Kids eat with whatever they can hold, and a lot of what is sold as child utensils is a lot of plastic with a cartoon on it. The useful questions are simple: what is the working end made of, what age does the maker say, and how miserable will it be to clean.
This guide stays with forks, spoons and knives. For what goes under them, see our kids plates guide. Ages here are the makers’ own, and we don’t give feeding advice.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications, and listing and maker information, which we name where we use it.
Quick verdict: which kids flatware to buy
Buy the OXO Tot Fork and Spoon Set for most young children: steel heads and weighted handles. For the youngest eaters, the Munchkin Raise is 12 months and up by the maker’s guidance and was BabyGearLab’s best-value pick. For ages 3 and up, move to OXO Tot Cutlery for Big Kids, and pick Oneida Chateau for real steel flatware.
The other sets include knives, recycled US-made plastic, a soft silicone grip and a Bluey set for fans.
Five child utensil sets side by side
Five of the eight, one for each stage or priority. All eight are described in full below.
| Set | Best for | Material | Pieces | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
OXO Tot Fork and Spoon SetBest overall
|
Most young children | Stainless head, weighted handle | 1 fork, 1 spoon | View on Amazon |
OXO Tot Cutlery for Big KidsBest for ages 3 and up
|
Ages 3 and up, per OXO | Stainless working ends | Not itemized | View on Amazon |
| 12 months and up, per Munchkin | BPA free, raised base | 2 forks, 2 spoons | View on Amazon | |
Re-Play Toddler Forks and Spoons, 4 x 4 SetBest made in USA
|
US-made, recycled | Recycled plastic | 4 forks, 4 spoons, case | View on Amazon |
Oneida Chateau 3-Piece Child Flatware SetBest all-steel
|
Older children, gifts | 18/10 stainless | Fork, spoon, knife | View on Amazon |
Our picks for the best kids flatware, one by one
1. OXO Tot Fork and Spoon Set – Steel Heads, Weighted Handles
A child’s fork has an odd job. It has to spear food without being sharp, and the handle has to suit a hand that is still working out what a fork is. OXO’s answer here is a stainless steel head on a curved, non-slip, weighted handle, with tines the maker says “can spear food but aren’t too sharp” and a deep spoon for scooping.
That lines up well with what a pediatric occupational therapist told Fatherly. Emma Hubbard said plastic tines can bend and take more force, so stainless makes spearing easier, and she likes curved outer tines and short, easy-to-grip handles. She was talking about toddler forks in general, not about this set.
This is one fork and one spoon, in a choice of colors, so buy two if you want a spare during the week. The listing does not give an age or a length. OXO’s other Tot listings use 8 months and up for a very similar travel version, but we would not assume that carries over, so check the packaging or ask OXO if age guidance matters to you.
Why we like it
- Stainless heads on non-slip handles
- Deep spoon for scooping
- Weighted handles, per OXO
- Amazon was the seller when we checked
Key specifications
| Model | 61162500 |
|---|---|
| Maker’s age guidance | Not stated on this listing |
| Pieces | 1 fork, 1 spoon |
| Head material | Stainless steel |
| Handle | Curved, weighted, non-slip |
| Length | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated on this listing |
| Sold by when checked | Amazon.com |
Why we recommend it
This is where we would start for a young child moving to real food at the table, from a maker with a large line of children’s mealtime goods.
Skip it if you need several sets at once; a single pair costs more per piece than the multi-packs here.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Steel fork head for spearing
- Maker describes tines as not too sharp
- Comes in several colors
Cons
- Only one fork and one spoon
- Age and care not on this listing
- No knife
2. OXO Tot Cutlery for Big Kids – The Step Up From Toddler Sets
Children outgrow chunky toddler handles sooner than you might expect, then they want to use what the grown-ups use. OXO built this set for that stage, and it says the handles are sized and shaped for ages 3 and up and that the set looks like grown-up utensils.
OXO says the stainless steel “effectively spears, scoops, and cuts food.” The word “cuts” is the maker’s. The listing names a fork and spoon in its title, so check the pictures on the listing for what is in the box before you count on a knife, because the listing’s text doesn’t list the pieces.
If you have an older toddler who is pushing away the baby stuff, this is the natural next step. It also pairs well with the kids plates we like.
Why we like it
- Sized for ages 3 and up, per OXO
- Looks like adult flatware
- Stainless working ends
- Amazon was the seller when we checked
Key specifications
| Model | 61169600 |
|---|---|
| Maker’s age guidance | Ages 3 and up |
| Pieces | Not itemized on listing |
| Head material | Stainless steel |
| Handle | Soft non-slip grip |
| Length | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated on this listing |
| Sold by when checked | Amazon.com |
Why we recommend it
It suits a preschooler who is ready to sit at the family table and use something that looks like everyone else’s.
