Snack Catcher

There is a seemingly endless variety of toddler snack cups, and I will not pretend that we have tested enough of them to declare one the absolute best. What I can say is that the Munchkin Snack Catcher rose above the wasteland of discarded cups left in the wake of our toddlers’ destruction and became the only one we consistently used.

A screw-on lid is non-negotiable for us. Snap-on lids work well until a child learns how to pop them off, at which point the entire cup can be dumped in one triumphant motion. The Snack Catcher’s threaded lid takes more effort to remove and has remained attached through drops, throws, and plenty of determined toddler handling.

The other advantage is how completely the soft silicone flaps cover the opening. Kids can push a hand through to grab a snack, but Cheerios, crackers, and other larger pieces generally stay inside when the cup tips over. The two handles give small hands an easy place to grip, while the tapered base fits most car-seat, stroller, and vehicle cup holders.

This is still a spill-resistant snack cup, not a sealed container. Fine crumbs can work their way through the flaps, particularly when the cup is shaken, and a sufficiently determined child may eventually figure out how to loosen the threaded lid. We would use it for snacks on the go, but we would not throw a full cup upside down into a diaper bag and expect every crumb to remain contained.

Cleaning is straightforward. The colored cup, white handle and lid section, and clear silicone top all separate, giving you direct access to every surface. There are no permanently enclosed spaces where crushed snacks can hide, and the pieces are safe for the top rack of the dishwasher.

The price is also hard to beat. Toddler accessories have a way of disappearing. At $5.99 for a two-pack, losing one is annoying rather than catastrophic.