Sep. 08, 2025
Is your tot ready for utensils? We've got you covered. Our lineup ranks this year's top 7 toddler utensils, with an option for every age and stage. We've researched the market before purchasing top contenders to send through hands-on testing and side-by-side comparisons to determine the best. We closely looked at each flatware set and evaluated factors such as material, usability, and ease of cleaning. Allow our review to help narrow the options and guide you to the best utensil set for your toddler. We are sure your tot will be happy to have a perfectly sized tool to dish out their food.
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Feeding your toddler is easier with the right supplies. Consider a top-ranked baby plate, sippy cups, or one of our favorite baby bibs to catch messes. To keep your child upright and focused on eating, consider a high chair or the table booster. You may also need a snack catcher for on-the-go eating or a baby food storage system to store leftovers from mealtime.
Editor's Note: We updated our toddler utensil review on May 30, , with specs added to the award sections for easy reference.The Exzact toddler utensils measure about 5.5 inches in length, smaller than adult silverware but more extended than other toddler cutlery we tested. So, they may seem too big in toddlers' smaller hands. The size could influence how well your little one manages the tool, depending on their hand size and coordination. However, they can theoretically use them for longer before growing out of them. Therefore, we recommend this set to older toddlers or preschoolers who need flatware until they can transition to adult-size cutlery. For little tykes ages 12 months and up, the Munchkin Raise Toddler Fork and Spoon Set features an ergonomic handle design.
The Munchkin Raise doesn't have many downsides, except that the design isn't a one-piece construction. The design requires looking around the utensil's seam and the lift feature for gunk to keep it clean. However, this isn't a deal breaker in our minds. If you appreciate a toddler utensil with a unique handle design to keep the tip from touching the table, we suggest the Munchkin Raise for children 12 months and up. For an easy-to-clean option, you can't beat the Exzact Kids Silverware Set.
Unfortunately, this set is pricier than most of the competition. Still, it's worth it if it meets your goals. If you're looking for a beginner cutlery set, we believe it's worth every penny. We think this quality set will help your little one build confidence in cutlery. If you're shopping on a budget, check out the inexpensive Munchkin Raise Toddler Fork and Spoon Set.
After extensive research of today's available products, we purchased each product in our review and sent them through rigorous, side-by-side testing before rating and ranking the competition. While hands-on testing the competition, we evaluated each contender for multiple metrics, such as material, usability, and cleaning ease. We also called on the help of some hungry tots, allowing us to consider their preferences and favorites while scoring the lineup.
BabyGearLab has been testing baby gear since . Leading our review is Molly Bradac, Senior Review Editor and nanny with over 14 years of experience. From her experience with a range of children's ages and developmental stages, Molly recommends a toddler utensil set that may work for your family and needs.
We tested each set of toddler utensils for usability, materials, and ease of cleaning to find the best for most goals and budgets.
Worse ValueBetter ValueAlthough we rank products solely on performance, we can appreciate a good deal. We believe the Munchkin Raise Toddler Fork and Spoon Set is an affordable option that doesn't sacrifice quality. This option has a stainless steel head, which we feel is healthier than plastic, and it's toddler-sized with a unique handle. However, if your budget can stretch, the Exzact Silverware Set provides incredible durability and longevity. Although it does not feature a thick handle, which we consider helpful for beginner eaters, it is a utensil set that will likely last through multiple children until they're ready for adult cutlery. However, if you don't mind plastic and are willing to sacrifice performance because you need something super basic and cheap, the Take & Toss Flatware (now First Years) may fit your needs. This set includes multiples, plenty to toss in your diaper bag, leave some at daycare, and have some for mealtime at home. Since they're so cheap, it's no big deal if you accidentally misplace one.
We examined the competition with eco-health in mind and evaluated each contender's material.
Among the competition, the Exzact Kids Silverware Set ranks high. This solely stainless steel option is durable, long-lasting, and healthier for your little one. The combination of these qualities allowed this contender to rank above others.
The Grabease Ergonomic Baby Utensils, Munchkin Multi Forks and Spoons, and TOMY Take & Toss Toddler Flatware (now First Years) rank low. These contenders are all plastic, and we are not big fans of this material, primarily due to the potential of chemicals leaching into baby's food.
Your tot will need to practice scooping food and successfully bringing it to their mouth (hello, finger control, and hand-eye coordination!), which will likely take time. At times, they'll probably default to using their fingers. Don't fret; they'll eventually master self-feeding. To get them off to a solid start, we suggest selecting a utensil set that is tot-sized and handy (literally). To determine what makes a utensil tot-friendly, we compared the completion. We identified key factors, such as size and shape, that fit little hands, including utensil length and handle width, and overall durability. There's a good chance a utensil will be dropped in the early days of their self-feeding journey. We also gave bonus points to sets that include a kid-friendly knife. We believe this offers versatility and value.
