Safer Kids Cup and Dish Guide

by on February 9, 2012 in Glass, Kids Cups, Dishes and Utensils, Materials, Polypropylene, Shopping Guides, Wood

EIO Kids Glass Sippy Cup

Finding safer cups and dishes for older kids has been a challenge. We’re embarking on an expedition to see what we can find.   Our list is growing as we confirm more BPA, PVC, phthalate, and melamine-free options, so check back soon!

Fantastic Anti-plastic Dishes

Zoe B Organic has created the only bio-based kid dishes that are also dishwasher safe.   Not only are they modern in design, but they’re also made in the USA!

 

Kinderville Bigger Kids Silicone Dishes

Kinderville knocked our socks of with their line of baby dishes, and now they’ve done it again with the introduction of new eating gear designed for older kids!

Kinderville Bigger Bites Silicone Storage Jars

Kinderville Bigger Bites Divided Silicone Plates

Kinderville Silicone Ice Pop Molds

EIO Glass Kids Cup

EIO’s unique design offers the only spill-resistant toddler training cup designed for convenience and health benefits.  The Kids Cup is a spout-free, valve-free cup is designed to transition young children properly from bottles to real glass dinnerware.

EIO Glass Kids Cup

Fuel Kids Waste-free Lunch Containers

It so easy to go 100% reusable and waste-free with the wide array of affordable Fuel lunch gear! From sandwich boxes to insulated soup containers, Fuel products are simple for kids to use and their unique features open up a whole new world of healthy meal possibilities.

Fuel Wet and Dry Thermal Snack Container

Fuel Wet and Dry Thermal Snack Container

Fuel PVC-free Kids Lunch Bag

Fuel PVC-free Kids Lunch Bag

Fuel Uno Dry Snack Container

Fuel Uno Dry Snack Container

Kidishes

Parents everywhere today are looking for an alternative to plastic dishes.  Kidishes are made from tempered glass, which is amazingly durable and safe.  They are available in kid-size bowls (5.5″ diameter), cups (5oz) and plates (7.4″ diameter).

Kidishes Glass Dishes

Kidishes Glass Dishes

Crocodile Creek

Crocodile Creek just launched the cutest and most functional lunch gear!  Their new stainless steel drink bottles and PVC-free lunchboxes are the perfect pair for kids on the go.

Crocodile Creek Waste-free Lunch Gear

Crocodile Creek Waste-free Lunch Gear

CaliBowl

The one-of-a-kind CaliBowl is perfectly shaped to help toddlers and kids feed themselves without the mess!  They’re available in BPA-free plastic or ceramic.

CaliBowl

CaliBowl

Lunchbots

The LunchBots containers and kid’s dishes are the perfect container for packing a sandwich, burrito, grapes or nuts – your favorite lunch to go.  100% high quality stainless steel (both lid and container) make for a seriously durable and healthy food storage system!

Lunchbots Stainless Steel Food Containers

Lunchbots Stainless Steel Food Containers

ECOLunches

ECOLunchbox Waste-free Kit comes with a bamboo spork, stainless steel food container, sauce container with lid, cotton napkins – all in a handmade, durable carrying bag that can be used like a backpack.  The stainless steel food and sauce containers can be purchased separately too.

ECOlunchboxes

ECOlunchboxes

Thinkbaby

Thinkbaby Stainless Steel Feeding Set includes a soup bowl and cereal bowl with lid, insulated bento box with snap down, leak-proof lid, cup with handle and utensils.

Thinkbaby Insulated Stainless Steel Dish Set

Thinkbaby Insulated Stainless Steel Dish Set

Kids Konserve

The Kids Konserve waste-free lunch gear was the natural outgrowth of what two women saw as a big need that required immediate attention.  With the premise that any business they undertook had to help the environment in some way, it didn’t take much imagination to see how they, as parents of young children, were contributing to garbage landfills, pollutants and sending the wrong message to their own children.

The lunch kit includes recycled cotton sack, cloth napkin, 16 oz. stainless steel beverage bottle, food kozy, two stainless steel food containers, and recycled aluminum name tag.

Kid Konserve Reusable Lunch Gear

Kid Konserve Reusable Lunch Gear

Bambu

The Bambu Kids line has a little bit of everything to make meals safer and more eco-friendly: Disposable Bamdino Plates, Mini Bowls, Spork and Utensil Sets

Bambu Bamdino Plates

Bambu Bamdino Plates

Thermos

Thermos continues to pump out safer feeding gear for kids.  The FUNtainer Straw Bottles and Food Jars are amazing and in our experience, you just can’t top their the versatility, durability and cuteness.  We often entice our older kids to drink their water by loading up a straw bottle – it helps keep them from from feeling like they’re missing out on those sugary drinks.

