6 of our favorite toddler-friendly snack containers for at home or on-the-go
1 year ago
As a mom of two and former in-home caregiver, I learned a long time ago that snacking is a toddler’s favorite hobby. (Let’s be honest. It’s one of mine, too.) From the moment they’re old enough to feed themselves, snack containers become an at-home and diaper bag essential.
That said, when it’s time to transition your little one from hand-feeding to independently grabbing those delicious snacks, things might get…a little chaotic. After all, maneuvering those little fingers to pick up bite-sized nibbles is a skill in itself. Keeping the puffs from trailing all over the floor like a Hansel & Gretel reenactment is another. (Gravity isn’t the easiest concept for them to grasp, is it?) Like every other milestone, this one requires the right tools to be seamless. Enter: the perfect kids’ snack container.
By the time your child begins to show an interest in self-feeding, usually around the 9 to 12-month mark, you can consider introducing snack containers. This not only promotes their fine motor skills but also gives them a sense of independence. But, just like with sippy cups, the journey to finding the right snack container might require a bit of experimentation.
And oh, the choices! There are snack cups with easy-grip handles, ones with slotted tops to prevent too many snacks from spilling out, and even some with attachable lids for on-the-go snacking. (How jealous is your mom of all this snack container innovation?!) Deciding which one suits your child best can seem a bit overwhelming. However, remember that each child is unique and what works for one may not work for another. You may have to try a few before finding a winner.
While your kiddo might be drawn to the flashiest design or their favorite character, there are a few key things to consider when choosing a snack container. First, and perhaps most crucially, how easy it is to clean? Those tiny nooks and crannies can hide remnants of snacks, harboring mold and ick which no one wants to deal with.
It’s also a good idea to consider the snack cup’s portability. Handles are great for the “do-it-myself”ers, but it’s also going to spend a fair amount of time tucked into your diaper bag. Collapsible styles are great for travel and can easily be stored without taking up too much space.
Lastly, you’ll want a snack cup that’s durable and spill-proof. Little hands are still mastering their grip, and accidents happen. (So do purposeful tosses to the ground.) The last thing you want is an entire container of goldfish crackers scattered all over your freshly cleaned carpet or crushed into your backseat.
To help in your quest, we’ve curated a list of some of the top kids’ snack containers available. Each one is tried and tested for maximum toddler satisfaction and minimal parent frustration. Here’s to effortless, mess-less snacking!
This cup might multitask as well as you do, my friend. Made from soft, collapsible silicone, The Baby’s Brew 2-in-1 Snack Cup comes with two interchangeable lids: one a handy snack catcher, the other a doctor recommended straw lid for sipping water or smoothies. The side handles make it easy for little hands to grasp while the suction cup bottom can stick to the stroller tray and keep you from chasing it all over creation. (It’s also able to fit in most standard cup holders!)
Another snack cup that gets major points for function and versatility is the b. box Bowl + Straw. From the easy-grab handles and tear-drop shape to the removable silicone straw and snack top, every aspect is designed with little eaters in mind. With the flexible silicone snack lid in place, food is easy to grab and safe from spillage. For smoothies or soup, you can pop the straw on for slurping. And when it’s time to save food for later, just tuck it away with the storage lid in place. It’s one of those products you use over and over throughout the day and buy in bulk for fear it might go missing. It’s also microwavable and dishwasher safe!
Perhaps the most ubiquitous snack cup in all the land, the wallet-friendly Munchkin Snack Catcher is kind of a no-brainer. They’re double-handled and easy for little ones to tote around with flexible flaps in the lid that keep food from spilling out. (Some more industrious tots have been known to shake them hard enough for small snacks to escape, but the same principles make the snacks accessible, so we’ll let it slide.) The base is sized to fit most standard cup holders and they can be washed on the top rack in the dishwasher. Best of all, at $3 bucks a pop, if one goes missing at daycare, it’s not the end of the world.
Similar in style, but made from durable silicone, we’re also fans of this Mushie snack cup. The one-piece design is wide enough for little fists to be jammed in with ease and there’s no cracks or crevices for food to get stuck in. It also does a great job of keeping snacks inside even when turned upside down (though tinier things like Cheerios may pop out if they really give it shake). While it’s dishwasher safe, we prefer to wash it by hand since the flaps make it difficult for the dishwasher to do its magic. We’d also be remiss not to mention Mushie’s gorgeous color palette! It comes in 13 muted tones that mix and match with the rest of their Danish-inspired kids’ dishware.
For its longevity and durability it’s hard to beat stainless steel. This style from Munchkin features a high-quality stainless steel bowl paired with silicone top flaps that handily keep snacks inside. We also find that they’re thinner and softer than other styles which means they’re extra gentle on little hands. We also love the addition of an airtight flip-top lid to preserve snack freshness, as well as a tab that keeps it attached so it doesn’t get lost. Double handles make it easy-peasy to hold and even though it’s not insulated, we’ve found that stainless steel does a better job of keeping things like berries and cheese from getting mushy than plastic or silicone. So if you’ve got a berry monster on your hands, this one’s for you!
Come for the cuteness, stay for the convenience! These silicone snack containers double as reusable zip top bags that are freezer, microwave and dishwasher safe. The sturdy base allows them to stand up on their own and a wide opening makes snacks easy to access. While they’re obviously not spill-proof, the adorable ears are easy to grasp and keep upright. The zip top is impressively secure but also easy for kids to open and close themselves. And since they’re silicone, they collapse down and don’t take up unnecessary space in your bag once the snacks run out!
Let’s get real for a sec. You love them, but that doesn’t mean you want to pick up a dropped or thrown snack container a thousand times on a single walk. That’s where this handy gem comes in! Designed to fasten around your toddler’s thigh as they’re seated, this soft, PUL material bowl keeps snacks within reach and allows them to feed themselves with both hands. To clean, you just have to rinse in the sink with mild detergent or pop in the washing machine.
