The Best Plastic-Free Feeding Gear for Babies and Kids
Whether you're ready to go all in or just swap a few everyday items, these are our favorite plastic-free feeding products.
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When my oldest son was born more than a decade ago, I’ll admit I didn't think much about plastic feeding gear. We had plastic bottles, plastic cups, plastic snack containers—you name it. And honestly? It wasn't something that kept me up at night.
Somewhere between having my first and my second, though, my thinking started to shift. Not because I fell down a research rabbit hole or decided every piece of plastic had to leave my house immediately, but because I started paying a little more attention. As someone who tests and reviews baby gear for a living, I dug deeper into the research. I started hearing from more and more parents about their concerns around plastics in feeding gear. And almost as importantly, I realized something surprising: swapping out plastic feeding gear wasn't nearly as overwhelming as I'd assumed. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. And compared to a decade ago, the options today are so much better.
The science around plastics is still evolving. Researchers know that heat and wear can cause some plastics to break down over time, releasing tiny plastic particles called microplastics, and there's ongoing research into how certain chemicals used in plastics may affect human health—especially during early childhood. While there are still plenty of unanswered questions, many families choose to reduce plastic where it's practical, particularly when it comes to items that come into contact with food.
Whether you’re team zero plastics, simply plastic-curious or somewhere in between, this guide can help. You don't have to replace everything overnight—or ever. Maybe you're perfectly happy with plastic plates but want a stainless steel water bottle. Maybe you want glass food storage containers but don't mind silicone bowls during the baby stage. Or maybe you just want to make one small swap and call it a day. All of those approaches are okay. Pick the changes that make sense for your family, your budget and your comfort level, and leave the rest.
What to Know About Plastic-Free Materials
Not all plastic-free materials are the same, and the best ones for your family (most parents mix and match) depend on your kid's age, how you use it, and honestly, how much you want to hand-wash things. Here's a quick rundown.
Silicone
While technically a plastic polymer, silicone behaves very differently from traditional plastic—it's heat-stable, doesn't leach the same chemicals and is widely considered safer for feeding gear. It's soft and flexible, making it ideal for the earliest stages of solids, when gums and grip strength are still developing. The main trade-off: silicone retains a soapy taste over time if it isn't rinsed well, and it can hold onto food odors with extended use.
Bamboo
Lightweight and sustainable, bamboo is an option for plates, bowls and cups once your kid is past the baby stage. Most bamboo products require hand-washing, which is worth knowing upfront. One thing to check: some bamboo products use melamine as a binder, so look for bamboo-only or food-safe certified options.
Porcelain
Porcelain—clay fired at high heat—is non-porous, which means it won't absorb food odors, soap residue or stains. It's dishwasher- and microwave-safe and one of the most worry-free materials for feeding gear once your kid is reliably past the throwing stage. The obvious trade-off: it breaks. But if it doesn't, it lasts indefinitely.
Glass
Glass is one of the best options for plastic-free feeding gear: non-porous, doesn't leach chemicals, handles heat well and lasts for years. For food storage especially, it's hard to beat. The catch is weight and breakability, which matters more for some categories (cups, water bottles) than others (at-home food storage, where it's basically ideal).
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is the workhorse of plastic-free feeding gear. It’s durable, stain-resistant, odor-free and nearly indestructible. It's the best choice for water bottles, lunch boxes and cups that need to hold up to daily use and the occasional throw across the kitchen. Just know it conducts heat, so hot food can make plates and cups hot to the touch, and it's not microwave-safe.
🍽️ The Best Plastic-Free Bowls and Plates for Babies and Toddlers
Silicone was my go-to for both of my children's first plates, mostly because I didn't love the idea of metal anywhere near a baby who was still figuring out how a spoon worked. The catch is that silicone retains a soapy taste over time, so once my boys outgrew the suction-plate stage, I started looking for something non-porous. Bamboo is a nice step up—lightweight and sustainable, though you usually need to hand-wash it. Porcelain is where I landed for a while, since it doesn't hold onto odors or soap residue the way silicone can, but honestly, once I trusted my kids not to toss a plate across the room (which happened sooner than I thought, a nice surprise), switching to our regular plates wasn't far behind.
ezpz Tiny Bowl - Sage
From $16.99This silicone bowl is my favorite place to start when you're kicking off solids, whether you're doing purees, baby-led weaning or a combo of both. I used it with both of my kids and loved that it was small, easy to manage and stuck to almost any surface. Silicone isn't always my first choice for feeding gear—it can develop a soapy taste over time if you don't clean it properly—but I never ran into that issue here, since we only used it for a short stretch.
When it's time to size up but you still want something that sticks in place, this bamboo divided plate is a solid plastic-free option. Three sections and easy-scoop sides make it extra toddler-friendly. The only downside: you'll have to hand-wash it.
With a four-point suction base, this is my top pick for babies and toddlers who like to warm up their pitching arm at mealtime. It's on the larger side, so keep that in mind if your high chair tray runs small, but it's dishwasher and microwave-safe, and a good value for a pack of three.
Elk and Friends Kids Porcelain Divided Plates with Silicone Sleeves
From $17.39Porcelain (clay fired at high heat) is one of my favorite plastic-free materials for feeding gear. It's non-porous, so it won't absorb food odors or soap, it's dishwasher and microwave-safe, and it stays warm without any risk of overheating. Once your little one is past the throwing stage (🙌), this is my favorite set to graduate to. The silicone sleeve adds grip and stability; just know there's no suction.
For something lighter and less breakable, this bamboo set is a great option. The plates are lightweight but sturdy, don't hold heat and are budget-friendly. They're top-rack dishwasher safe and hold up well even after extended use.