Among the competition, the doddl Cutlery Set ranks high. This beginner cutlery set is designed for little hands and incorporates the most critical qualities. It's small in size, has ergonomic and thick handles that are easy to grip, and offers decent durability. We also gave it bonus points for including a kid-friendly knife, which we consider valuable for mealtimes when your little eater is more advanced.
We are all about convenience; you can't beat a dishwasher-safe product (top-rack preferable). However, not every product is created equal; some require more attention and care than others. While scoring this metric, we lined up the completion to compare and evaluate areas that may hinder the cleaning process, such as hard-to-reach areas or nooks and crannies. We also ranked contenders with materials that we believe tolerate the dishwasher better than those that cause concerns.
Ranking high among the competition is the Exzact Kids Silverware Set. This option is hands down one of the easiest to clean, and thanks to its one-piece stainless-steel design, it has no nooks or crannies to worry about trapped food. The manufacturer states this product is dishwasher safe, and we think there's value in selecting a utensil set that can tolerate high temperatures. Why not choose an easy-breezy product when you already have enough to clean up and worry about?
In Montessori learning, many parents are surprised to see real cutlery and delicate plate wear available to young toddlers and preschoolers. Trust with breakables actually starts in infancy. As soon as a baby can drink water and begin solid foods, parents can skip sippy cups and plastic mealtime accessories all together in favor of high-quality alternatives that engage more Practical Life skills.
Why? When given concrete guidance, babies and toddlers are quite capable to care for real, breakable materials as part of their intrinsic motivation to gain independence. Part of being independent is learning how to move and how to care for things of value. By trusting a child to use real plates, cups and utensils, they internalize a deeper respect for material objects within their environment.
While there is more risk with a young child holding a glass, there is also more opportunity to learn and develop respect, precision, and control of movement.
The reservations we have around giving our children breakables is intuitive, though. Broken glass can result in sharp pieces that pose a hazard, and so using indestructibles might feel safer by eliminating this risk all together. However, when a glass breaks, it provides necessary and immediate feedback. If the child was running, banging, dropping or tossing their cup, the child correlates that their behavior caused the glass to break, and they will proceed with greater caution and self-awareness next time. Thus, by not shielding our children from this natural consequence, we are equipping them with the exact skillset needed to be safe in the long run.
Below, we've rounded up a selection of our favorite choices for Montessori-inspired tableware. Please note that all prices listed were accurate at the time of publishing, and may fluctuate. Please check the 'Buy Now' link for the most up to date pricing:
As we highlighted in our piece about choosing a Montessori bed, before you purchase anything new, look at what you have in your home. Many parents give their children dessert forks and salad spoons from existing cutlery sets they already own — the smaller sized spoons and forks work very well for young children. Parents can also use dipping bowls as small bowls, or appetizer plates for smaller plates.
If you don't already own these items, you can also get creative when searching. Inputting 'dipping bowls' or 'side plates' into a search engine will often bring up smaller-sized options suitable for children. Our point is that what you use or buy doesn't have to branded as 'Montessori' to work.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Kids Stainless Steel Cutlery Set.
Ikea is always reliable option from both a quality and price point of view, and this three-piece cutlery set for kids is no different. This flatware set, crafted from stainless steel is a perfect option for those practising the Montessori method at home. Reviewers rave about the durability, size and the fact that its dishwasher safe.
Price: $3.29 (USD)
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Hutch is a direct-to-consumer kitchenware company that ships worldwide. They know that children sometimes have trouble holding regular-sized cutlery, so they designed this stylish, durable utensil set. It’s crafted from stainless steel and is dishwasher safe.
Price: $19.99 (USD)
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Onyx Containers is a retail and wholesale company dedicated to creating non-plastic alternatives for homes. Their stainless steel set includes a fork, a knife and two spoons. We've linked to a set below that you can buy from The Tickle Trunk, Onyx Container’s sister retail site, but you can also find their products at retail partners across the globe.
Price: $14.99 (USD)
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We love this realistic cooking set for young kids from Melissa and Doug. Constructed from stainless steel and wood, this 7-piece set includes a whisk, ladle, spatula, slotted spoon, spaghetti server, wooden spoon, and holder.
Price: $24.99 (USD)
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For Small Hands has child-sized weaning glasses, plates and cups. These juice classes, for example, encourage the development of independence and confidence in young children. Made from tempered, dishwasher-safe glass, they’re the ideal size for small hands. They also have a large selection of other tableware, bakeware and cookware for children.
Price: $9.99 (USD)
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As we suggested above, one option is to use items you may already own or buy things that aren’t necessarily 'Montessori-branded' but that fit the bill. Ikea shot glasses can double as weaning glasses for children.
Price: $4.99 (USD)
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This set of 12 small dipping bowls is traditionally made to house condiments, but their compact size make them perfect for smaller children.
Price: $33.98 (USD)
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Similar to the dipping bowls we linked above, these lunch plates from Corelle are an affordable way to start introducing real tableware into your child's mealtimes.
Price: $17.99 (USD), but varies depending on location
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