Three white ceramic kids bowls with blue sea turtle illustrations and blue silicone grips, lined up on a marble surface with wood background — safe, non-toxic dinnerware alternative to plastic plates for kids.

Why We Chose Ceramic (Not Plastic or Silicone) for Kids' Plates

An honest look at what’s really safe, sustainable, and smart for your family table.


The Problem With Most Kids’ Dinnerware

Walk down any kid aisle, and you’ll find an overwhelming number of plastic, melamine, or silicone plates. They're marketed as kid-safe. But are they?

Let’s break it down:

  • Plastic often contains additives or chemicals that aren’t microwave-safe and can leach when heated.

  • Melamine is technically plastic — and when heated, it can release formaldehyde, a known toxin.

  • Silicone may seem like a softer choice, but not all silicone is created equal, and many options lack FDA or LFGB certifications.

Most parents are doing their best. But we shouldn’t have to decode material science to find a safe plate for our kids.


✅ Why We Chose Ceramic

At Childish, we believe kids deserve better — not just cute.

That’s why our dinnerware is made from FDA-approved ceramic, the same high-quality material trusted on adult tables for generations.

Here’s why we chose ceramic:

  • Non-toxic and inert: Ceramic doesn’t leach chemicals, even when heated.

  • Microwave- and dishwasher-safe: No melting, warping, or breakdown.

  • Naturally heavy: It stays put — especially when paired with our removable silicone ring.

  • Timeless design: Kids love the ocean illustrations; adults love the minimalist tableware look.


🔬 Safety First: What Parents Should Know

The FDA considers ceramic one of the safest materials for food use — especially when properly glazed and lead-free (which ours is). It's stable, easy to sanitize, and resistant to scratches or wear that can harbor bacteria.

We also use:

  • Silicone bases that are BPA-free, food-grade, FDA-approved, and fully removable (so you can clean and dry all surfaces).

  • Zero plastic packaging, because our commitment to safe materials goes beyond the plate.


🧠 What About Breakability?

We hear it a lot:
“But… isn’t ceramic breakable?”

Yes — but also, that’s the point.

We’re building rituals of care around mealtime. Our plates teach kids to respect the objects in front of them — while giving parents a non-toxic, durable option that actually lasts.

Childish Plates are:

  • Thick enough to resist chips from everyday use

  • Tested for toddler handling (and floor drops)

  • Combined with silicone to increase durability


🌊 Designed for Kids. Safe Enough for Anyone.

We didn’t just shrink adult plates and call it a day.

We spent months testing grip, weights, edge curves, and illustrations to make ceramic plates that support growing kids’ needs — from scooping to storing to setting their own place.

Real ceramic. For real kids. With real safety standards.


💬 The Bottom Line: Safer, Smarter, More Beautiful

If you're comparing ceramic vs plastic kids plates, here's our take:

Feature Plastic Silicone Childish Ceramic
Microwave-safe ⚠️ Maybe ✅ Yes
Dishwasher-safe ⚠️ Warps ✅ Yes
Leaching chemicals risk ⚠️ ❌ None
Grows with your child ⚠️ ✅ Yes
Beautiful on any table ⚠️ ✅ Yes

📣 Ready for a safer switch?

Childish dinnerware is:
🍽 Ceramic
💛 FDA-approved
🌊 Ocean-inspired
🧠 Smartly designed for kids

Your child is growing up. Their plate should too.
Check out the Childish Collection