How to Choose the Best Bowls for Toddlers: Making Mealtime More Fun (Updated 2020)

Parents of toddlers know full well that everything at home needs to be baby-proofed, including their babies’ bowls. Toddlers aren’t exactly the most careful or self-aware creatures. At least, not yet. 

So if you have a little one at home, it’s your responsibility to make sure that their belongings are safe, sturdy, and well-maintained.

If there’s one thing we’re sure we can recommend for parents of toddlers, it’s our coconut bowls! 

While you can easily choose ceramic or plastic snack bowls for toddlers, we’d like to suggest our all-natural bowls instead. Read on to find out what types of bowls and why coconut bowls are the best toddler bowls.

Things to Avoid When Buying Bowls for Toddlers

BPA and Phthalates

BPA and phthalates are industrial chemicals found in most of our belongings, including plastic bottles and dishware. That means we are unknowingly ingesting these so-called “everywhere chemicals.” Sadly, the side effects of exposure to these chemicals will eventually show up later in life.

In the past decades, numerous studies have linked BPA and phthalates to a wide range of health problems. These include behavioral problems, autism, reproductive development issues, ADHD, breast cancer, diabetes, and neurodevelopmental problems, among others.

Fortunately, the coconut bowls and all other eco-friendly products from Rainforest Bowls are BPA- and phthalate-free! They’re all-organic and safe for people of all ages—including your toddlers—to use.

Get your kids the best toddler bowls they deserve. Check out Rainforest Bowls’ wide selection of coconut bowls. There are over 20 styles to choose from!

Breakable Items

It’s the job of parents to keep children safe from dangerous accidents, especially since their unpredictable behavior can cause them harm. Glass or porcelain are materials that you should avoid when selecting bowls for toddlers. If these bowls break, your toddler may try to pick the pieces up and end up accidentally cutting themselves.

Toddler bowls should be indestructible. No matter what your little ones do, the bowls should stay intact. The more thought you put into the items you buy for your toddlers, the less you’ll have to worry in the future.

Because our bowls are made from coconut shells, they’re durable and safe for playful toddlers to use!

But, if by some chance your toddlers manage to break their coconut bowls, you can always upcycle them and turn them into sustainable planters or other home decor crafts. Check out this article to learn more creative uses of coconut bowls.

Choking Hazards

You need something simple. No bells and whistles. Nothing that your toddler can potentially choke on.

Intricate designs and things on toddler bowls may look nice in the store, but if you think about it, your toddler might appreciate them in a different way.

This is the stage of their lives where they put anything interesting in their mouths. You want to limit this as much as possible because choking isn’t the only safety hazard that you need to worry about. There’s also poisoning, asphyxiation, and even esophageal tears.

Our coconut bowls are crafted as one smooth, streamlined piece. You don’t have to worry about your toddler trying to put a piece in their mouth because it’s not at all possible. Your toddlers might even find it fun to hold our coconut bowls, along with their different carvings and textures!

Flat or Boring Designs

This all goes back to children being tactile learners. You can’t expect your toddler to appreciate the fancy, minimalist bowls you have in the kitchen. They’ll just push these bowls away, which will, in turn, fall to the floor and break. 

Our Art Coconut Bowls, on the other hand, always present an adventure. They make eating fun and give your children a chance to explore the patterns and experience the different textures and fun carvings. 

Why Coconut Bowls Make the Best Toddler Bowls

Organic

The need for organic products is highly undervalued, especially when it comes to children. Kids these days are exposed to way too many chemicals, many of which we don’t even notice. It’s in our food, our clothes, and even in our dishware.

If we can take one thing away that’s chemical-laden, it will make a whole world of difference for our children. The effects of chemicals on children don’t show up instantly; they build up over time and show up in places like stunted growth and development or behavioral problems.

What’s more, artificial bowls made of plastic or metal simply end up in landfills when they’re not properly disposed of and recycled. They serve as pollutants and harm the environment for hundreds of years. So not only do they indirectly and adversely affect your kids—they also leave a lasting impact on the environment.

Luckily, we offer 100% natural, organic, and biodegradable bowls. No artificial coating or adhesives were ever used on these bowls! Handcrafted from reclaimed coconut shells, our bowls have zero chemicals and are sustainably made and eco-friendly to boot.

You may not feel the need to make the switch now, but trust us, you’ll thank us later. Remember, organic is the way to go!

Toddler-Safe and Durable 

Anything that can shatter is an absolute no-no when selecting items for toddlers. The same goes for bowls. If you use fragile bowls when feeding your kids, you won’t only be spending money on tons of replacement bowls but also expose your children to hazards from broken bowls.

What’s great about coconut bowls is that they’re bump-resistant. In fact, we’d like to think of these bowls as baby-proof.

Coconut shells are so durable that some researchers have explored the possibility of using these shells as concrete aggregate. And because our bowls are made from coconut shells, you can rest assured that it’s less possible for them to break when they do fall than your everyday glass or ceramic bowls.

Even if your toddlers drop their coconut bowls, these bowls won’t break or splinter. You want to keep things as safe as possible even when you turn around to wash your hands. 

Also, you have the option of hot gluing a suction cup to the bottom of the bowl to make sure that it stays in place! No need to worry about things falling off the high chair and onto the floor anymore in your household. 

Easy to Clean

Unlike plastic that you need to constantly sterilize with expensive machines, you can simply wash coconut bowls by hand with soap and water. It’s pretty quick and easy!

It’s understandable, however, that you might be wary of the presence of bacteria on all-natural bowls. If coconut bowls can’t be sterilized with hot water, you would probably think that a simple wash won’t hinder bacterial growth.

