There are loads of nifty-seeming inventions out there to tempt parents of messy-eating toddlers, who later discover those products don't quite live up to the hype. Suction plates come to mind, which are pretty hit-or-miss when it comes to actually suctioning to a table.

EZPZ's Happy Mat, however, is a cut above the rest. It's a food-grade silicone mat with a three-compartment dish built in. It suctions to flat surfaces pretty well, and since the plate is part of the mat, your kid can't just tip it over or slapshot it off the table and into the next room. (Seriously, how do they even do it, it's insane...)

The main downside most people discover is that, while the silicone is technically dishwasher-safe, certain detergents tend to cause water spots that hold onto soapy tastes and smells. Your best bet is to hand-wash the mat right after eating, using something like Dawn dish soap or white vinegar in addition to the hot water.

The Happy Mat is available on Amazon for $25 and comes in blue, coral, or lime colors.