Skip it if your child is still under 3; the maker’s guidance starts at 3.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clear age guidance
- Grown-up look that kids want
- Non-slip grip
Cons
- Pieces not itemized in the text
- Care not on this listing
- Small set
3. Munchkin Splash Fork, Knife and Spoon Set, 6 Pack – A Set With a Knife
Few toddler sets include a knife at all. This one has two forks, two knives and two spoons in BPA-free plastic, with what Munchkin describes as easy-grip handles, and a maker’s age guidance of 18 months and up. Emma Hubbard, the occupational therapist quoted by Fatherly, names it for anyone who wants a set with a knife.
It is plastic from end to end, so expect less bite than a steel fork, which Hubbard notes can bend and take more force. For soft food and for simply getting used to holding a knife, that may not matter. Check on your child, as with any utensil.
Six pieces at this size makes it useful for a house with two children, or one child and a dishwasher that doesn’t run every night. The listing doesn’t state a length or say whether it can go in the dishwasher, so check the package.
Why we like it
- Includes knives, which most sets don’t
- Named by an occupational therapist in Fatherly
- 18 months and up, per Munchkin
- BPA free, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 41646 |
|---|---|
| Maker’s age guidance | 18 months and up |
| Pieces | 2 forks, 2 knives, 2 spoons |
| Head material | BPA-free plastic |
| Handle | Easy-grip |
| Length | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated on this listing |
| Sold by when checked | Amazon.com |
Why we recommend it
Buy it if you want one set that covers all three pieces, in bright colors, without spending much on each one.
Skip it if firm food is on the menu most nights; plastic tines can bend.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Three types of utensil
- Six pieces in the pack
- Clear age guidance
Cons
- All plastic
- Care not on this listing
- Colors are assorted by listing
4. Munchkin Raise Toddler Fork and Spoon Set, 4 Pack – Tips Stay Off the Table
The clever part here is a raised base on the handle, so when a toddler puts the fork down, the end that goes in the mouth does not touch the table. BabyGearLab, which bought and compared seven toddler sets side by side, called this set its best value.
BabyGearLab flagged one downside: seams that are harder to clean. Its top-scoring sets were all-steel and other designs we could not include here. Munchkin gives the age as 12 months and up, the lowest firm guidance on this list. You get two forks and two spoons.
If you only read one independent review of toddler utensils, that one is worth your time. It also weights ease of cleaning at 40 percent of its score, which seems right to anyone who has scrubbed dried oatmeal out of a seam.
Why we like it
- BabyGearLab’s best-value pick
- Raised base keeps tips off the table
- 12 months and up, per Munchkin
- Two forks and two spoons
Key specifications
| Model | 41645 |
|---|---|
| Maker’s age guidance | 12 months and up |
| Pieces | 2 forks, 2 spoons |
| Head material | Not stated on this listing |
| Handle | Ergonomic, raised base |
| Length | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated on this listing |
| Sold by when checked | Amazon.com |
Why we recommend it
It suits the youngest eaters on this list, and it has independent backing that most of these sets lack.
Skip it if you hate scrubbing small seams; BabyGearLab says they are harder to clean.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Independent review behind it
- Clean tips between bites
- Youngest stated age here
Cons
- Seams harder to clean, per BabyGearLab
- No knife
- Head material not on this listing
5. Re-Play Toddler Forks and Spoons, 4 x 4 Set – US-Made From Recycled Milk Jugs
Re-Play makes its children’s tableware in the USA from recycled milk jugs, and says so right in the listing. You get four forks and four spoons at 5.8 inches long, in thick plastic, plus a small carrying case for one fork and one spoon. Eight pieces and a case is a good amount for a child in daycare.
Re-Play lists these as both dishwasher and microwave safe. The listing doesn’t give an age; it calls them toddler utensils. Fatherly’s guide mentions Re Play among the products it names, though the occupational therapist’s specific recommendations are for other sets, so take that as a mention only.
As with the Munchkin Splash, it is all plastic. That is the trade: a lower-stakes set that is easy to replace, with less bite on firm food. If you already own Re-Play plates, the color will match. See our guide to toddler plates for what to serve on.
