Find the best suction bowls for babies and toddlers based on durability, suction strength, materials including bamboo and silicone, and the best ones with storage lids.
Best Suction Bowls
I remember feeling like I would never be able to give my daughter a bowl or plate since she was forever flipping them over (or putting them on her head). But using suction bowls eliminated the option of play with the bowl so I had a whole new world of food options to serve her.
There are a lot of suction bowls on the market and a lot that don’t secure very well. And while I can’t guarantee that any are 100% baby and toddler proof—especially since I know kids can be very determined when they want to be!—these are the best ones that we’ve tested.
When preparing lunch ahead for our sitter to give to my two younger kids in recent years, I actually used a few of these products almost daily. (I love the ones that double as storage containers!) Let’s get into my picks.
(You may also like Sippy Cups for Toddlers, Kids Lunch Boxes, top Snack Containers, and best Kids Plates.)
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AEGI Silicone Suction Bowl with Lid
This is my absolute favorite pick. I’ve been using two of these consistently for a year, and they look the same as when they were brand-new. I love the sage green color and that the bowls are soft to the touch, safe for the microwave and dishwasher, and suction well. About $16 for bowl and lid.
Bumkins Baby First Feeding Set Silicone Suction Bowl with Lid
This set is one we’ve had for over a year, and we’ve gotten a lot of use out of it! It comes with a spoon that’s a great one for a baby to start practicing self-feeding. The silicone is 100% food safe, BPA-free, PVC-free, phthalate-free, and lead-free. It’s also safe to use in the freezer, fridge, microwave, and in the top rack of the dishwasher. It comes in a handful of pretty colors! Under $15 for a bowl, lid, and silicone spoon.
Avanchy Bamboo Stay Put Suction Bowl
If you’re looking for a bamboo option, which is a safe choice, too, this is a great one. It comes with one of my favorite baby spoons and has a silicone suction base, which detaches for easy cleaning. Under $20 for bowl and spoon set.
Munchkin Suction Bowls, 3 Pack
If you want to stock up on a few suction bowls at an affordable price, this set is a great price! The suction base is solid, but it’s also easy for us parents to get the bowl off of the table or high chair. These are made from BPA-free plastic, and the package says they are microwave-and top-rack dishwasher-safe (though I try to keep anything plastic out of high heat to be safe). Under $10 for a set of 3 bowls.
OXO Tot Stick & Stay Suction Bowl
I love OXO’s sturdy and durable kitchen supplies, and their suction bowl has a great design meant to both stick to the table and also be hard to tip over. This is made of BPA-free plastic and also comes in a wide plate option that has high sides. Under $10 each.
Frequently Asked Questions
In my personal opinion and after 9 years of feeding kids, I vote for a small silicone baby bowl with a lid. This will enable you to warm foods up and store them right in the bowl. You can also use these for years to come, so it’s a purchase that you can get a lot of use out of.
Yes, silicone bowls are made of a safe material for babies. They are heat-safe and do not pose the same risks as some plastics when put under higher temperatures or into the dishwasher.
It depends on the material. I would not microwave plastic or bamboo bowls, but silicone is generally safe for the microwave.
I do like their regular mat, which you can use for liquidy foods since it has sides, but I don’t find the bowl to be the most versatile or long lasting item.
Best Tips for Using Suction Bowls
- Remember that no suction bowl is 100% toddler-proof, so be consistent with reinforcing the “we don’t play with our bowl” mealtime rule. (At least that’s the rule in our house!)
- If one of my kids plays with their bowl, I take that as a sign they either need my attention or are done their meal.
- If you have trouble getting a bowl off of a surface (it happens!), slide it to the edge rather than pulling it straight up.
- Sometimes a tiny little bit of water under the base of the bowl can help it suction more securely.
- For a suction bowl with the most versatility, I’d opt for one that’s heat-safe and has a lid.
- I regularly use our suction bowls to pack leftovers for lunch or just as lunch containers. I store them in the fridge with their lids, them serve or warm them up as needed. (I sometimes even use them for myself!)
Related Posts
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Ultimate Guide to Kids Plates
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Best Baby Spoons and Toddler Utensils
Cooking Tips
Ultimate Guide to Baby Feeders
Do you have a favorite one that I missed? I’d love to hear about it, so please comment below!
This post was first published January 2021.
I’ve noticed that my silicone bowls make the food taste like plastic. Have you experienced this? And how do I avoid it?
Most of the time if they smell or taste off, it’s residue from your dish soap or dish detergent. You can rub them with fresh lemon and let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse. Or sterilize in boiling water like you would a baby bottle. and then use unscented soap. It can be tricky but usually those things help!