Gone are the days of primary-coloured plastic. Today's best children's tableware is thoughtfully designed, beautifully made and often playful enough to delight adults as much as the small folk using it. If you're shopping for a christening gift or a birthday present, consider this your starting point. Alternatively, if you simply want to make everyday meals feel enchanting, these are the pieces we'd happily make room for at our tables.
Forivor x Villa Bologna Pottery Children's Tableware Set, £110
Two of our favourites – British children's brand Forivor and Malta's historic pottery makers, Villa Bologna Pottery – have come together to create something pretty magical. Designed by Forivor co-founder and illustrator Alice Ruby Ross, the hand-painted set comprises a plate, bowl and mug decorated with whimsical creatures that transform as children turn and reposition the pieces. The result is a tableware set that doubles as a game, encouraging imagination between mouthfuls.
Each piece is painted by hand by Villa Bologna Pottery's artisans, meaning no two sets are exactly alike, while an illustrated presentation box makes it a particularly lovely gift. Whether you treat it as heirloom or a plaything, it's the sort of children's tableware that can be squirrelled away and passed down to the next generation.
Maison Flaneur Personalised Kids Ceramic Set Pink, £75
A personalised plate and bowl set is one of those classic presents that are hung onto forevermore, and certainly long beyond the point kids graduate from the melamine stage. This hand-painted ceramic design from Maison Flâneur, personalised with a child's name and made in Portugal, is charmingly old-fashioned. Soft pink stripes and playful illustrations are sweet but not saccharine, while the handmade finish gives it a character that mass-produced alternatives can’t match.
Emma Bridgewater All My Good Intentions 3 Piece Children's Rice Husk Suitcase Set, £24
Emma Bridgewater's charming rice husk set is both durable and delightful. Decorated with the brand's cheerful All My Good Intentions pattern, the plate, bowl and beaker come packed inside a sweet little suitcase that's perfect for picnics, holidays and overnight stays with grandparents. Made from lightweight rice husk rather than breakable ceramic, it's designed to withstand the knocks and tumbles of everyday family life. The price is sensible too, making it an excellent present for younger children or a cheerful addition to summer lunches in the garden.
Royal Doulton Brambly Hedge Tea Plates, from £19.99
If there is a fictional world that’s tailor made to children's teatime, it is surely Brambly Hedge. Inspired by Jill Barklem's much-loved books, these vintage Royal Doulton plates feature the charming mice and seasonal scenes that have enchanted generations of readers. As many of the designs are now only available second-hand, hunting them down feels rather like discovering a hidden treasure. Mix and match different seasonal scenes and you'll have the makings of a children's tea party of which Lord and Lady Woodmouse themselves might approve.
Ratt Start Elsa Beskow Tomtebobarnen Bowl, £8.35
It should go without saying that children's tableware ought to come with a healthy dose of storybook magic and, as such, this charming bowl is hard to resist. It features illustrations from Tomtebobarnen by the beloved Swedish author and illustrator Elsa Beskow, whose woodland scenes have been delighting children for more than a century. Gentle colours, a nostalgic Scandinavian aesthetic and plenty of storybook charm. Pair it with other Elsa Beskow pieces and you've the beginnings of a wonderfully whimsical collection that makes porridge, berries or an afternoon snack extra enchanting.
Rice Vintage Dinner Plate – Nathalie Lété, £18.50
If anyone understands the importance of whimsy, it's Nathalie Lété. The French artist's joyful illustrations have developed something of a cult following among grown-ups, but they're equally better suited to children. This colourful melamine plate features one of her characterful creatures surrounded by flowers and foliage – in other words, an enchanting delight. Robust enough for everyday use but charming enough to display when not in service.
Bloomingville Mini Small Ceramic Mugs Trophy, Set of 2, £34
Like miniature cups won at a village fête, these delightful mugs are playful without being twee and beautifully made besides. Ideal for hot chocolate, babyccinos or a bedside sip of water, they strike that happy balance between childhood fun and genuinely good design. We'd wager they won't be reserved solely for children's use.
FAQs: Children’s Tableware
What is the best material for children's tableware?
Melamine is practical for everyday use, but ceramic, enamel and bamboo options are often more attractive and environmentally conscious. For special gifts, hand-painted ceramic pieces can become keepsakes.
What age is ceramic tableware suitable for?
It depends on the child, but many ceramic children's sets are best suited to older toddlers and children who can handle tableware with a little care.
What makes a good children's tableware gift?
Look for pieces that balance practicality with charm. Personalised designs, hand-painted ceramics and sets presented in gift boxes make particularly thoughtful presents.
Is children's tableware a good christening or birthday gift?
Yes. A beautifully made plate, bowl or mug is something children can use for years and often becomes a treasured keepsake.
Can children's tableware be both practical and stylish?
Absolutely. Many contemporary brands now produce children's tableware that combines durable materials with thoughtful design, making everyday meals feel a little more special.
What are the best children's tableware brands?
Brands such as Forivor, Villa Bologna Pottery, Emma Bridgewater, Konges Sløjd, Ferm Living Kids and Liewood are known for combining quality craftsmanship with playful design.
