10 best baby cutlery sets to encourage independent eating

When you sit down for family mealtimes, you may be wondering if your child is at the right age and stage to start eating with an age-appropriate cutlery set. “Babies develop the skills to use cutlery with experience. It’s not something they will master straight away so it really is a case of practice makes perfect,” says registered nutritionist Charlotte Stirling-Reed.

Children generally start mastering how to use a spoon first between 15-18 months with children’s forks and knives following a little later. One Mumsnetter says, “Mine were using [a] knife and fork from as soon as they could hold them, it’s the default in our house.”

However, a recent survey by cutlery company Doddl, suggests that kids aren’t using any cutlery when it comes to mealtimes. Doddl asked 1500 parents about their children’s eating habits and 54% of those with children aged between four and 10 said their kids didn’t use knives or forks properly when eating. Additionally, 69% of British parents agreed that they find either all or most mealtimes a challenge.

The good news is that making a few simple changes around mealtimes can make all the difference. Enjoying food together as a family and teaching your child how to use age-appropriate utensils is a good start. Experts at OneOnOne Children’s Therapy Centre believe that learning to eat with a knife and fork is an important gross motor, fine motor and social skill that can be mastered with plenty of practice and patience.

To help you find the best cutlery set for your child, we’ve done extensive research and have turned to Mumsnetters for their honest and trusted opinions on which sets work best with little hands.

Here are the best baby cutlery and toddler cutlery sets to buy.

How we chose our recommendations

Recommendations from real parents

First, we always turn to the Mumsnet forums for honest and trusted advice from parents who have personally used the products we’re assessing. We scoured the forums to find real recommendations, taking both positive and negative comments into account. With these recommendations, we were able to compile a preliminary list of baby cutlery sets that we could use to conduct in-depth research.

Expert guidance

Next, we investigated expert safety advice on the NHS related to the texture and materials used for appropriate children’s cutlery and took registered nutritionist’s tips into account when compiling our list of recommendations.

Consumer feedback

After assessing the above information, we cross-referenced our final list of baby and toddler cutlery sets with a host of in-depth online reviews, such as those from Amazon and Argos. Using this feedback and taking into account all the pros and cons of various baby and toddler cutlery sets including the type of handle and grip, materials used (Such as whether it’s BPA-free plastic) and overall quality of the product in question, we were able to narrow down our final list to come up with our top 10.

What are the best baby and toddler cutlery sets to buy?

• Best overall toddler cutlery set: Exzact Childrens Cutlery 9pcs Set

• Best budget cutlery set: KALAS 18-piece cutlery set

• Best first cutlery set for babies: Vicloon Baby Fork and Spoon Set

• Best cutlery set for transitioning: Doddl Cutlery Set

• Best cutlery set for grown up eating: Nana's Manners Stage 3 Children's Cutlery Special Edition Silver

1. Best overall toddler cutlery set: Exzact Childrens Cutlery 9pcs Set

Price: £12 | Buy now from Amazon

“There’s a brand on Amazon called Exzact. They’ve got great reviews and there are loads to choose from.” Fivemoreminutes1

With rave reviews on Amazon and a firm favourite amongst Mumsnetters alike, the Exzact Children’s Cutlery Stainless Steel set deserves the ‘best overall’ title on our list. This nine-piece set is made from good-quality, sturdy stainless steel and comes with three forks, three knives and three dinner spoons, each with dog, cat and bunny engravings.

The stainless-steel fork is ideal for precise piercing, and we like the safety serrated knife that easily cuts up pasta, fruit, eggs or fish. Overall, the sleek design is easy to handle and the set is dishwasher safe and really durable. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that this set is best suited to toddlers and older children, from age two.

Pros

• Substantial size set

• Good quality stainless steel

• Dishwasher safe

• Great gift idea

Cons

• Not suitable for babies

• Some say the spoon is too wide

Key specs

• Age: From age 2 – 12 years

• Material: Stainless-steel

• Weight: 340g

Read next: Potty training? Check out the best potties to buy, as recommended by Mumsnetters

2. Best budget cutlery set: KALAS 18-piece cutlery set

Price: £4 | Buy now from Amazon

“My 9-year-old has only just moved up to adult cutlery - possibly a bit late! The kids’ stuff we have is the IKEA set which is more starter size (I actually use spoons for yoghurt as they are a really good size between a teaspoon and a dessert spoon)” onemouseplace

When it comes to value for money, you simply can’t beat the KALAS 18-piece cutlery set from IKEA. Coming in at under £2, this jumbo set is complete with six groups of three-piece cutlery sets including a small spoon, knife and fork, all in different cheerful pastel colours with a detailed heart print on each handle.

