Best Utensils for Toddlers and Kids, According to a Pediatric RD
March 2018
Last reviewed: June 2022
Author:
Jennifer Anderson, MSPH, RDN
Coauthors:
Erinn Jacobi, M.S. OTR/L
About Kids Eat in Color
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Author:
Jennifer Anderson, MSPH, RDN
Coauthors:
Erinn Jacobi, M.S. OTR/L
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After your child graduates from their first set of baby utensils, they’ll be ready for cutlery that’s a little more fun and exciting. And the older they get, chances are, they’ll get more and more interested in the utensils they’re using.
The “best” utensils will vary by child and by family. There’s no one set that works for everyone. But, to make your search easier, we’ve rounded up our favorite tools and utensils for toddlers and kids that they’ll actually like and will help keep them engaged when at the table.
Kid utensils are important tools for mealtimes, and they’re also a great way to develop motor skills in kids.
Utensils can also help get kids interested in eating, especially picky eaters. Some kids are more likely to eat with a new utensil or tool in front of them.
Picky eating can be a difficult stage for any family to deal with. Though utensils can help get kids make eating fun for kids, sometimes they need more to keep them engaged. If you’re struggling with picky eating, here are some resources that can help.
If you need more support, our BetterBites Picky Eating Courses can give you the tools you need to reduce your stress and teach your child how to eat new foods.
These courses help you determine the cause of your child’s picky eating and give you strategies to end your food struggles. Get the course today!
How do I know if these utensils are safe for my child?
Utensils can be safely introduced to kids with supervision and by using appropriately-sized utensils.
We’ve put approximate ages on our list of kid utensils below, but as with all things kid related, use your common sense! If your child may hurt themselves or you feel they are not ready for a particular utensil, then choose safer kids silverware until you feel comfortable.
Best utensils for toddlers & kids
Here are our picks for the best eating utensils for toddlers and kids.
1. Best eating utensils for toddlers & babies: basic colorful utensils
Age: 6 mo+
Kids (even older ones!) love simple utensils.
They are basic, inexpensive and just right for child hands. And, if lost, they are easy to replace. They are classic kid utensils.
The other benefit is that they look like “adult” cutlery, so they may work for toddlers who want what the adults have but aren’t ready for a huge fork.
Long toothpicks are also called “cocktail toothpicks” or “party toothpicks.”
If your child is still putting random objects in their mouth, do not pick toothpicks that have a decoration on the end! Sometimes the decorations come off and could pose a choking hazard. Wait at least until they are 3 years old for the decorated toothpicks.
There are other toothpicks that don’t have decorations. In some cases, they may be appropriate for a younger child to use as a fork with careful supervision.
6. Fun utensils for toddlers and kids: food picks
Age: 3 years+
Food picks are fun for preschoolers. Sometimes kids are ready for them before age 3, but the child must be old enough to not put the pick into their mouth. Food picks should always be used with supervision.
We like these utensils because:
They are easy.
You can easily transform a lunch into something “cute” or “fancy.”
They add fun to a meal.
They can help get picky eaters interested in foods.
Pick ones that will make you and your child smile. Pandas make us smile every time.
They come in different “levels” (easy, medium and harder).
Additional developmental skills are gained when the kids learn to use them.
Make sure you get right-handed or left-handed trainer chopsticks if the chopsticks can only be used in one hand.
8. Chopsticks as cutlery for kids
Age: 3 years+
Children can develop chopstick skills when they are exposed to them frequently. Having chopsticks available as a utensil at meals can provide practice.
You can use these chopsticks without the trainer aides. The chopsticks themselves are great.
9. Corn cob holders make interesting and fun utensils for kids
Age: 5 years+
As we all know, corn cob skewers are very sharp. We only recommend using them once your child has a good amount of common sense and careful supervision from you.
If you have any hesitation using skewers, do not use them. You can use safety boundaries for your holders.
The following boundaries may help:
Skewers stay at the table.
They are only used for food.
They are immediately taken away if they are used for any purpose other than eating food.
10. Tongs for toddlers and kids to pick up food
Age: 2 years+
Tongs provide developmental skill practice. You can get mini tongs or large tongs.
We like them because:
Kids love them! Toddlers and older children like to serve themselves using tongs.
Tongs come in all shapes and sizes, they are easy to find.
Some tongs are easy and better for 2-year-olds. Other tongs are more tricky and better for kids who are slightly older. You can pick ones that are best for the age of your child.
11. Adult flatware
Age: when they start demanding them
This can strike fear into many parents’ hearts. Obviously forks can be a bit dicey, but the spoons can be easier.
Helping picky eaters
Using fun child utensils works for some children, but it won’t be the magic trick for all.
If you need more ways to help your picky eater, you can get our free picky eater guide here!
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Jennifer Anderson is a registered dietitian and has a masters of science in public health from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. In 2019, she founded Kids Eat in Color®, a public health resource that improves child and family nutrition and mental health. Prior to starting Kids Eat in Color® she coordinated youth nutrition programs at a food bank, performed research in inner-city food deserts, and consulted for the USDA national office SNAP-Ed program. Her academic background is in public health nutrition, cultural anthropology, and economics.
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After your child graduates from their first set of baby utensils, they’ll be ready for cutlery that’s a little more fun and exciting. And the older they get, chances are, they’ll get more and more interested in the utensils they’re using.
