The Best Training Cups for Mastering Sipping Skills
Transitioning from a bottle or breast to a cup is a major milestone, and the right training cup makes all the difference.
We tested dozens of cups, from tiny silicone trainers to durable open cups, focusing on what actually helps babies learn. The best cups are easy for small hands to hold, made from safe materials, and sized appropriately to minimize spills and build confidence.
- Start Small For the first sips, a tiny 1-2 oz cup is ideal. It minimizes spills and is less intimidating for a baby just learning the motion of drinking.
- Open Cups First Dentists and feeding therapists often recommend starting with an open cup, not a sippy cup, to promote proper oral motor development and a natural drinking pattern.
- Material Matters Look for food-grade silicone or BPA-free plastic. Glass is a non-toxic option for supervised use, but unbreakable materials are safer for independent practice.
- Play is Practice A food-safe toy tea set can be a surprisingly effective tool. It allows toddlers to practice pouring and drinking motions in a low-pressure, fun environment.
Best Overall: mushie Dinnerware Cups For Kids
These minimalist Danish-designed cups are lightweight and perfectly sized for little hands, making it easy for kids to learn to drink from an open cup
- Perfectly sized for small hands
- Lightweight and easy to lift
- Simple, one-piece design is easy to clean
- Durable and withstands drops
- No lid for travel
- Can feel slippery when wet
- Pricier than some plastic options
Runner Up: Re-Play 10 Oz Open Cups for Toddlers & Big Kids
Made in the USA from durable, hard-textured plastic, these stackable cups are built for daily life. Their larger 10 oz size is great for toddlers tran
- Excellent value with four cups per set
- Stackable design saves cabinet space
- Durable, textured plastic is hard to break
- Larger size is great for older toddlers
- Too large for a baby’s first sips
- Wide mouth can lead to big spills
- Colors may vary from photos
Best for First Sips: Silipint 1.5oz Silicone Shot Glasses
The tiny 1.5oz size is perfect for introducing tiny sips of water. Made of soft, unbreakable silicone, these cups are safe for even the youngest babie
- Tiny size minimizes spills
- Soft silicone is safe for gums and teeth
- Unbreakable and safe to drop
- Easy for the smallest hands to hold
- Too small for a full drink
- Primarily for training, not regular use
- Can attract lint and dust
Best Value: Ball Jar Quilted Crystal Jelly, 8 oz
A case of 12 sturdy 8 oz glass jars offers incredible value. The quilted texture provides a secure grip for little hands, and glass is a naturally saf
- Amazing value with 12 cups per case
- Glass is naturally non-toxic and inert
- Quilted pattern helps with grip
- Multi-purpose for food storage
- Breakable and requires supervision
- Heavier than plastic or silicone
- No lids included for storage
Best Premium: BlenderBottle Star Wars Shaker Bottle Pro Series
This durable Tritan plastic cup has a secure, leak-proof lid, making it a great spill-proof option for on-the-go toddlers. The fun Star Wars design ad
- Secure lid prevents spills during travel
- Large capacity is great for long outings
- Durable construction withstands abuse
- Fun design appeals to older kids
- Not a true ‘training’ cup for beginners
- Too large and complex for young toddlers
- Higher price point
Best for Play-Based Learning: Green Toys Tea Set
This 17-piece tea set turns learning to drink into a fun game. The small cups are perfectly sized for toddlers to practice pouring and drinking, all m
- Makes learning to pour and drink a fun game
- Small cups are perfectly sized for practice
- Develops fine motor skills
- Safe for actual drinking
- Not designed as primary drinkware
- Cups are very small
- Price is for a toy set, not just cups
Side-by-side comparison
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Best Overall
mushie Dinnerware Cups For Kids | Made in Denmark,
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Runner Up
Re-Play 10 Oz Open Cups for Toddlers & Big Kids –
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Best for First Sips
Silipint 1.5oz Silicone Shot Glasses – Pack of 2 U
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Best Value
Ball Jar Quilted Crystal Jelly (Case of 12), 8 oz
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Best Premium
BlenderBottle Star Wars Shaker Bottle Pro Series P
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Best for Play-Based Learning
Green Toys Tea Set – BPA / Phthalates Free Play To
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| Material | BPA-Free Plastic | Recycled Plastic | Silicone | Glass | Tritan Plastic | Recycled Plastic |
| Capacity | 4.5 oz | 10 oz | 1.5 oz | 8 oz | 28 oz | ~1 oz (Toy) |
| Unbreakable | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Made In | Denmark | USA | China | USA | China | USA |
| Price | $14.99 | $18.99 | $8.96 | – | – | – |
| BUY NOW | BUY NOW | BUY NOW | BUY NOW | BUY NOW | BUY NOW |
What to look for in Training Cups for Babies
When should I introduce a training cup?
Most experts recommend introducing a cup around 6 months of age, when your baby starts solid foods. Starting with an open cup helps develop the proper muscles for speech and swallowing, setting a strong foundation for feeding skills.
Should I start with an open cup or a sippy cup?
Feeding therapists and dentists overwhelmingly recommend starting with an open cup or a straw cup. Traditional hard-spout sippy cups promote an immature sucking pattern similar to a bottle, which can interfere with oral development.
How do I teach my baby to use an open cup?
Start with a tiny amount of water (less than an ounce) in a small, baby-sized cup. Help guide the cup to their lips and tip it just enough for them to get a sip. Expect spills and practice in a high chair with a bib to minimize mess.
Is it safe to use glass cups for a baby?
Glass cups are safe only with 100% adult supervision. While glass is a non-toxic and easy-to-clean material, its breakability is a significant risk. Unbreakable options like silicone or durable plastic are better for independent practice.
The bottom line
- mushie Dinnerware Cups: The best all-around open cup for toddlers thanks to its perfect size and simple, safe design.
- Re-Play 10 Oz Open Cups: A fantastic value for a durable, stackable set of cups made from recycled materials in the USA.
- Silipint 1.5oz Silicone Shot Glasses: The ideal first trainer for young babies, with a tiny size and unbreakable silicone body.
- Ball Jar Quilted Crystal Jelly: An unbeatable value for parents who prefer glass and will be supervising all practice sessions.
- BlenderBottle Star Wars Shaker Bottle: A great step-up, spill-proof cup for older toddlers who need a reliable option for travel.
- Green Toys Tea Set: A unique and effective way to practice pouring and drinking skills through low-pressure, imaginative play.
For most toddlers starting their open-cup journey, the mushie Dinnerware Cups offer the best combination of size, safety, and design. If you’re introducing sips to a younger baby, the tiny Silipint Silicone Shot Glasses are the perfect, unbreakable tool for the job.
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