Thermos FUNtainer Food Jars and Straw Bottles

Think Sport

Think Sport has turned their grown-up water bottle into a mini me for kids! Just like the adult version, Think Sport’s super light weight stainless steel bottle has an elegant design and is easy to hold and drink from. It holds 12oz, is vacuum sealed to keep drinks hot or cold for hours, won’t “sweat” and fits into most car cup holders. The new mini me is be the perfect solution for sports teams on those hot summer days!

Thinksport 12oz Stainless Steel Kids Bottle

Obentec

Laptop Lunches were created by two Moms with school aged kids. Their mission is to help families improve lunchtime nutrition and reduce waste. They believe that healthy kids come from healthy communities and work hard to provide products free from BPA, PVC and Lead.

Laptop Lunches Bento System 2.0

Recycline

Recycline Preserve dishware is made from recycled polypropylene (#5) which is BPA, PVC and phthalate free. Their products are reusable, dishwasher safe on low-heat cycles and made in the USA.  You can find them at the Recycline website.

Arrow Plastics Manufacturing

Arrow is based in Illinois and all of their products are manufactured right here in the U.S. All of their plastic scrap, used corrugated containers, wrapping materials and pallets are recycled (none of these materials are deposited in landfills). You can often find these products at Walmart, but they are not currently available online (we’re working with Arrow to add their children’s line to our store soon). They have a huge line of products, so we’ll just focus on great stuff for kids. All of the following Frostware and Sip-a-cup/bowls/pops are made from polypropylene and are marked with recycling code #5.

 

 

IKEA

IKEA’s Stated Commitment: “IKEA works to ensure that products and materials are environmentally adapted and are safe for our customers from a health perspective. As part of our business idea, we insist on keeping costs low and always try to use resources wisely when designing our products. We strive to use renewable and recyclable materials in our products.” You can locate an IKEA store near you here.

UPDATE 12/10/08:  I’m even more impressed with IKEA now that I’ve been searching through website again for new options – they have labeled ALL of their food containers with the materials used.  Hooray for IKEA!

IKEA Miniature Stoneware Bowls & Plates

IKEA Miniature Stoneware Tea Cup Set

IKEA Duktig 24-piece Dinnerware Set

IKEA PVC-free Place Mat

Stay tuned for updates – we’re always working to locate more great alternative options for kids!

 

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  • olga

    thank you. i look forward to seeing more brands here (hopefully ikea will make the list too)

  • olga

    thank you. i look forward to seeing more brands here (hopefully ikea will make the list too)

  • kelly

    very timely post! i have been meaning to email you this — i contacted the Crocodile Creek company to find out if their plate sets had BPA in them. they replied that “they do not contain BPA”.

    hope this helps!

    best,
    kelly

  • kelly

    very timely post! i have been meaning to email you this — i contacted the Crocodile Creek company to find out if their plate sets had BPA in them. they replied that “they do not contain BPA”.

    hope this helps!

    best,
    kelly

  • http://www.thesoftlanding.com softlanding

    Hi Olga,

    You must have felt our vibes! IKEA is now a part of our list :)

    Alicia

  • http://www.thesoftlanding.com softlanding

    Hi Kelly,

    Thanks! We also appreciate the info on Crocodile Creek dishes.

    Alicia

  • http://www.thesoftlanding.com softlanding

    Hi Olga,

    You must have felt our vibes! IKEA is now a part of our list :)

    Alicia

  • http://www.thesoftlanding.com softlanding

    Hi Kelly,

    Thanks! We also appreciate the info on Crocodile Creek dishes.

    Alicia

  • http://safemama.com/ Kathy

    Oh totally…I’ve been yammering about these IKEA dishes for months. I love them and they are totally affordable.

  • http://safemama.com/ Kathy

    Oh totally…I’ve been yammering about these IKEA dishes for months. I love them and they are totally affordable.

  • Bridget

    Thanks for the dishes info! I’m wondering where melamine is on the risk spectrum?

  • Bridget

    Thanks for the dishes info! I’m wondering where melamine is on the risk spectrum?

  • carrie

    I too would like to know about melamine? Could you post on this? I know alot of the controversy over it was in the powder form being put in dog food (yuck!) but I think it is a safe option for “plastic”. Though I do think itmay be a #7…I do not think it has BPA in it. Do yo know??

  • carrie

    I too would like to know about melamine? Could you post on this? I know alot of the controversy over it was in the powder form being put in dog food (yuck!) but I think it is a safe option for “plastic”. Though I do think itmay be a #7…I do not think it has BPA in it. Do yo know??