As a company, IKEA has banned BPA and phthalates in their children’s plastic products, so you can rest assured this set is harmless and sturdy. In fact, there’s very little chance of either of the three utensils breaking, should they hit the floor. The knife is small enough to be handled with ease and is made with a safety serrated edge for easy cutting. We like that the set is lightweight and simple for toddlers to grip and use at every meal. Also ideal for siblings who each want their own set and colour.

Pros

• Great value for money

• Portable

• Bright and cheerful

• Set is BPA-free

• Recyclable

• Durable

• Dishwasher and microwave safe

Cons

• Spoons could be deeper and rounder

• Not ideal for smaller families who don’t need such a large set

Key specs

• Age: From 2+

• Material: Polypropylene plastic

• Weight: 240g

3. Best first cutlery set for babies: Vicloon Baby Fork and Spoon

Price: £6 | Buy now from Amazon

If your baby’s ready to start eating with cutlery, the Vicloon Baby Fork and Spoon set is a good choice as it’s suitable for little ones from the age of six months. The set is soft, durable and non-toxic thanks to the high-quality, BPA-free food-grade PP and silicone material.

While the petal-shaped detachable baffle is non-slip and easy for babies to grasp, it also serves as a barrier to prevent your baby from putting the utensil too far into his/her mouth. Plus, it keeps the tip off the spoon and fork off the surface of the table which is ultimately more hygienic.

Another bonus is the round, ergonomic handle design which is short enough for little hands to grasp and use independently. This set comes with a transparent storage box which is ideal to take along in your baby changing bag for meals on the go.

Pros

• Soft and safe

• Durable (doesn’t break easily)

• Super lightweight

• Ergonomic design for independent eating

• Fork isn’t too sharp

• Made with a choke protection guard

Cons

• Doesn’t double up as a teething aid

• No knife in the set as it’s for babies

Key specs

• Age: From 6 months

• Material: BPA-free plastic and silicone

• Weight: 60g

4. Best cutlery set for transitioning: Doddl Cutlery Set

Price: £17 | Buy now from Amazon

When it comes to functional design, Doddl doesn’t do things by halves and this bright, yet practical three-piece set doesn’t disappoint as it has everything your child needs to eat with ease. Ideal for children from 12 months, the cutlery set is made from food safe stainless-steel and plastic soft-touch areas to encourage pincer grip development.

The fork prongs work well to pierce foods like watermelon and steamed veggies but are safe. We also like that the knife has a safe blade design that’s suitable for toddlers and older children who may want to help in the kitchen.

Pros

• Recommended by experts

• High quality

• Certified safe

• BPA-free

• Dishwasher safe

• Ergonomically designed

• Short, compact handles

Cons

• Pricey

• Some feel the cutlery is a little small

Key specs

• Age: From 1-5 years

• Material: Plastic and stainless-steel

• Weight: 160g

5. Best cutlery set for grown up eating: Nana's Manners Stage 3 Children's Cutlery Special Edition Silver

Price: £15 | Buy now from Amazon

With an appearance on BBC’s Dragon’s Den and numerous awards under its belt, we knew this cutlery set from Nana’s Manners would outshine some of its competitors. At first glance, you immediately notice the functional sleek design, which is meant to build children’s confidence and encourage independent eating from stage 3 onwards (which manufacturer’s claim is from age three to nine years old).

It also has some other impressive features including ergonomic handles, designed for comfort when children are ready to coordinate left and right while eating and a tri-grip design to work smaller muscles in the hands (ideal for fine motor development). Plus, we love the fun, bright colours and sticker design on the stainless-steel fork and knife – which make piercing and cutting food a cinch.

