The Cups, Bowls and Utensils in Our Toddler Kitchen Edit

There’s just something about fall that feels like the real fresh start. Fall is when we finally get a chance to slow down, reset our homes, and build routines that actually work.

Here are the pieces we’ve been using and loving in our home lately: glass baby bottles from BIBS, glass straw cups from Elk & Friends, porcelain bowls and cups, stainless-steel cups, a Stanley kids’ water bottle, a Korean stainless-steel tray, and a stainless-steel cutlery set.

Making swaps like these doesn’t have to happen overnight. For us, it’s been a little at a time: one season, one item, one routine.

The baby bottle and glass straw cups

I liked the slim shape of the BIBS bottle, and my youngest took to it after exclusively breastfeeding. The Elk & Friends cups had silicone sleeves and different straw setups; we used some for milk and others for smoothies. Those are the features I would compare first when choosing sizes and lids.

A cup each child can recognize

The stainless-steel cups had colored silicone bands with magnets, so they could sit on the fridge. Each child knew their color, which helped with our habit of reaching for a new cup every time someone wanted water.

Bowls, plates and utensils

Our porcelain bowls had silicone sleeves, and we also had divided plates. The stainless-steel tray had three compartments for meals or snacks. The cutlery photo shows a spoon, fork and knife with small fruit designs on the handles. These visual details help distinguish the original items from similar-looking replacements.

The bottle we took out with us

The Stanley bottle had a carry handle and flip straw that my toddlers could open themselves. I liked it for water on outings.

Choosing for your own routine

We changed our kitchen pieces gradually. Check each item’s size, weight, intended age and care instructions. Glass and porcelain can break; a silicone sleeve does not make either material unbreakable. This list describes our household choices, not a blanket claim that one material makes a kitchen safe.

This story reflects the original post and the children’s ages at that time. Product availability and collections can change.