  • Danielle

    What about dishes made from melamine? I thought I read somewhere that it is safe.

  • Danielle

    What about dishes made from melamine? I thought I read somewhere that it is safe.

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  • ellie

    where is the Laptop Lunches sets made in? please say not in china!

  • ellie

    where is the Laptop Lunches sets made in? please say not in china!

  • http://www.thesoftlanding.com softlanding

    Hi Ellie,

    Here’s an excerpt from the Laptop Lunches FAQ:

    “Our Laptop Lunch bento sets, bento bags, bento sleeves, and ice packs are made in Northern California. Our carrying cases, water bottles, lunch jars, and travel flasks are made in China. The How to Make a Healthy Lunch DVD and the Laptop Lunch User’s Guide come from Southern California.”

    Best,

    Alicia

  • http://www.thesoftlanding.com softlanding

    Hi Ellie,

    Here’s an excerpt from the Laptop Lunches FAQ:

    “Our Laptop Lunch bento sets, bento bags, bento sleeves, and ice packs are made in Northern California. Our carrying cases, water bottles, lunch jars, and travel flasks are made in China. The How to Make a Healthy Lunch DVD and the Laptop Lunch User’s Guide come from Southern California.”

    Best,

    Alicia

  • Nadine

    Does anyone know if the snack trap is a safe container?
    Thanks!

  • Nadine

    Does anyone know if the snack trap is a safe container?
    Thanks!

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  • Melanie

    I just got a Laptop Lunches Bento Box Set based on your recommendation and love it. I just wished that the inner container set came with more lids so that I could store more of my 16 month old’s food. For now, I have to cut or mash any of his foods that I bring after we get to our destination. I’m sure when he’s older this won’t be an issue. Thanks again for the recommendation.

  • Melanie

    I just got a Laptop Lunches Bento Box Set based on your recommendation and love it. I just wished that the inner container set came with more lids so that I could store more of my 16 month old’s food. For now, I have to cut or mash any of his foods that I bring after we get to our destination. I’m sure when he’s older this won’t be an issue. Thanks again for the recommendation.

  • Reeda

    I was just wondering if Tupperware kids plastics are safe? We have just bought some and hope that they will be added to the list

  • Reeda

    I was just wondering if Tupperware kids plastics are safe? We have just bought some and hope that they will be added to the list

  • Kelly

    I’m trying to find the “right” stainless steel water bottles for our family… haven’t seen any direct reviews of the obentec ones (the “laptop lunches stainless steel water bottles”), and only a couple reviews of the thinksports… I don’t suppose anyone could either point me toward some reviews, or give me some feedback? :-)
    I just want to know about leaking, ease of use, durability, you know… that kind of thing.

  • Kelly

    I’m trying to find the “right” stainless steel water bottles for our family… haven’t seen any direct reviews of the obentec ones (the “laptop lunches stainless steel water bottles”), and only a couple reviews of the thinksports… I don’t suppose anyone could either point me toward some reviews, or give me some feedback? :-)
    I just want to know about leaking, ease of use, durability, you know… that kind of thing.

  • http://www.thesoftlanding.com softlanding

    Reeda,

    It’s been tough getting info from Tupperware, especially on their children’s line. ZRecs.com was finally able to get the materials list from them and it looks like they have some non-polycarbonate options for kids, but they also have make some containing BPA. You can find the complete list here.

    Hope that helps,

    Alicia

  • http://www.thesoftlanding.com softlanding

    Reeda,

    It’s been tough getting info from Tupperware, especially on their children’s line. ZRecs.com was finally able to get the materials list from them and it looks like they have some non-polycarbonate options for kids, but they also have make some containing BPA. You can find the complete list here.

    Hope that helps,

    Alicia

  • http://www.thesoftlanding.com softlanding

    Kelly,

    You’re so right – that’s a topic that needs more discussion!

    We’ll take your suggestion and get busy writing a review of the stainless bottles right away.

    We’ll try to post it for you soon,

    Alicia

  • http://www.thesoftlanding.com softlanding

    Kelly,

    You’re so right – that’s a topic that needs more discussion!

    We’ll take your suggestion and get busy writing a review of the stainless bottles right away.

    We’ll try to post it for you soon,

    Alicia

  • Carolyn

    hi,
    Just wondering about Ikea, I see that their rainbow line of dishes is safe, but does anyone know about their other dishes? ( e.g. I remember seeing a cute set with dish, sippy cup and utensils in a penguin theme… ) When i first heard about the rainbow set, I was told that it was because all of their stuff is approved for sale in Europe, where BPA is not allowed, which should apply to all of their dishes. However, i don’t know if this is true or not. Anybody know?

