Cups for Kids?

[ThreeofUs]

DH has taken against glasses for DS. He says he doesn't want to deal with breakage or resulting cuts. I absolutely refuse to have rigid, clear plastic cups in our kitchen.

I remember stainless cups from when I was very small, but in a quick googling found only measuring cups. I am also reluctant to spend $20/cup.

Anyone out there have good ideas for non-plastic, non-glass cups that are safe for a small child?

[egoldber]

Are you against all plastic or just polycarbonate? There are lots of non-polycarbonate plastic choices.

[shilo]

i think what you're probably remembering weren't stainless, but rather the colorful aluminum sets. you can pick them up vintage on ebay:
http://search.ebay.com/aluminum-drinking

but some people have just as much trouble with the aluminum as they do certain kinds of plastics.

could you go with BPA/PVC free plastic like pp asked? easiest to find a #5 recycling number most "green" articles consider #2 and #4 safe as well (http://www.thegreenguide.com/products/Kitchen/Plastic_Containers). altho most 'green' articles tell you to avoid #7 categorically, it's not as simple. #7 is really a catchall for anything thats not #1-6. while a lot of #7's are polycarbonate and aren't recomended, some #7's are 'other' and are safer ie. the new line of camelback water bottles are bpa/phthalate free but are a #7 even tho they are a rigid clear plastic, but you have to find out individually from each manufacturer).

if you are just looking for an alternative plastic choice, you might consider #5 polypropylene like the ikea kalas kids dishes: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10096907

anyway, hth. i'm interested to know what other options other people have found.

lori

[MamaMolly]

I can't blame your DH. DD had a nasty fall while carrying my DH's water glass. Only a tiny scratch, thank God, but it was scary. Happily DH saw the light! We use the Ikea cups and dishes.
I think you can find the metal ones at Indo-Pak grocery/kitchenware stores. HTH

[kimberley-k]

The only thing I can think of is Corningware mugs.

We use the colored plastic cups from Ikea at home, and Sigg sports bottles when we're out.

-Kim

[lerlerler]

the speckle stuff that campers use...
REI, and camping stores carry them.

the 4 oz mugs for the wee ones, the 12 oz or so mugs for the pre-school set- we use the dishes and bowls as well

example
http://www.rei.com/product/401162?cm_sp=prod*desc_rel_item*element

[shilo]

those that do show up seem to be sold as part of 'decorative bath' collections.

http://www.amazon.com/Steeltek-BS-5-Basic-Stainless-Steel-Tumbler/dp/B0006A0324

http://www.amazon.com/Interdesign-21860-Forma-Stainless-Tumbler/dp/B000FCIMOE/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_k2a_2_txt?pf_rd_p=304485601&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-2&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0006A0324&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0JX4VENVJZX3Y1JGX7HF

http://www.amazon.com/Two-Tone-Harmony-Tumbler-Stainless-Accessory/dp/B000QKQ936/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1209256130&sr=1-6

this site has a stainless set that includes a child's mug, plate, bowl and utensils in stainless
http://www.lifewithoutplastic.com/cart/childrenprod.htm

ETA: i know you said your DH was opposed to glass, but another option could be tempered glass (i think this is what corning ware is????) before i started college, i spent a summer working in the 'bar' (no alcohol - smoothies and the like) at a local cafe that used tempered glasses and barware. it takes a lot to break or chip one, and when it does break, altho it completely shatters (that's what 'safety' glass does) it doesn't leave jagged or sharp edges. PITB to clean up on the rare occasion it happens, but much safer than sweeping up sharp normal glass. just a thought. i'm sure you could find it easily in bulk cases at online or local restaurant supply places in pretty much any oz. size you wanted.

hth,
lori

[julieakc]

I just saw these while browsing the catalog:

http://www.athome.com/jump.jsp?lGen=detail&itemID=2386&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=284&iSubCat=286&iProductID=2386

Target has some too:

http://www.target.com/Retro-Aluminum-Juice-Tumblers-Set/dp/B000EEX068/sr=1-2/qid=1209278224/ref=sr_1_2/601-2755413-1568916?ie=UTF8&rh=k%3Aretro%20aluminum%20glasses&page=1

[fortato]

I can't find any information on what type of plastic the Tupperware Bell Tumblers are, but those are great. You can use them with or without a sippy lid, and they are pretty cheap.

[C99]

One of my kids shatters a glass on our ceramic tile floor about once every 10 days. No one, including me, has ever cut his or herself.

[ThreeofUs]

Thanks, everyone, for all the great suggestions!

I must admit, I want a substance on the inside of the glasses/cups that has been tested for and shows little/no leaching into liquids - even liquids that might sit there for a while. Unfortunately, this narrows our choices; many plastics have not been tested for safety.



another option could be tempered glass

DH just about jumped up and down with glee when he read this. We're now looking for tempered glasses.

[shilo]

hi ivy,


We're now looking for tempered glasses.

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/g194/index.cfm?pkey=xsrd0m1%7C16%7C%7C%7C0%7C%7C%7C%7C% 7C%7C%7Cpicardie&cm%5Fsrc=SCH

villagekitchen.com also sells some.

lori

[shishamo]

hi ivy,



http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/g194/index.cfm?pkey=xsrd0m1%7C16%7C%7C%7C0%7C%7C%7C%7C% 7C%7C%7Cpicardie&cm%5Fsrc=SCH

villagekitchen.com also sells some.

lori

Smaller ones are great for kids. We have had these for a long time, and it has been dropped a few times (and it was fine: we have wood floors). My only problem is that it is a bit tippy. Not as tippy as IKEA kids cups, though.