Silicone Grip Dish with Lid vs. Silicone Bento Box: Which Storage Solution Fits Your Family?

Quick answer

For toddlers who need a stay-put plate at home, the Silicone Grip Dish is your best bet. If you're packing lunches or snacks for on-the-go, a Silicone Bento Box is more practical. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize suction at mealtime or portability for outings.

When you're feeding a toddler, you quickly learn that the right container can make or break a meal. Two popular options are the Silicone Grip Dish and the Silicone Bento Box. Both are made from food-safe silicone, but they serve different purposes. Here's how to decide which one fits your family's routine.

The Silicone Grip Dish is designed for highchair or table use, with a strong suction base to keep it in place. The Silicone Bento Box, on the other hand, is built for packing lunches and snacks to take along. Understanding these differences helps you choose the right tool for each situation.

Key differences at a glance

The Silicone Grip Dish is a sectioned plate with a suction base, made for toddlers learning to self-feed. It stays put on highchair trays or tables, reducing spills and messes. It's ideal for home meals where you can supervise and serve directly from the dish.

A Silicone Bento Box typically features multiple compartments and a lid, making it perfect for packing lunches, snacks, and leftovers. It's portable, stackable, and great for daycare, travel, or picnics. The lid keeps food fresh and prevents leaks, which the open Grip Dish cannot do.

Consider your primary use: if it's for home meals, the Grip Dish's suction is invaluable. If you need to pack food to go, the Bento Box's portability wins. Many families use both for different occasions.

• Use the Silicone Grip Dish for mess-free meals at home.
• Use a Silicone Bento Box for packed lunches and snacks on the go.

Mealtime at home: why suction matters

Toddlers love to test boundaries, and that includes flipping their plates. The Silicone Grip Dish's strong suction base is designed to keep the dish anchored to the highchair tray or table. This means less food on the floor and more focus on eating.

The dish is made from 100% food-safe platinum silicone, which is durable and resists stains and bacteria. It's sized for toddler portions, so it's perfect for self-feeding practice. Cleanup is simple—just wipe or rinse.

If your child is in the early stages of self-feeding, the suction base gives them a stable surface to scoop from. This can help build confidence and reduce frustration.

• Strong suction keeps the dish in place during enthusiastic meals.
• Platinum silicone resists stains and bacteria for easy cleaning.

On-the-go convenience: the bento box advantage

When you're out and about, a bento box is a game-changer. It keeps different foods separated, so nothing gets soggy or mixed together. The lid seals in freshness and prevents spills in a diaper bag or backpack.

Bento boxes are also great for meal prep. You can pack snacks, sandwiches, fruits, and veggies in one container. Many are stackable, making them easy to store in the fridge or pantry.

If you're packing for daycare or a family outing, a bento box is the practical choice. It's designed for portability and convenience, unlike the open Grip Dish.

• Multiple compartments keep foods separate and fresh.
• Lids prevent spills and make packing lunches easy.

Trade-offs to consider

• Suction vs. portability: The Grip Dish's suction keeps it in place, but it has no lid, so it's not portable. A bento box is portable but lacks suction, so it may slide around on a highchair tray. Choose based on where your child eats most.
• Open vs. sealed storage: The Grip Dish is open, so food is exposed. A bento box with a lid keeps food fresh and prevents spills in transit. If you pack lunches, a sealed container is essential.
• Single meal vs. multiple compartments: The Grip Dish has sections for different foods, but it's still one plate. A bento box offers more compartments for varied meals and snacks. For picky eaters who like separation, a bento box may be better.

Product facts to help you decide

• Silicone Grip Dish: Clay: This sectioned plate is sized for toddler portions and has a strong suction base that ensures the dish stays put on highchair trays or tables. The dish is made with 100% food-safe platinum silicone that’s durable and resists stains and bacteria. The suction base is a lifesaver for messy eaters, and the durable silicone means it will last through many meals.
• Silicone Chewtensils®: Red: Our Chewtensils are intended for Stage 1 of baby-led weaning – introducing babies to the concept of holding a utensil and feeding themselves. We made Chewtensils from soft, textured, 100% food-safe silicone that’s easy to grip and gentle on tender gums, with bendable heads for safety. Pairing the Grip Dish with Chewtensils gives your baby a safe, self-feeding setup from the very first spoonful.
• Spoon + Fork: Red: Stainless steel fork and spoon heads are sized and shaped for toddlers. The concave heads help keep food on the fork or spoon, helping promote self-feeding with solid foods. The outer fork tines are bent to help spear foods and keep food on the fork. Once your toddler graduates to solid foods, these utensils work well with the Grip Dish for efficient self-feeding.

Which should you choose?

Best for

• Families who feed toddlers at home and want to reduce mealtime mess.
• Parents introducing self-feeding and need a stable plate.

Not for

• Packing lunches or snacks for daycare, travel, or outings—choose a bento box instead.

Both the Silicone Grip Dish and Silicone Bento Box have their place in a toddler's feeding routine. If you're dealing with a messy eater at home, the Grip Dish's suction is a must. For on-the-go meals and snacks, a bento box is your best friend. Many families find they need both to cover all bases.