The main draw of stainless is durability—no other material holds up quite as well. Like porcelain, it won’t hold odors or soap residue, and it’s completely stain-resistant. Just know these aren’t microwave safe, and stainless steel conducts heat easily, so hot food can make the plate hot to the touch.
Other Plastic-Free Bowls and Plates We Love
🍴 The Best Plastic-Free Utensils for Babies and Toddlers
Like with plates, I started both of my kids on silicone utensils. They’re soft on new gums and forgiving if they end up on the floor (which they always do). As they got better with a spoon, we moved to stainless steel, which is durable and most closely resembles adult utensils.
If you're exploring baby-led weaning, this soft-tipped silicone spoon is my top choice. The ribbed "stem" is easy to grab and the tip is flexible enough that your little one can scoop food at any angle.
Beaba Baby's First Foods Silicone Spoons (Pack of 4) - Pebble
From $24.99For purees, these are my go-to. The long handle is easy to grab, so you won’t tweak your wrist feeding baby, and the silicone is really soft on baby’s gums.
Once your baby's ready for more traditional flatware, these have wide, soft silicone handles so little hands can grip them more easily. The fork's also slightly rounded to help prevent unwanted pokes.
I like these for slightly older toddlers ready for more "grown-up" utensils. The handles are thinner and more closely mimic adult flatware, but the silicone sleeves still make them easy to grab.
🥤The Best Plastic-Free Cups for Toddlers
The bottle-to-cup transition has a few stages. For the youngest drinkers, I'd start with something soft, like a silicone training cup, and water only. (Get ready for spills.) Once you're past that stage, stainless steel takes over as the reliable pick, with the occasional glass option if you want to skip metal entirely.
Just like the brand's Tiny Bowl, ezpz's Tiny Cup is my plastic-free go-to for new drinkers. This training set covers all the bases: a two-ounce starter cup for the bottle-to-cup transition, a larger four-ounce version with a straw and an eight-ounce option for older toddlers.
Once your toddler’s mastered the open cup, I love this mini tumbler from British enamelware mainstay Falcon. It’s just over two inches tall, perfect for tiny hands and dishwasher safe.
These stainless tumblers have lived in my kitchen cabinet for over a decade. They’re ideal for toddlers through teens (and adults too), indoors and outdoors, and it's hard to beat the price or durability.
Elk and Friends 10oz Stainless Steel Kids + Toddler Drinking Cups
From $34.99Just like the Greens Steel Tumblers, these straw cups are a kitchen staple at our house—and a true workhorse. We mainly use them for smoothies, and I love that the silicone sleeve blocks the cold (since stainless conducts heat and cold), keeping little hands more comfortable. There's also a glass version if you'd rather skip stainless.
Owala’s kids’ line is stylish, durable, functional and plastic-free. This stainless tumbler is easy to clean—a huge win for any cup or water bottle—and spill-resistant.
Beaba Stainless Steel Straw Sippy Cup - Oat
From $24.99There’s a lot of plastic in most sippy cups, so this stainless option is a nice exception. And almost just as important—it’s 100% watertight and leakproof open, closed and upside down.
đź’§The Best Plastic-Free Water Bottles for Kids
A fully plastic-free water bottle is harder to find than I imagined. Most non-plastic picks are really "almost” plastic-free, with a plastic straw or lid even when the body is stainless steel. If you’re okay with some plastic, you’ll have many more options.
Finding a 100% plastic-free kids' water bottle is nearly impossible. (Many have plastic straws, lids or tops.) The Kiki uses zero plastic, so if that's your top priority, it's a great choice. Just know it's not leakproof.
For an almost plastic-free option (the top is plastic, but the straw is silicone), the Funtainer is durable, keeps water chilly and is easy enough to clean. It’s fully leakproof when the top is closed, but I’ve found it can leak slightly if left open and tipped upside down.
If you’re okay with a plastic top and straw, the Yeti Jr. is your best bet. My preschooler has dropped, thrown and kicked his, and it’s none worse for the wear two years in. The stainless steel keeps water cold even on the hottest days.
When your little one's ready to step up to a more "big kid" water bottle, Owala's FreeSip comes in enough colors to satisfy any picky toddler, and it won't take you two hours to clean every night. I've owned several kid and adult versions of this bottle and love them all.
Other Plastic-Free Water Bottles We Love
🍎 The Best Plastic-Free Food Storage and Lunch Boxes for Kids
My oldest son is in middle school and I'm still using glass food storage containers I bought when he started solids over a decade ago, which tells you something about how long these materials last compared to plastic. Stainless steel is the other staple here: it travels well, doesn't hold onto smells and can go from snack box to lunch box for years without looking worse for it.
OXO Tot Baby Blocks 12-Piece Food Storage Container Set - Opal
From $24.99Twelve+ years into parenting and you’ll still find these glass containers in my kitchen drawers 🤷🏻‍♀️. They work for purees, fruit, snacks, dips—you name it. They’re incredibly durable, leakproof and can go from fridge to freezer to heat.
This stainless bento is just the right size for snacks on the go, plane rides or road trips. It’s another cabinet staple—I use it just as much for my preschooler as I do for my tween.
If you’re even considering a stainless bento-style lunch box for your kid, stop what you’re doing right now and just buy this one. Yes, it’s expensive, but it’ll last from the preschool days all the way through middle school. There’s simply nothing better.
If silicone is more your speed, Austin Baby Co makes the sweetest designs. Each compartment is airtight to prevent leaks, and the whole thing is microwave- and top-rack dishwasher-safe.
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