet and people. Products should be thoughtfully designed from production to disposal.  

7. FDA& CE certified and Independently Tested:

When it comes to kids’ dinnerware, FDA & CE certifications mean the materials have been tested and meet strict safety standards for food contact. 

What Not to Buy

1. Melamine: Common in many “bamboo” plates, melamine is a plastic binding agent that can release toxins when heated. Always check the fine print, if a bamboo product isn’t 100% plant-based, it probably contains melamine (Click on the following if you want to read our full blog post "Is Melamine Dinnerware Safe?")

2. Cheap plastic sets: Even BPA-free plastics can break down over time, especially when microwaved or washed frequently. This can lead to microplastic exposure. (Again, if you want to read more on this you can check out our blog post "Plastic Free Kids Plates: Does It Really Matter?"

3. Strong chemical smells or dyes: If it smells plastic-y or the colours seem overly vibrant, it might contain artificial dyes or plasticisers that aren’t ideal for little mouths.

4. Microwave-Unsafe Products :  As mentioned above, if the packaging doesn’t clearly say “microwave-safe,” assume it isn’t. Many composite plastics or bamboo-melamine blends are unsafe at high temperatures and are known to release toxins. It's a quick giveaway!

5. Greenwashed Products: Just because something says “eco” or “natural” doesn’t make it safe. Look out for vague claims like “eco-friendly,” “non-toxic,” or “natural” without certifications or clear material breakdowns. If a brand doesn’t list its materials transparently, that’s a red flag.

What Kids Dinnerware We Recommend Instead

1. 100% Plant-Based Dinnerware:

Just like our EcoCubs kids dinnerware! The difference is our range is 100% plant based, without the harmful plastic or melamine binders and chemicals. Our plant-based dinnerware is made from all natural materials, and it's 100% non-toxic and compostable- a rare find in today’s market!

Not only this, all of our dinnerware is FDA and CE certified, and has been independently tested for biodegradability, microwave and dishwasher safety, and chemical food contact safety (we truly have taken the hard work out of it for you!)

2. High-Quality Stainless Steel:

Stainless steel is one of the safest, most durable options available. It doesn’t leach chemicals, it’s endlessly recyclable, and it holds up to wild toddler mealtimes. It’s also easy to clean and a great long-term choice for families trying to cut down on plastic.

But like bamboo, not all stainless steel is created equal, many cheaper products may rust or contain unwanted additives like lead. That’s why at EcoCubs, we only use premium food-grade stainless steel (304), free from toxins like lead, cadmium, and phthalates. Our stainless steel plates and bowls are also CE and FDA certified, independently material tested (in fact, we even did our own lead testing at home!) and thoughtfully designed for particularly wild little bears.

3. Wooden

Now here we are talking actually wood or bamboo in it's a natural state (like the our beechwood baby spoons). Natural wood makes a beautiful, safe, and sustainable option for little ones. Just make sure the wood is sealed with non-toxic, food-grade finishes. Of course, there is a downside to this one in that it's not the most convenient and requires hand wash and a particular type of TLC to maintain its integrity.

4. The Right Silicone:

Silicone is flexible, durable, and safer than plastic, but again, not all silicone is created equal and due to issues with it's recyclability and sensitivity to absorbing flavours and smells, it's not our favourite.

If you do opt for silicone however, look for LFGB-certified or platinum-grade silicone, and avoid any with fillers as cheap brands will often dilute silicone with plastic to lower the manufacturing cost. While we offer silicone accessories, as above it’s not our top pick in large quantities, making plant-based or steel options our preferred choice. (We also offer the Silicone Send Back Scheme for the small amounts of silicone in our products, as a way to help with the end of life problem)

6. Glass / Ceramics:
Both glass and ceramic dinnerware are non-toxic and free from harmful chemicals, making them safe from a food contact materials standpoint. Glass is also widely recyclable and considered more environmentally friendly than plastic. However, when it comes to small children, these materials come with some major downsides (unfortunately we learnt that the hard way!). They're prone to breaking or chipping when dropped, something that’s almost guaranteed during toddler mealtimes. Even tempered glass or reinforced ceramics can pose safety risks from sharp fragments. For families with little ones, we think they’re best reserved for adult use or special occasions rather than the chaos of daily meals.  

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right kids dinnerware might seem like a small decision, but it’s one that impacts your child’s health, safety, and the planet. Avoiding plastics and harmful chemicals, and opting for durable, non-toxic materials helps make mealtime safer and more sustainable , without having to compromise on convenience for busy homes.

At EcoCubs, we’re proud to offer products designed with busy parents and little ones in mind, so you can feel confident in your choices. We love doing the research so you don't have to!