Best Toddler Utensils, Plates, and Cups For Picky Eaters
18 Playful Mealtime Tools These Nutritionists Use to Get Their Kids to Eat Better
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After noticing how mom and registered dietitian nutritionist Jennifer Anderson from the Instagram account kids.eat.in.colour playfully presented healthy foods for kids, I was eager to experiment with my 3-year-old. One night, instead of serving his food on a plate, I pulled out a muffin tin from the cabinet and began filling it with a mix of veggies, fruits, protein and carbs I had on hand and presented this toddler charcuterie of sorts to my son. He was into it. Really into it. In fact, he wiped out the entire muffin tin.
The concept of enticing kids to eat more adventurously and nutritiously by way of muffin tins is one that mom and pediatric dietitian, Ashley, from the Instagram account veggiesandvirtue, created an entire series around with her Muffin Tin Monday posts.
But it doesn't stop with muffin tins. Mom and registered dietitian Kacie Barnes from the Instagram account mamaknows_nutrition gets kids to try healthy foods using playful utensils like forks that look like construction trucks and picks shaped like cartoon veggie characters. Following these accounts opened my eyes to a treasure trove of mealtime accessories that can turn eating into an adventure. If you're looking for a way to introduce an element of fun to your little one's meals and snacks, read on for plenty of ideas!
Muffin Tin Meals
You likely already have one of these stashed in your cabinets, so why not use them to inspire your kids to explore different textures and flavours? Use them to deconstruct dinners you're eating, like a cobb salad or to come up with an easy, last-minute dinner using whatever is leftover in the fridge.
Wilton Recipe Right Non-Stick 6-Cup Standard Muffin Pan
Silicone Baking Cups
These colourful baking cups can be used for so much more than baking! Use them to separate different foods on plates and lunchboxes or to hold dipping sauces to enjoy with fruits, veggies and crackers.
AmazonBasics Reusable Silicone Baking Cups, Pack of 12
Playful Road Plate
Even the most ordinary foods can engage kids when they're set on a playful plate.
Personalized Drivers Plate
Playful Plate With Animals
With this lion plate, tangerines transform into a lion's mane. The food play options are almost endless.
Lion Dress Up Plate
A Fun Fork
This construction vehicle fork makes a serving of bell peppers look irresistible.
Constructive Eating Construction Combo with Utensil Set and Plate
Veggie Letters and Playful Picks
Adding some veggie letters to spell out a message and cute picks to make vegetables and fruits more appealing is an instant mood booster.
LunchBots Small Protein Packer Toddler Bento Box
Torune Food Picks
BENBO Vegetables Fruit Cutter Shape Set
Rice Pandas
Balls of rice become cuddly pandas with a rice mold.
CuteZCute Panda Rice Mold Kit
Travel Snacks
Have a pill organiser? It works brilliantly as a travel case for stashing small bites of food.
Craft Mates Lockables Double Extra Large (2 XL) Organiser
Egg Molds
There are lots of ways to cook and consume an egg, but this sweet fish-shaped egg mold feels extra special.
Fiesta UARTER Egg Press Mold
Veggie Shapes
If your child is opposed to trying a certain fruit or vegetable, you might be surprised by their willingness to try it when it comes in an interesting shape.
LENK Vegetable Cutter Shapes Set
Plates in Cool Shapes
Instead of lumping everything together on a plate, try deconstructing dinner using a compartmentalized plate in a cool shape.
Innobaby Din Din Smart Stainless Divided Platter
Tongs and Chopsticks
Branch out from just offering forks and spoons as utensils, and offer unexpected tools like small tongs or introduce kid-friendly chopsticks.
SENSORY4U Water Beads with Fine Motor Sensory Toys Set
Plum Garden Learning Chopsticks
Skewers
Fruit and veggie kabobs are a visually enticing way to present a rainbow of fruits and veggies. All you need are bamboo cocktail skewers.
Bamboo Cocktail Skewers
Fork Picks
Let tiny fingers explore different foods with a pick. It's more fun and easier to use than a fork and keeps those fingers from getting sticky.
Fork Picks for Kids
Face Mat
From babyhood on, these silicone mats shaped like faces add an element of play and keep food separated.