Pros

• Designed by an experienced teacher

• Good quality

• BPA -free plastic

• Ergonomic design

• Ideal for older children

• Available in a variety of colours

Cons

• Pricey

• Handles may be too small for larger hands

Key specs

• Age: From 3-9 years

• Material: Stainless-steel and BPA-free plastic

• Weight: 160g

6. Best cutlery set for fussy eaters: Dinneractive Utensil Set for Kids

Price: £11 | Buy now from Amazon

If every mealtime is a battle with your fussy eater, this Dinneractive Utensil Set may just be what you’re looking for. Designed to make mealtimes fun and encourage picky eaters to try foods they may otherwise avoid, we love that this set fosters a positive association with food.

The ‘tractor’ fork and ‘loader’ spoon are positioned at the end of the slimline handle, to make space for little hands and the set itself is made from BPA-free plastic that’s dishwasher safe and durable, no matter how many times they drop on the floor. At this price point, we would have liked to have seen a knife too, but the overall design and quality is good.

Pros

• Good value for money

• Sturdy

• Bright and fun

• Available in a variety of colours

• Sleek design

Cons

• Novelty may wear off

• Set doesn’t include a knife

Key specs

• Age: From age 2+

• Material: BPA-free plastic

• Weight: 190g

7. Best complete dinner set for toddlers: Martin Gulliver Jungle Friends Melamine Dinner Set

Price: £30 | Buy now from John Lewis

“We have this in a different design and the cutlery is good.” Eeeek2

This bright, jungle themed 7-piece dinner set by Martin Gulliver has everything your child needs at mealtimes. It comes with an ideal-sized fork, knife and spoon, plus a bowl, plate, mug and egg cup. We love the sweet animal prints on all the utensils, especially the little tortoise and worm on the egg cup.

The cutlery is made from good-quality stainless -steel with melamine handles, so best suited for kids from age two. The spoon is also a little wider and shallower than the average spoon making it easier for your child to eat from and the fork is sharp enough to pierce most foods, but still safe for little ones.

One thing to note is that while this set is dishwasher safe, it shouldn’t go in the microwave. But the good news is that melamine is considered super-durable and is break-proof and shatter resistant.

Another bonus is that this complete dinner set comes beautifully presented in a large box, making it ideal for gifts for family or friends.

Pros

• Good quality

• Complete 7-piece set

• Durable

• Ideal as a gift

Cons

• Pricey

• Not microwave safe

• Not suitable for babies

• Pieces aren’t sold separately

Key specs

• Age: From 2+

• Material: Stainless-steel and melamine

• Weight: Not specified

8. Best stainless-steel cutlery set: Arthur Price Woodland Children’s Cutlery Set

Price: £22.50 | Buy now from John Lewis

“I bought some nice cutlery for children from John Lewis.” DarlingCoffee

If you’re looking for a stylish, classic cutlery set that your child can use and cherish as a keepsake, then the Arthur Price Woodland Children’s Cutlery set is a good investment. Yes, it’s pricey but the polished stainless-steel set comes with a fork, knife, dessert spoon and feeding spoon, plus it has the cutest owl, hedgehog, snail and fox animal prints on each utensil. The knife is sharp enough to cut through most foods children would eat, yet safe enough to feel kid-proof and we like the safe, rounded shape of the spoons and fork, which has four prongs.

While manufacturer’s claim that the animal designs won’t come off with regular washing, they recommend avoiding using abrasive brushes on the prints.

Pros

• Great quality

• Comes with an extra dessert spoon

• Would make a beautiful gift

Cons

• Pricey

• Not suitable for babies

• Some say the cutlery is too big for little mouths

Key specs

• Age: From 2+

• Material: Stainless-steel

• Weight: Not specified

9. Best compact cutlery set: Tyrrell Katz Jungle Cutlery Set In Case

Price: £9 | Buy now from Amazon

“We've got some nice stuff from Tyrell Katz; stainless steel with melamine handles. The fork isn't sharp but good for stabbing, but the knife isn't good for cutting (so good for little ones).” Scotinoz

Having a dedicated cutlery set to keep in your baby changing bag is a must for picnics, trips to the park or simply eating on the go if you’ll be out over mealtimes. The two-piece Tyrell Katz Unicorns Cutlery set is great because the fork and spoon come in a sturdy, compact case that’s small enough to pop in your handbag or stroller storage basket, so the cutlery won’t get dirty or lost at the bottom of your bag.