  • Carolyn

    hi,
    Just wondering about Ikea, I see that their rainbow line of dishes is safe, but does anyone know about their other dishes? ( e.g. I remember seeing a cute set with dish, sippy cup and utensils in a penguin theme… ) When i first heard about the rainbow set, I was told that it was because all of their stuff is approved for sale in Europe, where BPA is not allowed, which should apply to all of their dishes. However, i don’t know if this is true or not. Anybody know?

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  • JudiAU

    We have those IKEA dishes. They are microwave and dishwasher safe too!

    I just got a new Pottery Barn Kids catalog in the mail. Their new line of cool-looking food containers are polycarbonate and the bibs are PVC. Why are they launching an unsafe line? Gross. I am going to complain and I suggest you do to.

    California has a law requiring that cancer-causing products be labeled at the point of purchase (i.e. Prop 65). One of our local grocery stores (Gelsons) had a huge sign over their small baby section with a Prop 65 warning and a note saying that they were searching for a BPA-line to use. (Most of the stuff was Gerber). I was really impressed.

  • JudiAU

    We have those IKEA dishes. They are microwave and dishwasher safe too!

    I just got a new Pottery Barn Kids catalog in the mail. Their new line of cool-looking food containers are polycarbonate and the bibs are PVC. Why are they launching an unsafe line? Gross. I am going to complain and I suggest you do to.

    California has a law requiring that cancer-causing products be labeled at the point of purchase (i.e. Prop 65). One of our local grocery stores (Gelsons) had a huge sign over their small baby section with a Prop 65 warning and a note saying that they were searching for a BPA-line to use. (Most of the stuff was Gerber). I was really impressed.

  • Marcia

    Hello,

    Does anyone know if the Crocodile Creek brand Acrylic tumblers are safe?

    My son likes to practice drinking from “real” cups and I grabbed these at the store before checking the safety since I thought this was a good brand.

    Thanks,
    Marcia

  • Marcia

    Hello,

    Does anyone know if the Crocodile Creek brand Acrylic tumblers are safe?

    My son likes to practice drinking from “real” cups and I grabbed these at the store before checking the safety since I thought this was a good brand.

    Thanks,
    Marcia

  • Nikki

    I am under the impression that acrylic is a definate no no for dinnerware. I have read so many reviews though, I couldn’t tell you were to look.

    Anyone else thoughts on acrylic?

  • Nikki

    I am under the impression that acrylic is a definate no no for dinnerware. I have read so many reviews though, I couldn’t tell you were to look.

    Anyone else thoughts on acrylic?

  • danni

    I am really upset that the food and juice containers sold at Pottery Barn Kids has BPA in them. I was going to purchase them to go in the lunch bag I bought from them as they are the matching set that fit perfectly. It is such a shame that they have not come out with a new set. Any suggestions for something similar?

  • danni

    I am really upset that the food and juice containers sold at Pottery Barn Kids has BPA in them. I was going to purchase them to go in the lunch bag I bought from them as they are the matching set that fit perfectly. It is such a shame that they have not come out with a new set. Any suggestions for something similar?

  • http://alguires.blogspot.com Elaine@

    Thank you SO MUCH for letting me know about the IKEA dishes!! My son has been using them for a while and I took them out of the rotation because I didn’t know about their safety. He was NOT happy. Good to know that I can add them back (I did not completely get rid of them…) : )

  • http://alguires.blogspot.com Elaine@

    Thank you SO MUCH for letting me know about the IKEA dishes!! My son has been using them for a while and I took them out of the rotation because I didn’t know about their safety. He was NOT happy. Good to know that I can add them back (I did not completely get rid of them…) : )

  • Missy

    Anyone have any info on the Rubbermaid juice boxes??? My kids have been drinking water out of these for years. It is so hard to keep up with all this!!! I’m going to try to get the juice sippers from Arrows plastic…but am not near a Walmart. Any info on the Rubbermaid straw cups (are now call juice boxes…used to come in bear and tiger shapes) would be HUGELY appreciated!

  • Missy

    Anyone have any info on the Rubbermaid juice boxes??? My kids have been drinking water out of these for years. It is so hard to keep up with all this!!! I’m going to try to get the juice sippers from Arrows plastic…but am not near a Walmart. Any info on the Rubbermaid straw cups (are now call juice boxes…used to come in bear and tiger shapes) would be HUGELY appreciated!

  • http://www.thesoftlanding.com softlanding

    Hi Missy,

    We did a little investigative work into Rubbermaid products (see the post here).

    We found a helpful list provided by Rubbermaid that shows the juice boxes as BPA free – so you’re in good shape!

    Alicia

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