melamine or metal?

I'm trying to phase out our take n' toss stuff.  It's in a kid-accessible drawer, and we use it for serving fruit & other snacks.  Occasionally it makes it's way into a lunch box or into the fridge.  It's never used for heat & serve. 

I've already invested in some glass, but I'd like something sturdier that will survive a drop onto our floor (tempered glass & Corelle break).  Plus, something that I won't get skeeved about putting in the dishwasher.  Also, it has to be something I'm OK w/ finding outside and putting back into the food-serving rotation.  I had my heart set on stainless, but have been having a tough time getting generic stuff that's cheap.  Everything seems like double-walled fancy, or way too large for a single child-size serving.  I know I can pay for the Lunch-bots, but I want to buy enough for maybe 2 for each child, w/o feeling really upset when something gets misplaced.  Maybe it's time to look into melamine?  Maybe I should stop thinking about this w/ a take n' toss mentality and shell out more cash?

I remember something about melamine having...was it formaldehyde? something weird in it, so we got rid of all of ours back when we did the Great Plastic Purge.

Do you have a World Market near you? They often have great stainless items, as well as that pebbled-looking camping-type stuff. Maybe bamboo options as well. There may be some new bamboo options in Frontier, but I'm not sure--I know they've got plates and utensils, haven't looked into the stuff w/lids. Just a thought.

I am laughing because we have pet dishes (for the kids) from ikea, too! And those little espresso cups, too.  They're small but great for littles, and the inevitable cleanup is easy because there isn't a whole lot in them. 

Also, the kids and i often use small wooden cutting boards for snacks, lunches, breakfast.  the kind with a rim/little channel around the edge works really well. 

I would have never thought to look at the dollar store for SS dishes! Fun! I don't go it unless I am looking for something specific since ours is so packed with stuff it's overwhelming to me.

What about the Kidishes (sp?) stuff? Not sure the price range you are looking for or if it even fits the bill, but I've found it intriguing and want to try some.

I don't know if you are looking for utensils at all, but Ikea has some different sizes - some as small as 4" for very reasonable prices.

The smaller no-spill dog bowls work great for kids learning to eat soup.  And for watercolor painting water.  And egg-dyeing.  :D 

sunnymom wrote: The smaller no-spill dog bowls work great for kids learning to eat soup.  And for watercolor painting water.  And egg-dyeing.  :D

I've looked at the dollar store stuff too but is it really stainless steel? I'm inclined to think that it is aliminum. Thoughts? If I was sure it was stainless steel then I'd definitely buy some.