The Great Divide - Learning about different Divided Plates sold at Scarlett Tippy Toes

Who else finds mealtimes to be a bit of a struggle?

As a parent of 2 kids, we have sometimes found mealtimes to be a struggle. Resistance to trying new foods or anything that looks a bit different. 

However, I am always wanting to encourage my children to try new foods, so having the ability to present them in a nice manner does result in a higher likelihood of the kids wanting to eat what has been prepared for them.

Believe it or not, research shows that a child will have to try a food 10 times to really decide if they like it or not. So persistence is key! (I will also add that children mimic their parents so watching you eat a variety of foods will also help with this). 

Presenting meals in a Bento style by using a divided plate allows you to keep like foods together and avoid having different textures touching each other (which we all know is the number one excuse to not eat something!)

Bento style is also quite visually appealing and if you have a slight flair with being creative (which is something I do not possess myself), you can make meals look like fun masterpieces with minimal effort. 

At Scarlett Tippy Toes, we stock three different brands that feature a divided plate and whilst they are all amazing products (because I only stock products that I love), there are some significant differences between each brand and this means that they would be suitable for different age groups and children. 

We will look at six different categories to access each brand and we hope this will help you come to a conclusion as to what divided plate would be best for your child as well as taking into account what you value the most when purchasing a new product. 

Category	Further Information
Materials	Made from bamboo with is combined with a small amount of binding resin
Colour / Designs	Contains five compartments and available in six colours
Toddler Proof	Official Word - "We recommend you treat your Bobo & Boo goods like you treat your little Boos; thoughtfully, patiently, and with lots of love." If thrown, the bamboo plate should not shatter but they may chip or crack so most suited to older kids (from around 3 years +)
Cost	$24.95 per plate (as at 28/07/23)
Ease of Use / Cleaning	Can be cleaned in the dishwasher however the plate is not microwave safe so food will need to be heated on a separate dish
Eco-Friendly	Yes! These plates are created from a by-product of the bamboo industry and minimal resources are used to finish the plate



Category	Further Information
Materials	Made in the USA from Recycled Plastic Milk Cartons, thus giving a second life to a product destined for landfill
Colours / Designs	Available in a RAINBOW of colours. Currently 25 colours in the standard size. Each plate contains three compartments
Toddler Proof	These are made from plastic so they will withstand being dropped and thrown
Cost	$8.60 per plate (as at 28.7.23) these are our most affordable option. Which is a good thing as you will struggle to choose just one colour! We also sell in bulk packs which will bring the cost per plate down
Ease of Use / Cleaning	Can be washed in Dishwasher and multiple plates stack for easy storage. These are proven to be Microwave safe BUT is only recommend for reheating of food. Please be aware some food products (such as tomato based sauces) may cause stains on the plates if heated in the microwave.
Eco - Friendly	Yes! These are made using recycled milk cartons, therefore saving additional landfill from being produced!

 

 

 

We Might be Tiny 'Stickie' Suction Plates

Category	Further Information
Materials	Made from silicone which is non-slip, food grade & free from nasties. There is also an ption to purchase a lid for the plate making it easier for transport and storage in the fridge
Colours / Designs	Available in 3 designs (Bear, Bunny & Cat) with 10 colours across the range.
Toddler Proof	A+ for Toddler Proof! These plates contain a super strong suction making it VERY difficult for your toddler to move their plate. If they happen to be able to break the suction, the silicone means that that plate with withstand being thrown onto rough surfaces
Cost	$32 (as at 28.7.23)
Ease of Use / Cleaning	Another big tick here! We Might be Tiny Plates can be put in the fridge, microwave, oven & dishwasher.
Eco - Friendly	Yes - it is made from natural materials however these materials are not re-purposed so some of the other brands we stock might be more in aligned with your personal values

 

Hopefully the above information has answered some of your questions about our range of divided plates.

Some key information to take from this:

• Bamboo, Silicone & Recycled Plastic are all materials which are eco-friendly and the brands we stock do not contain any hidden nasties and are all food-grade. Of all these materials, silicone is the easiest to maintain and can be used by all cooking methods. 
• For a toddler / younger child having a suction on the plate can be an absolute lifesaver (especially if you have a child that loves to throw!)
• Depending on the age of your child, they may not like having a character/cutesy plate so plain colours are great for this. 

To explore all our Divided Plates you can shop here