What cutlery does your 3 year old use? I have been encouraging my DD to feed herself but I only have those plustic spoons and forks and, even when I try to use, its quite hard to get the food on them.

I think shes old enough for metal ones but I dont know what to get.

Any ideas?

I used metal ones since my kids well before they were 1.
My kids have been feeding themselves sinces they were 18 months, sometimes my sons needs help but other wise it just takes a long time to have dinner. I don't mind, we love dinner, great time to have a family chat.
I find the plastic ones don't hold the food on well.

At Myers they sell little forks, spoons, and knives singly or some kitchen ware shops do as well.
For just metal spoons and forks go to Big W and K Mart they definately have them.

you can get wiltshire kids at big w , they are with the regular cutlery not the baby stuff. They are only about $12, and they are a proper stainless stell cutlery that is just smaller sized.

We have had them for yonks and they wash really well in dishwasher, cheap enought to have a couple of sets which is handy

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I have some children's stainless steel cutlery sets which the girls use. However my 2 year old prefers the normal sized variety

My 3.5yr old DS uses something similar to what EmandZac described. It's a children's set (with the Disney Cars pictures on the handles) and sort of shaped a bit to make it easier to hold.

Although he could use regular 'grown up' cutlery if I gave it to him (and if we are eating out), but he likes having his own to use at home.

I have a couple of heinz baby forks and knives which are a good start to using proper cutlery, they last and last. They have plastic handles with I think stainless steel end part (fork/knife). I used them with DD and now DS is using them. DD, 5, is now using adult's cutlery (entree size knife and fork though!). You can also get nice stainless steel ones in the store "house" I think or other gift stores usually in the baby gift sections.

Chris
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DD (18 mths) uses the tommee tippee first fork and spoon sets. DS (3.5yrs) uses the tommee tippee cutlery set (both have plastic handles, stainless steel ends). I bought them from woolworths/coles.

My kids have the Tommee Tippee 24+months Fork/Knife/Spoon set (My 2yrold has been using this since 18 months with no issues). The My First Tommee Tippee fork doesn't 'stab' as well. They will also use an entree sized fork if the others are not available.

I suggest you avoid the Character fork/spoon set (Dora/spiderman/etc) as we had the Dora Spoon and Fork and the handles snapped within 1 year of use


Happy cutlery buying!

We use these ones from Ikea

http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/30096906

We also have the cups, plates and bowls. They are each $3.95 for a set of six. The forks are quite sharp, so good for stabbing food.

DD2 is 3.5 and only wants to use "big girl" knives and forks. The knives aren't very sharp, actually have trouble cutting our food with them She does quite well considering her cute little hands. Before that I think we had the Tom Tip ones. Plastic handles, metal implement.

We have an Ikea cutlery set that is well over 10y old - it has entree forks and that is what DD uses for eating dinner.

She still uses spoons a bit for meals - has just at 4y graduated to small dessert spoons from our regular cutlery. For the last year or two she was using a collection of largeish plastic spoons we acquired from various places - most of them are bigger than a regular teaspoon.

My favourite spoons when she was about 2y were the ones from Wendys - they are quite substantial (DD used to chew spoons and crack the thin ones) with a flat handle that is easy for toddlers to hold. Used to give me a good excuse to have the odd ice cream when I was at the shops by myself !

Steph

I have a set of the plastic Ikea knives and forks they are great. I think for a while we used the good quality plastic knives and forks from Gloria jeans.... Also have a number of kids cutlery sets they use.

At 3 DS was tending to use a small fork that you would use with oysters and a butter knife.

I have found a great set of cutlery. It was featured in a Sydney newspaper about 6 weeks ago. My sister ordered a couple of sets - one for her son and one for my son - and they absolutely love them!! They are a bulldozer pusher, front end loader spoon and forklift fork. The are yellow/black (like Tonka trucks) and the kids love them. They are made of heavy duty plastic and rubber and are very durable. My nephew doesn't really eat food, and my sister told me he is starting to look forward to meal times - puts a new spin on "playing with your food". They came in a clear pencil case so its great for when you go out - easy to take with you and it has its own container.
They cost $24.95, I can't remember the name of the company, but their telephone number is (03)9421 1321.

Excellent replies girls, thanks alot some great answers here.

I dont have an Ikea close to me so cant get these ones but do have a Big w close so will go check them out.

I also have a 10mnths DS who is already showing signs that he prefers to feed himself so its not like they wont be well used!