Why we like it
- Made in the USA from recycled milk jugs
- Eight pieces plus a travel case
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing
- Re-Play was the seller when we checked
Key specifications
| Model | 8pkutensilscolorways |
|---|---|
| Maker’s age guidance | Not stated; sold as toddler utensils |
| Pieces | 4 forks, 4 spoons |
| Head material | Plastic |
| Handle | Ergonomic, thick plastic |
| Length | 5.8 in |
| Care | Dishwasher and microwave safe |
| Sold by when checked | Re-Play Products |
Why we recommend it
It is the one to get if buying American-made matters, or if you need enough pieces for lunches and spares.
Skip it if you want a steel fork for firmer food.
Pros and cons
Pros
- US-made
- Recycled material
- Case included
Cons
- All plastic
- No stated age
- Case holds only one pair
6. Bumkins Toddler Fork and Spoon Set – Silicone Grip, Steel Heads
This set puts concave stainless steel heads on textured silicone handles, and Bumkins sizes it for 18 months and up at about 5.5 inches long. The fork’s outer tines are bent, more like a spork, which the maker says helps pierce solid food and hold it on. That matches the curved outer tines Emma Hubbard describes in Fatherly.
Bumkins says its silicone is platinum cured and food safe, and that its products are checked by independent testing facilities against applicable safety standards. It doesn’t name them on the listing, so read that as the maker’s general statement. You can hand wash, run it through the dishwasher, or boil it to deep clean.
One honest note from the maker itself: silicone can absorb scents, so Bumkins recommends an unscented detergent. Anyone who has put a salsa spoon through a dishwasher with silicone in it knows what they mean.
Why we like it
- Bent outer tines, spork style
- Textured silicone grip
- Dishwasher safe, can also be boiled
- 18 months and up, per Bumkins
Key specifications
| Model | SFT-LAV |
|---|---|
| Maker’s age guidance | 18 months and up |
| Pieces | 1 fork, 1 spoon |
| Head material | Stainless steel |
| Handle | Textured silicone |
| Length | About 5.5 in |
| Care | Hand wash, dishwasher or boil |
| Sold by when checked | Amazon.com |
Why we recommend it
Take this if your child likes a softer handle but you still want steel at the working end.
Skip it if smell bothers you; Bumkins itself warns that silicone can hold on to scents.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Steel plus silicone
- Three ways to clean
- Clear age and length
Cons
- Silicone can absorb scents
- Only one pair
- Testing claim doesn’t name who tested
7. Zak Designs Bluey Kid Flatware Set – For Bluey Fans
Sometimes the right fork is the one a child will actually pick up. Zak Designs prints Bluey art on both pieces of this set, and says the point is to make dinner more fun for picky eaters. Whether it works depends on your kid, but plenty of parents will know the appeal.
It has two forks and two spoons at 5-3/4 inches, in stainless steel, ABS and TPE, with contoured, textured handles. Zak says it is recommended for ages 3 and up, top-rack dishwasher safe and not for the microwave. It’s a clear enough listing, which isn’t true of every character set out there.
Character art tends to go out of style faster than a child’s hands grow. If your child loses interest in Bluey, the fork still works. Fatherly’s guide also mentions this set, without attributing a recommendation to its occupational therapist.
Why we like it
- Bluey art on both pieces
- Stainless, ABS and TPE, per the maker
- Clear guidance: ages 3 and up
- Top-rack dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | BLUC-U390 |
|---|---|
| Maker’s age guidance | Ages 3 and up |
| Pieces | 2 forks, 2 spoons |
| Head material | Stainless steel |
| Handle | Contoured, textured grip |
| Length | 5-3/4 in |
| Care | Top rack; do not microwave |
| Sold by when checked | Amazon.com |
Why we recommend it
Buy it for a preschooler who would happily eat anything off a fork with Bluey on it.
Skip it if you’re shopping for a child under 3, or you would like the set to outlast a TV phase.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fun for a fan
- Two pairs in a pack
- Clear care and age details
Cons
- Character art dates quickly
- Not for the microwave
- No knife
8. Oneida Chateau 3-Piece Child Flatware Set – Real Flatware, Small Size
Here is flatware in the old sense: 18/10 stainless steel from Oneida, with no plastic and no silicone, sized for a child. The Chateau set has a 6.8-inch knife, a 5.7-inch fork and a 5.2-inch spoon, with a mirror finish, a dishwasher-safe rating and a limited lifetime warranty.
BabyGearLab’s top-scoring toddler set was also all stainless steel, with its one-piece build getting credit for easy cleaning. That was a different set, but the reasoning carries over: no joints, nothing for food to get into. Its note that longer sets suit older toddlers and preschoolers applies here too, since these are the longest pieces on this list.
