Bumkins Silicone Grip Tray vs. Splat Mat: Which Do You Need?

Quick answer

If you need a tray that keeps food in place and helps your toddler practice scooping, a silicone grip tray is your choice. If your challenge is food landing on the floor, a splat mat protects your floors and makes cleanup faster. Many families find they need both at different stages: a tray during early self-feeding and a mat once your little one becomes more independent.

Mealtime with a toddler is rarely tidy, and the gear you choose can make the difference between a quick wipe-down and a full floor scrub. Two popular accessories—a silicone tray that sits on the table and a splat mat that lies beneath the high chair—serve different jobs, and knowing which one fits your routine helps you spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying the meal.

This comparison focuses on the Bumkins silicone grip tray and the general category of splat mats. We'll look at what each does best, where one falls short, and how to decide based on your child's eating stage and your home's layout.

What a silicone grip tray actually does

A silicone tray like the Bumkins Silicone Grip Plate is designed to sit on the table or high-chair tray and hold the food. Its deep walls and suction base help keep the dish from sliding, which is especially useful when your toddler is learning to scoop or spear food. Because it's made from 100% food-safe platinum silicone, it can go in the microwave or oven up to 400°F, making it easy to reheat leftovers directly on the plate.

The trade-off is that a tray only contains food that stays on it. If your little one likes to toss food overboard—and many do—the tray itself won't catch anything. You'll still be bending down to pick up pieces from the floor, which is where a splat mat enters the picture.

• Deep walls help keep food on the plate during scooping.
• Suction base reduces sliding and tipping.
• Oven-safe up to 400°F for reheating.

What a splat mat does that a tray can't

A splat mat is a waterproof or wipeable mat that you place underneath the high chair. Its main job is to catch dropped food, spills, and splatters so they don't end up on your floor. Splat mats are typically larger than a tray, covering the area where most food lands, and they can be wiped down or tossed in the wash after meals.

The limitation is that a splat mat doesn't help with the actual eating process. It won't keep food on the plate or assist with self-feeding skills. You'll still want a tray or bowl that works with your toddler's abilities, and you'll need to clean the mat regularly to avoid stains and odors, especially if you're using it with colorful foods like berries or tomato sauce.

• Protects floors from dropped food and spills.
• Easy to wipe or wash after meals.
• Best for the 'throwing phase' that many toddlers go through.

Comparing the two: which one suits your stage?

It's not really about which one is 'better'—it's about which job you need to do. If your child is just starting to self-feed and needs help keeping food on the spoon or fork, a silicone tray with deep walls and a suction base is the more important purchase. Once your child gains more independence but also starts tossing food over the side, a splat mat becomes the essential tool to protect your floors.

Many parents buy a tray first and add a mat when the mess migrates to the floor. That's a reasonable sequence, especially if you're on a budget. Both serve distinct purposes, and having both gives you complete coverage from plate to floor.

• Use a tray when self-feeding skills are still developing.
• Add a mat when food starts landing on the floor more often.
• Both are easy to clean, but the mat covers more area.

Trade-offs at a glance

• Tray: Better for learning to eat: A silicone tray gives your child a stable food surface with deep walls that help them scoop and spear. It keeps the meal within reach and reduces frustration during self-feeding practice. If your focus is skill-building, choose a tray.
• Splat mat: Better for protecting floors: A splat mat catches what the tray doesn't. It doesn't help with eating, but it saves your floors from stains and makes cleanup a quick wipe or rinse. If your focus is floor protection, pick a splat mat.
• Both: Best for thorough coverage: Use a tray on the high-chair table and a mat beneath. This combo handles both the meal and the mess, so you can let your child practice without constant worrying about the floor. When your budget allows, get both for a complete setup.

Bumkins products that fit the tray role

• Silicone Grip Plate: Blue: The Bumkins Silicone Grip Plate is an updated take on our popular Grip Dish. The same well-known shape, but without the sections, this plate is great for older kids that are getting ready to transition to a grownup plate but could still use the deep walls and suction base. This tray-style plate gives your toddler the deep walls and suction that help keep food in place, but its open design suits kids who are close to using a regular plate.
• Silicone Plate + Spoon Set: Disney Princess Ariel: Plate made from 100% food safe (FDA) silicone; spoon made from 100% food-safe, premium LFGB grade silicone. Soft silicone is gentle on gums. Plate: approx. 7.25 inches diameter x 1 inch deep. Spoon: approx. 4.75 inches long x 1.5 inch wide. The included spoon is shaped for dipping and scooping, making this set a handy all-in-one for toddlers who are practicing self-feeding and still need the tray's deep walls.

How to choose

Best for

• Toddlers who are still learning to scoop and need a stable, contained food surface.
• Parents who want to reduce times they bend down to pick up dropped utensils and food.

Not for

• Parents whose main problem is food ending up on the floor—they should get a splat mat instead.

Both the silicone grip tray and the splat mat have a place in a toddler's mealtime routine. If you have to choose one, start with the tray while your child is learning to self-feed. When the mess migrates to the floor, add a splat mat to make cleanup easier. With the right tools, you can let your little one practice without dreading the aftermath.