If you’re still trying to move away from single-use plastic in your home and make more eco-friendly choices, buying your little one some bamboo tableware is a great place to start. Bamboo has loads of brilliant benefits; it’s 100% biodegradable, can grow rapidly (making it highly sustainable) and is super strong too, which is why it’s a great alternative to plastic tableware.
But it’s not just picnics and outdoor events that bamboo tableware sets are becoming popular with, as many people are now buying them as part of their home crockery too. They are brilliant for kids, as many of the children's sets have suction plates that stick to their highchair or table and prevent them from being thrown around.
Editor's Choice:
•Best for being educational: CirencesterChristmas Endangered Animals Bamboo Tableware Set
•Best for weaning: Bubba Bear Bamboo Weaning Set
•Best for gifting: eco rascals Baby Elephant Dinner Set
•Best for style: ShipShape Bamboo Baby Weaning Set
So whether you want to ditch the picnic plastic, find the perfect weaning kit or make more eco-friendly choices in your home we’ve got you covered with 10 of the best bamboo tableware sets currently on the market.
Best for a bowl
Bamboo BambooSay goodbye to messy mealtimes with this brilliant bowl. Whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner, your tot can feed themselves with the little spoon that's included and you can make sure that it's firmly stuck to the table with the help of the suction cup, so that it doesn't go flying over the room.
Mum tester, Jolene Barnes said: "I would recommend this product to another mum because of how simple, yet effective, it is. The suction is great as it sticks right onto the highchair tray and stays put. I love that it's made from natural materials, meaning there are no nasty chemicals. It is very easy to clean and the spoon was a good length for my daughter, as she was able to pick it up herself."
Pros
- Ergonomically designed spoon handle
- Packaged in a smart giftbox
Cons
- Recommended to add coconut oil to increase longevity
Best for being educational
www.etsy.com
Both educational and stylish, this endangered animal-themed set is brilliant at creating dinner table conversations about the environment. Each illustration has been named too, which will definitely help with their spelling and phonics.
Pros
- Cutlery, plate, bowl and cup included
- Affordable price
Cons
- Must air-dry before storing
Best for weaning
Made with all-natural bamboo and food-grade silicone, this set is perfect for weaning your little one. The bowl and the plate have a strong suction pad on their base, so you can stick them to the highchair or the table so your little one can't throw them around.
Mum tester Rachel said: "I would recommend this set because it is very aesthetically pleasing. The wood Is smooth and is no danger to babies. The suction pads are strong unlike other brands, and they are the perfect size for children. The fact the spoon head comes off and can be put in the dishwasher is definitely a plus. Another positive is that the wood is extremely durable and won’t break easily."
Read our full Bubba Bear Bamboo Weaning Set review
Pros
- Plate has three sections
- Spoon has silicone which is gentle on their gums
Cons
- Some parents found that it's better to hand-wash than put in the dishwasher
Best for simplicity
This magical plate is sure to impress any young unicorn super fan; once they see it, we doubt they'll want to eat off of anything else. Us parents love that it's both antibacterial and anti-microbial and contains no plastic, so we're willing to make the compromise!
Mum tester, Chantelle Corcoran said: "I love this plate. It makes meal times less messy! No more plate being flung across the room with dinner on it. I can nip across the room and grab something without finding a pile of mess on the floor when in come back. It is really easy to clean too. You ideally need a brush just to get in all the corners properly but it comes apart and back together easily."
Read our full bamboo bamboo ® Baby Suction Bowls Set review
Pros
- Rounded edges
- Proportioned sections
Cons
- Suction could be stronger
Best for gifting
www.johnlewis.com
A terrific trio like this would make a fantastic gift for any new parents. Available in both blue and green, you get a bowl and an adorable elephant-shaped plate (both of which have detachable suction cups) and even a bamboo cup with not one but two straws.
Pros
- Cup comes with a silicone straw holder to prevent spillages
- Cool to the touch
Cons
- Not microwave safe
Best for style
When it's time to wean your baby, you'll want to reach for this ShipShape set. As you can see, the plate has been proportioned into three different sections so you can add bits form different food groups for your little one to try. We love the addition of the bib!
Pros
- Suction cups are removable
- Free nutrition eBook included
Cons
- Not oven safe
Best for suction
Most kids go through a dinosaur-loving stage. So, if your little one is in the midst of this obsession, why not treat them to this terrific triceratops plate?
Pros
- Reusable design
- Raised edges to prevent food spillages
Cons
- Not split into sections
Best for older children
www.etsy.com
This six-piece set is wonderful for slightly older children. It's made out of bamboo fibres and has a sweet music-theme to it. We love that it comes with cutlery and a cup, bowl and plate to cover all bases!
Pros
- Neatly packaged
- Suctioned backs
Cons
- May get the occasional stain
Available in a variety of different colours, this bamboo feeding set is brilliant for weaning and when your baby first starts to feed themselves. We're sure you'll appreciate the rounded edges and suction cups, as it keeps everything nicely contained.
Pros
- Sustainably grown material
- BPA free
Cons
- Not the most exciting of designs for kids
Best for being handmade
Baby cutlery is small and easy to lose, but thankfully this Bubba Bear pack of five spoons is on hand, so you'll always have a few spares. They are shaped to be easily gripped in their little hands and you won't have to worry about their delicate gums either, as the tips are silicone.
Pros
- Rounded tips
- Each spoon is a different colour
Cons
- Doesn't have a storage bag
How long does bamboo tableware last?
Generally speaking, if it's made well, bamboo tableware can last for around two years. To make the most out of it, it's recommended that you cover it in coconut oil every now and again to preserve the wood and prevent it from becoming brittle.
Is it safe to heat bamboo tableware?
No, you shouldn't heat your bamboo tableware (either in the oven or the microwave), as the natural fibres won't tolerate being cooked. However, it is still perfectly safe to serve both hot or cold foods in your bamboo tableware set.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who enjoys cooking and spending time with her many pets.