The “best” utensils will vary by child and by family. There’s no one set that works for everyone. But, to make your search easier, we’ve rounded up our favorite tools and utensils for toddlers and kids that they’ll actually like and will help keep them engaged when at the table.
Article contents:
Why utensils are important for toddlers
Utensils and picky eating
A note about utensil safety
Our list of the best utensils for toddlers and kids
How to create stress-free mealtimes
Why utensils are important for toddlers and kids
Kid utensils are important tools for mealtimes, and they’re also a great way to develop motor skills in kids.
Utensils can also help get kids interested in eating, especially picky eaters. Some kids are more likely to eat with a new utensil or tool in front of them.
If you’re concerned because your toddler isn’t using silverware yet, check out our blog for tips on teaching your toddler to use utensils.
Utensils as tools for picky eaters
Picky eating can be a difficult stage for any family to deal with. Though utensils can help get kids make eating fun for kids, sometimes they need more to keep them engaged. If you’re struggling with picky eating, here are some resources that can help.
Read our tips for reversing picky eating and learn how to minimize pressure at mealtimes.
If you need more support, our BetterBites Picky Eating Courses can give you the tools you need to reduce your stress and teach your child how to eat new foods.
These courses help you determine the cause of your child’s picky eating and give you strategies to end your food struggles. Get the course today!
How do I know if these utensils are safe for my child?
Utensils can be safely introduced to kids with supervision and by using appropriately-sized utensils.
We’ve put approximate ages on our list of kid utensils below, but as with all things kid related, use your common sense! If your child may hurt themselves or you feel they are not ready for a particular utensil, then choose safer kids silverware until you feel comfortable.
Best utensils for toddlers & kids
Here are our picks for the best eating utensils for toddlers and kids.
1. Best eating utensils for toddlers & babies: basic colorful utensils
Age: 6 mo+
Kids (even older ones!) love simple utensils.
They are basic, inexpensive and just right for child hands. And, if lost, they are easy to replace. They are classic kid utensils.
Top colorful utensils for kids:
2. Stainless steel utensil set for toddlers & kids
Age: 12 mo+
These are great silverware for children. Why do we love them?
Choices for stainless steel child utensils:
The other benefit is that they look like “adult” cutlery, so they may work for toddlers who want what the adults have but aren’t ready for a huge fork.
3. Construction utensils for toddlers
Age: 12 mo+
Children love the digger and pusher and “fork lift” utensil set.
There is a fairy garden set of utensils too, as well as a dinosaur set, if your child isn’t interested in construction equipment.
These are fun because each utensil requires different developmental skills. So the child is lifting, pushing, pulling and scooping.
4. Toothpicks as cool utensils for kids
Age: 5+ years
Toothpicks are magic! Kids love to use toothpicks as cutlery. You can use a plain toothpick or a party toothpick.
Your child will want to stab foods once they have a toothpick. Make sure you are giving them foods that are safe for them to eat (without choking).
Plus, you can put fruits and veggies on a stick. It’s a great way to help them choose to eat veggies.
Related: Learn which veggies are best for kids.
5. Longer toothpicks for kids to use as utensils
Age: 5 years+
Long toothpicks are also called “cocktail toothpicks” or “party toothpicks.”
If your child is still putting random objects in their mouth, do not pick toothpicks that have a decoration on the end! Sometimes the decorations come off and could pose a choking hazard. Wait at least until they are 3 years old for the decorated toothpicks.
There are other toothpicks that don’t have decorations. In some cases, they may be appropriate for a younger child to use as a fork with careful supervision.
6. Fun utensils for toddlers and kids: food picks
Age: 3 years+
Food picks are fun for preschoolers. Sometimes kids are ready for them before age 3, but the child must be old enough to not put the pick into their mouth. Food picks should always be used with supervision.
We like these utensils because:
Pick ones that will make you and your child smile. Pandas make us smile every time.
Related: Make cute lunches fast with 5 easy hacks.
7. Training utensils: trainer chopsticks
Age: 2 years+
Trainer chopsticks are great for kids as well.
Why we love them:
Make sure you get right-handed or left-handed trainer chopsticks if the chopsticks can only be used in one hand.
8. Chopsticks as cutlery for kids
Age: 3 years+
Children can develop chopstick skills when they are exposed to them frequently. Having chopsticks available as a utensil at meals can provide practice.
You can use these chopsticks without the trainer aides. The chopsticks themselves are great.
9. Corn cob holders make interesting and fun utensils for kids
Age: 5 years+
As we all know, corn cob skewers are very sharp. We only recommend using them once your child has a good amount of common sense and careful supervision from you.
If you have any hesitation using skewers, do not use them. You can use safety boundaries for your holders.
The following boundaries may help:
10. Tongs for toddlers and kids to pick up food
Age: 2 years+
Tongs provide developmental skill practice. You can get mini tongs or large tongs.
We like them because:
Some tongs are easy and better for 2-year-olds. Other tongs are more tricky and better for kids who are slightly older. You can pick ones that are best for the age of your child.
11. Adult flatware
Age: when they start demanding them
This can strike fear into many parents’ hearts. Obviously forks can be a bit dicey, but the spoons can be easier.
Helping picky eaters
Using fun child utensils works for some children, but it won’t be the magic trick for all.
If you need more ways to help your picky eater, you can get our free picky eater guide here!
Or, enroll in BetterBites if you need more specialized picky eating help.
More expert tips for creating stress-free mealtimes