Is a meal delivery service for kids worth it? Our parent tester weighs in.
Finding healthy, nutritious meals that little ones enjoy can be challenging for parents. From babies to toddlers and big kids, accommodating those just starting solids, picky eaters, or children with dietary restrictions can be frustrating. Fortunately, there’s a solution.
Little Spoon is a meal delivery service for kids offering meals and snacks packed with nutrients to support healthy growth, requiring zero prep and minimal cleanup. For parents low on time, Little Spoon means less cooking and trips to the grocery store. But does it deliver on its promises? My 20-month-old daughter Carlin tried Little Spoon for a week, and it truly made me re-think meal delivery for kids. Here’s my Little Spoon review.
New customers get 30% off their first order (up to $40) with our exclusive discount code, TODAYSPOON30.
Little Spoon has tons of meal offerings to accommodate different ages, food preferences, meal types, you name it. There are eight categories to choose from:
The Little Spoon menu options are fantastic in their diversity, ranging from kid-friendly standards like chicken nuggets to international dishes like chicken teriyaki and pupusas. All dishes feature “hidden veggies” and superfoods to ensure your child is getting the nutrients they need to thrive. For instance, the mini turkey meatballs that my daughter tried had kale mixed in, and the chicken teriyaki rice included lots of small vegetables.
It’s also the only brand in the United States with strict limits on more than 500 contaminants and toxins. So, when Little Spoon says “no junk,” they truly mean it. The packaging is free of BPA and BPS, giving parents peace of mind that they’re feeding their children safely and conveniently.
Little Spoon is also ideal for kids with dietary restrictions. Potential allergens like nuts, eggs and dairy are clearly indicated, and there’s even a search filter to help avoid mistakes. Another feature I really appreciated is how Picky Eater favourites and popular choices are noted. This helps guide parents when selecting meals, especially for the first time.
Little Spoon offers several different meal plans. For Plates, you can choose between four and twelve plates per week. The more plates you purchase, the less expensive each one becomes. The meals can be stored in the fridge for up to seven days or in the freezer for up to two months.
So, if you decide to go out for lunch or have leftovers from last night’s pizza, the Little Spoon meals won’t go to waste. All of Little Spoon’s offerings are easy to store and don’t take up too much space. Even if you order 12 meals a week, you’ll be fine, even without a large refrigerator.
Carlin tried several of the Plates, including the Chicken Pot Stickers, Chicken Teriyaki, Turkey Taco and Whole Wheat Penne with Turkey Kale Meatballs. She enjoyed all of them, but the Chicken Pot Stickers and Teriyaki were her favourites. While she isn’t always the most enthusiastic eater, she went after that teriyaki rice like nothing I’ve ever seen. She really enjoyed these meals. I also personally took at least a bite or two of everything and wish they had larger portions for adults.
My daughter usually eats with her fingers as well as a toddler fork and she had no trouble picking up the food. However, I still cut the pasta, meatballs and broccoli into smaller pieces. While the pieces weren’t particularly large, she prefers her food cut up a bit smaller. For this reason, I might try the Biteables in the future.
I was genuinely impressed by Little Spoon’s packaging. The cardboard cover comes off easily (much more so than a typical tv dinner), and then you simply heat the plate in the microwave. There’s a plastic wrap that stays on during cooking and comes off effortlessly (without burning your fingers) once the meal is ready.
The plate is a cheerful turquoise colour, which is appealing to kids. It’s also divided into sections, so each component of the meal stays separate—unless, of course, your child wants to mix them up. Best of all, cleanup is a breeze. Since the meal is already prepped and served on a disposable plate, all you need to do is toss it out or clean the plate in your dishwasher.
Each Little Spoon meal is made with organic ingredients and well-balanced with proteins, carbs and veggies. Designed to accommodate kids of all ages, it takes the stress out of mealtime, prep and grocery shopping.
Since the ingredients and potential allergens are clearly noted on the website, there’s no need to read a lengthy ingredient list printed in a tiny font, as you would typically find on a pre-packaged meal. This is particularly important for kids with serious allergies or dietary restrictions—there’s zero guesswork, ensuring maximum safety.
Little Spoon is also a fantastic option for picky eaters. With helpful labels like "Picky Eater Favourite" and "Popular," choosing meals couldn’t be easier. In terms of convenience, Little Spoon is a clear winner. With flexible plans, the ability to order meals online and delivery straight to your door, it simplifies busy family life without compromising on food quality or healthy eating.
Little Spoon isn’t cheap when compared to the cost of making your own food or buying other prepared meals for your child. That said, for busy parents who rarely have a moment to spare—let alone grocery shop, prepare a meal and clean up—it could definitely be worth the cost. Even having just a few meals delivered each week can give parents a well-deserved break.
Another factor to consider is packaging waste. While the packaging is minimal, it’s still more wasteful than feeding your child whatever the adults are eating or doing meal prep. However, the cardboard is recyclable, and the plates can be reused and even washed in the dishwasher. Lastly, while portion sizes are adequate, they might not be enough for really big eaters. So, you may need to supplement with a snack or dessert.
When it comes to general convenience, Little Spoon gets an A+. There’s simply no faster way to serve your little ones. While you can certainly find microwave meals that are equally convenient, no other brand in the U.S. sets strict limits for more than 500 toxins and contaminants.
Better yet, the menu is incredible, offering healthy yet kid-friendly spins on favourites like pasta, meatballs and tacos, along with useful add-ons like pouches and bars. It’s safe for children with food allergies and restrictions, too. So, if health and convenience are of the utmost priority for your family, Little Spoon is certainly worthwhile.
This article contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Keep up with your baby's development, get the latest parenting content and receive special offers from our partners
Amanda Lauren is an interior designer, lifestyle expert, content creator and media consultant with over a decade of experience. In addition to Today’s Parent, she contributes to Forbes, Real Simple, and Yahoo among other publications. Amanda is based in Los Angeles and East Hampton.
After experiencing a miscarriage, three IUI procedures and two and a half rounds of IVF, Amanda naturally conceived her daughter, Carlin, who was born in April 2023. As a working mom, she embraces the challenge of balancing it all, sharing tips, tricks, ideas and products that make life easier.
A strong advocate for a non-toxic, aesthetically pleasing lifestyle, Amanda enjoys sharing her favourite finds and educating parents on the importance of “better-for-you” products.