But let science convince you otherwise. 

According to the Journal of Natural Science, Biology, and Medicine, coconut husk possesses effective antimicrobial properties. These antimicrobial compounds are so effective that people in some rural areas in India have been using the husk for brushing their teeth. The study has also proved that the use of coconut husk can significantly improve oral health.

To top it off, our coconut bowls are polished with coconut oil. But why should you care about coconut oil in keeping your bowls and your toddler’s food clean?

Well, it turns out that coconut oil has lauric acid. This type of fatty acid can effectively fight harmful bacteria and fungi. We even highly recommend polishing coconut bowls with coconut oil from time to time to keep them in pristine condition!

Check out our article on how to clean our coconut bowls to find out more about caring and maintaining these bowls. 

Affordable Option

There’s an entire industry around children’s items, and popular name brands have capitalized off it (you know what they are). These brands are widely available in malls and department stores everywhere.

More often than not, the items they sell are extremely overpriced. A plastic toddler bowl can retail for as much as $25—and it probably isn’t even BPA- or phthalate-free.

Our coconut bowls, on the other hand, start at less than half the price! Plus, we often hold sales and promos, which means more and more savings for you. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter to keep up-to-date with our latest deals on coconut bowls!

Tactile Experience 

Children learn best from hands-on experience. The more texture and color their belongings have, the more likely they are to use them. 

Toddlers can be unpredictable; their mood and preferences can change in an instant. That's why it's essential to keep them entertained in all aspects, even when they eat. So why not try switching out their bowls now and then?

You can serve their snacks in an interestingly shaped bowl such as the Flower Coconut Bowl to make snack times more fun. You can even change their dishes during regular meal times to the Two-Toned Punchout Coconut Bowl to add variety. If you’d like to get a set of coconut bowls for your kitchen, you can save a whole lot more when you buy a variety pack of our coconut bowls!

Fun Recipes For Toddlers

Now that you have your coconut bowls, it’s time to explore recipes that the little ones will enjoy! Feeding your toddlers can be tricky because they’re at the epitome of their picky eater stage. If you throw in the right ratio of color into their bowls, they’re sure to dig in.

Here are two easy recipes that your toddlers will absolutely love eating in a coconut bowl:

Sweet Potato Pancakes

What do all tots have in common? That’s right, a sweet tooth! This healthy sweet potato pancakes recipe will satisfy your toddlers’ sweet tooth in a healthy way. 

Sweet potatoes are loaded with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They’re also rich in fiber, vitamins B and C, calcium, and other minerals. Plus, they’re a great source of energy for kids with low stamina.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of mashed sweet potatoes
• 1/4 cup of rolled oats
• 1/2 teaspoon of molasses
• 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt
• Olive oil

Instructions:

1. Blend the mashed sweet potatoes, rolled oats, vanilla extract, yogurt, cinnamon, and molasses.
2. Coat your pan with olive oil and set the stove to medium heat.
3. Pour the batter in the pan from the blender.
4. After 2 minutes or so, flip the pancake and cook until it turns golden or until the edges have set.
5. Let it cool and serve in a snack bowl for toddlers!

Super Thick Açaí Smoothie Bowl

Nothing gets more colorful than an açaí smoothie bowl. Açaí (ah-sigh-EE) is a type of berry found in rainforests in South America, and it’s often used in smoothie bases and toppings.

But it isn’t only an essential ingredient in colorful smoothies. Açaí is rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, fiber, and calcium, among other vitamins and nutrients. 

Needless to say, açaí smoothie can give your toddlers a nutrient boost. Plus, your little ones will surely enjoy eating this super thick and vibrant smoothie out of a natural coconut bowl!

Ingredients:

• 1 açaí puree or powder packet
• 1/3 cup of almond milk
• 1/4 cup of frozen blueberries
• 1/4 cup of frozen strawberries
• 1/2 cup of frozen banana slices
• 1/4 cup of plain yogurt
• Granola, fresh sliced fruits, coconut flakes, seeds, and other toppings you prefer

Instructions:

1. Blend the milk, yogurt, açaí puree or powder, frozen blueberries, banana slices, and strawberries.
2. Continue blending until you reach the desired consistency.
3. Pour the smoothie into the best toddler bowl.
4. Top it off with granola, sliced fruits, coconut flakes, seeds, and more berries!

Summary

Apart from choosing the best bowls for toddlers, there are other tips to help your kids get through their picky eater stage. 

For instance, you might want to join your kids as they eat. Sharing a meal with your toddlers can encourage them to follow you as a role model for eating healthy meals.

Another tip is to serve them with a variety of healthy meals. What makes this tip effective for other parents is that it lets their kids explore different flavors and textures. Moreover, it’ll help you understand which kinds of food your kids love or hate. If they like cauliflower, for instance, you might want to try feeding them with broccoli.

Most importantly, present food in a fun way. Toddlers cannot resist eating attractive and creative meals, similar to how they like biting on colorful toys. So if you want your little picky eaters to eat their leafy greens, try serving their healthy meals in fun-looking decorative bowls.

If you’re looking for the best toddler bowls, you’ve come to the right place! At Rainforest Bowls, you can find over 20 styles and sizes of coconut bowls that your toddler will surely love. Be sure to share your baby food creations in our coconut bowls and tag us on Instagram @rainforestbowls!

References:

1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/292148383_Lightweight_Concrete_Using_Coconut_Shells_as_Aggregate 
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4121915/ 
3. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coconut-oil-and-skin