The listing states no age, so treat this as a set for a child who is already managing utensils well, and decide for yourself about the knife. It is also a traditional christening or birthday gift, which suits Oneida’s plain formal pattern. The seller was a third party when we checked, not Oneida or Amazon.
Why we like it
- 18/10 stainless steel throughout
- Includes fork, spoon and knife
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 2610003IL20 |
|---|---|
| Maker’s age guidance | Not stated |
| Pieces | 1 fork, 1 spoon, 1 knife |
| Head material | 18/10 stainless steel |
| Handle | Stainless, one material |
| Length | 5.2 to 6.8 in |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
| Sold by when checked | DecorStyleDelights |
Why we recommend it
It suits an older child, a family that wants real flatware, or a gift that will still be in a drawer in 20 years.
Skip it if your child still needs a fat grip, or you’d rather buy from Amazon directly.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No plastic or silicone
- Long warranty
- Lasts past childhood
Cons
- No stated age
- Slim handles for small hands
- Third-party seller
How to choose child utensils
We are a restaurant kitchen, not a pediatrician’s office, so the ages on this page are the makers’ own and we do not give feeding advice. If your child has any feeding concerns, ask your child’s doctor or therapist. What we can do is compare what these things are made of and how they are built.
Follow the maker’s age
Makers vary. Munchkin Raise says 12 months and up, Munchkin Splash and Bumkins 18 months and up, and OXO’s big kids set and the Zak Bluey set 3 and up. Several listings give no age at all. In that case, read the package or ask the maker before you buy.
Steel or plastic at the working end
Emma Hubbard, a pediatric occupational therapist quoted by Fatherly, says stainless steel makes spearing easier because plastic tines can bend. BabyGearLab’s scoring also favors stainless over plastic. Plastic still has a place: it is cheaper to replace and lighter, and it’s fine for softer food.
Handle size
Hubbard suggests shorter, more cylindrical handles for smaller hands, and a spoon bowl that is “deep but narrow.” BabyGearLab notes that longer sets may suit older toddlers and preschoolers. So match length to your child: we give length where the maker does.
Cleaning
BabyGearLab gives ease of cleaning 40 percent of its score, and it marks down seams. One-piece steel is simplest. Silicone may hold on to scents, as Bumkins itself says. And not every listing here states dishwasher safety, so check before you assume.
Spare sets
Forks disappear into backpacks and under car seats. A larger pack or a second cheap set often makes more sense than one fancy pair.
How we picked these eight kids flatware sets
We counted sets in stock from identifiable children’s and tableware makers, then read each listing. We read two independent pieces: BabyGearLab’s comparison of toddler utensils, which covers Munchkin Raise but none of our other picks, and Fatherly’s guide with Emma Hubbard. Most of these picks rest on the maker’s listing and on those general pointers rather than a review of that exact set, and we say so where it matters. We have not used these products ourselves.
We left out most multi-packs from sellers with no real maker behind them, such as the many 12-piece steel sets. We also left out NUK’s Kiddy Cutlery because forks and spoons are sold separately, one seller was a reseller, and it would crowd out a clearer choice. We checked saferproducts.gov by brand. OXO’s listed recall concerned booster seats, Munchkin’s concerned bath toys and pacifiers, and Zak Designs’ concerned water bottles, not these utensils. Nothing turned up for Re-Play, Bumkins or Oneida.
Kids flatware questions, answered
What is the best kids flatware for a toddler?
The OXO Tot Fork and Spoon Set is our first choice for its steel heads and weighted handles. Munchkin Raise is the best-value pick from BabyGearLab, with the youngest firm age here: 12 months and up, per Munchkin.
When can a child use a knife?
We can’t tell you when your child is ready. Munchkin Splash lists a knife at 18 months and up, while Oneida gives no age. Follow the maker’s guidance and your own judgment, and stay at the table.
Is stainless steel or plastic better for child utensils?
Steel spears better, according to the occupational therapist quoted by Fatherly, and it’s easy to clean when it is one piece. Plastic is lighter and cheaper to replace. Many parents keep both.
Are these dishwasher safe?
Re-Play, Bumkins, Oneida and Zak Designs (top rack) say so on the listings we read. The others do not state it on these listings, so check the package.
How many sets should I buy?
At least two pairs for one child is the practical number, since one is usually in the dishwasher or a lunch bag. The Re-Play 4 x 4 set covers that on its own.
Our last word on kids flatware
Start with the OXO Tot set, step up to the OXO big kids set at 3, and buy Oneida steel for an older child or a gift. Round out the table with our best kids plates and kids drinking glasses. When nobody wants to cook, Julia’s has a page on kids at a Mexican restaurant, or you can call to order.