Mealtime for toddlers can go one of two ways: good or bad. There are some toddlers who willingly sit down for meals and snacks, and others who have to be tricked and bribed to make it through an entire feeding session.

Either way, giving your kids their own special plates and cups can only encourage their independence and food explorations. Either way, quality feeding tools are a big deal to parents.

Here are our 10 favorites, plus a chance to win one of our top picks:

1. Innobaby Din Din Smart Stainless Bus Platter

If your kid loves transportation as much as mine, he or she will love Innobaby’s bus platter with five separate compartments — so the food won’t touch one another, of course. And you’ll love that the food-grade stainless steel plate is free of harmful chemicals (like BPA, Pthalates and PVC), supremely durable and stain resistant. It’s a sure favorite in our house. ($17.99)

2. Skip Hop: Zoo Tableware

When it comes to toddler backpacks and lunch bags, the Skip Hop Zoo line is by far one of the cutest and most popular (my son has the dog backpack and penguin lunch bag). So we were very excited to see that Skip Hop is now using those same beloved characters as tableware, in plates, bowls and cups. See the entire collection here. ($4 – $6 each)

3. Smiling Planet

Smiling Planet is a personal favorite of mine for their art-inspired, peace-promoting, earth-friendly products. Not only are Smiling Planet plates and bowls free of BPA, phthalates, lead or toxic inks, but they depict peaceful messages and images that I would surround my child with every minute if I could. ($13.95 – $14.95)

4. SIGG Kids Water Bottles

This has to be my absolute favorite go-to cup for my little toddler. Forget about spill-proof sippy cups with little plastic parts that inevitably disappear or straw cups that always seem to be caked with a milky film. This SIGG kids water bottle is spill-proof with the turn of the cap, and the chemical-free aluminum keeps drinks cold. And what toddler doesn’t love to practice the ABCs? ($19.99)

5. Personalized Silhouette Plate by Le Papier Studio

For an extra-special incentive to join the Clean Plate Club, Le Papier Studio makes these gorgeous silhouette plates from your little one’s picture. ($30)

6. Boon ModWare

If you’re looking for toddler utensils that are safe, durable and equally fun, we love Boon’s ModWare line. You’ll be grabbing for these soft, ergonomically designed utensils for every meal. ($4.99/pack)

7. Construction Plates  and Utensils

If your little construction-loving child is having a hard time sitting down for dinner, we can’t imagine a more fun way to shovel in food. Find out more here.

8. Siliskin

You’re not alone if you’d rather your little one drink from glass than plastic, but would never ever ever consider letting your toddler casually sip from something that could so easily shatter. Yet we have a solution. Kid-size Siliskin glass cups are covered in food-grade silicone sleeves that are easier for little hands to grasp and that protect the glass from breaking. The perfect way to learn how to drink from a big kid cup. ($25.95 for a set of four)

9. Food Face Dinner Plate

A classic design that’s fun for kids of any generation, this might be the most fun your little one will have at dinnertime. ($9.99 from Perpetual Kid)

10. Baby Bjorn

Baby Bjorn has brand new pink and blue versions of their popular Baby’s First Cup, which is one of the easiest ways for kids to learn how to drink from a spoutless cup. Not only are they safe for the dishwasher, microwave and even the freezer, but the cup is designed with a wide, rubbery bottom so that it’s harder to knock over.

Baby Bjorn is giving away 5 cups to two lucky Babble readers. We have one set of blue and one set of pink, so to enter:

• Leave a comment below telling us which color you’d like to win.
• Follow @BabyBjorn to find out if you’re the winner! (Extra points if you RT the contest!)

We’ll pick a winner on Friday, February 11 and announce it through @BabyBjorn on Twitter and then via email.

Also check out:

• 10 Favorite Baby Gifts
• Top 7 kids Valentines
• Best Baby Carriers of 2011

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