The stainless-steel cutlery features easy-grip handles which are BPA and phthalate free, and we love the fun unicorn design on both the spoon and fork. The only downside is that this set doesn’t come with a knife but is available in other colours or prints such as trains, tractors or dinosaurs.

Pros

• Good quality

• Compact

• Easy to use

Cons

Doesn’t come with a knife

Key specs

• Age: From 12 months

• Material: Stainless steel and BPA-free plastic

• Weight: Not specified

10. Best value children’s cutlery set: Robert Welch RW2 Satin Children’s Cutlery Set

Price: £22 | Buy now from Amazon

“DD had this set from Robert Welch. It was a gift from a godparent and was really lovely.” MacavityTheDentistsCat

Known for creating beautiful, timeless and well-made cutlery, this Robert Welch Satin Children’s Cutlery Set won’t disappoint. With a similar look and feel to adult cutlery but ideal for little hands, we love the sleek design and smooth, satin finish of this set. Plus, it comes in a beautifully presented box, designed to keep the cutlery in tip-top condition.

Another special feature is that the knife blades are made of specially hardened stainless steel to provide the best cutting edge possible, yet safe for older children from age five. It’s also evident that the fork and spoon are designed to do their job seamlessly – thanks to the right size, overall shape and thoughtful design.

Pros

• Great value for money

• Good quality

• Available in a mirror or brushed finish

• Ideal gift for a birthday or christening

• Has subtle details on each handle

• Perfect for older children

Cons

• Pricey

• Not suitable for babies

Key specs

• Age: From 5+

• Material: Stainless steel

• Weight: 261g

Which cutlery set is best?

Based on extensive research and countless reviews online, we believe that the best cutlery set for toddlers is the Exzact Children’s 9pcs Set. This robust set is beautifully designed and made with little hands in mind. It’s also excellent value for money considering your child can use the knife, fork and spoon right up to the tween years.

Our verdict for the best cutlery set for babies is undoubtedly the Vicloon Baby Fork and Spoon Set made from high-quality, BPA-free food grade PP and silicone making it soft and gentle enough for the earliest stages of weaning.

What age should my baby use cutlery?

While every child grows and develops at different stages – and could manage to eat with a spoon or fork anytime from 12 months, the NHS has set out a basic timeline. By around 14 months, most babies can dip a spoon into food and lift the spoon to their mouths, while learning to scoop food and feed themselves, (with plenty of mess, of course!).

 Between the ages of 2-3, children tend to start learning how to use a fork to stab food and by age 5 children learn how to spread and cut with a child-appropriate knife.

What cutlery should a 1-year-old use?

Babies and toddlers between the ages of 9 months to 15 months should start getting used to eating with a spoon and fork, with a safety serrated knife being introduced a little later.

How do I teach my baby to use cutlery?

Registered nutritionist, Charlotte- Stirling Reed suggests the following ways to get your child used to using cutlery:

• When you start weaning your child onto solid foods, mix finger foods and offer purées or mashed food with a spoon, allowing your child to experiment with the spoon from the get-go.

• Start your little one off with a spoon, then slowly introduce the other utensils. Consider choosing a soft spoon that’s gentle on your baby’s gums.

• Do lots of role modelling so your child sees you using cutlery and will copy and learn.

 Childcare experts at the NHS also recommend setting the table with your child’s cutlery set in the same way at every mealtime. This will help your little one get into the routine of eating with a spoon, fork and knife.

Another great tip is to place a non-slip mat such as these Non-Slip Silicone Cloud Tablemats underneath your child’s bowl or plate to prevent it from sliding when your child is getting used to scooping, cutting and spreading.

Why shouldn't babies use metal cutlery?

Because babies tend to suck on and chew everything, it’s best to start your little one off with silicone or BPA-free plastic cutlery that’s gentler on the mouth and gums.

As registered dietitian and children’s nutritionist, Sarah Almond Bushell explains, “Adult sized metal knives, forks and spoons are too long and heavy for young children to manage and metal cutlery can be cold and harsh on young gums.”

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