Making snacks for your toddler can be a difficult one when you are constantly chasing after them and cleaning up after them! The ultimate goal, though, is that you are able to give your hungry kiddies healthy snacks in between meals that will contribute to their overall health. A lot of times, meal prep ahead of time is the best way to go, however, no matter which way you want to make a snack, we have tons of inspiration for you!
1. Healthy Muffins
Kids aren't always the easiest crowd to please when it comes to eating healthy greens! However, muffins are always something kids love to munch on.
Try Forkly's recipe for kid-approved Green Smoothie Muffins. Toddlers will enjoy the sweetness provided by the maple syrup and applesauce, but will seriously benefit from the baby kale that is packed with iron and antioxidants.
2. Cheese and Crackers
This traditional snack for little ones still comes in as a favorite snack for toddlers today. You can switch up the crackers each time and even use seed crackers if you want to avoid any additives to your little one's snack.
With whole wheat crackers and light cheese, your toddler will be getting some fiber, protein, and calcium that will help fuel them for lots of play all day long.
3. Homemade Fruit Salad
Fruit salad is nutritious, delicious and beautiful! Chop up a variety of fruits into a bowl for your child and let them enjoy. It is also a great way to introduce new fruits into the mix without the child noticing too much of a difference.
Some fruits you may want to include would be any type of berry, grapefruit, oranges, apples, peaches, and grapes. No matter what the combination, you can rest easy knowing your little one has had a nutritious snack.
4. Healthy Spreads
Have you tried making homemade almond butter before? How about cashew butter? Not only will it be a fun activity for you and your child, but it will also provide them with a filling spread for their toast in the morning. Everything tastes better when it's homemade!
Another fun recipe to try would be homemade chocolate and hazelnut spread. In doing this, you can control how much sugar is added and also prevent your little one from eating the store-bought stuff that is packed with additives.
5. Veggies and Hummus
If your little one wants to munch on some veggies, try adding a little hummus into the mix! It's super flavorful, easy to digest and loaded with health benefits.
Chickpeas help give your little one lots of fiber and protein while filling them up long enough for you to get home and make supper. No cranky toddler here!
6. Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Baked sweet potato fries are another snack that you can make ahead of time and have on hand in the fridge ready for a quick warm up in the microwave. Sweet potato fries can also be seasoned any way you like from salt and pepper to Italian seasoning with parmesan.
7. Yogurt and Berries
Yogurt is packed with probiotics that are super beneficial to your child's overall digestive health. The calcium in the yogurt helps your little one have strong bones and the protein provides the energy he or she needs to run around all day long (except for nap time)!
Add berries to give your toddler a good serving of fruit that is packed with antioxidants. Make sure to slice any berries up that may be a choking hazard.
8. Smoothie
Not only is it a delicious snack to serve, but it's pretty adorable to hear a toddler say the word smoothie because it usually comes out as "smoovie". Pack your blender with your child's favorite fruits and veggies, pour into a sippy cup with a straw and serve!
You can add avocado to make it extra creamy and to give your little one some good omega-3 fatty acids which help improve their cognitive functioning. You can also add a handful of tasteless spinach for iron and antioxidants.
9. Bananas
Bananas are high in potassium and are easy to eat for toddlers who want to eat their food all on their own. Potassium is not only wonderful for lowering your child's chances of having a stroke or high blood pressure in the future but also can contribute to reducing stress and anxiety.
If you have a whiney babe, incorporate some more potassium into their diet with some banana snacks and see if it helps! Divide the banana into four-parts lengthwise to ensure choking doesn't become an issue.
10. Homemade Popsicles
On a hot summer day or on a day when your toddler is sick, give them a homemade popsicle to cool down their body temperature and to get them hydrated!
Mix 100% fruit juice and plain yogurt as your base and add in sliced fruit if you want your child to get some whole fruit in their snack as well. Freeze for a few hours and serve!
11. Sandwich Roll-Ups
Sandwiches can be messy to serve to a toddler who is a little bit of a mess maker. Instead of slices of bread, use whole grain wraps. Filled the wrap with some cream cheese, fruit or veggies and roll it all up!
Once the wrap has been tightly rolled, slice into bite sizes pieces and add to a Ziploc bag if you are on the road. Your toddler can munch on a good snack, mess-free while you focus on eating for yourself as well!
12. Snack Skewers
Stack some snacks onto a skewer starting with some cheese and ham. You can also add squares of whole wheat bread, halved cherry tomatoes and lettuce.
This snack requires no cleanup and can help you prepare an easy mini meal without much fuss. With a snack like this, it's almost impossible for your toddler to dislike it! Be sure to break off any sharp ends or opt for a plastic skewer to avoid any wee injuries!
13. Cottage Cheese
If your child is sick and tired of yogurt, try serving them cottage cheese! It is packed with protein and also offers calcium and vitamin B-12. It is most often served with an array of fruit that you can either add to your bowl of cottage cheese or use the fruit to scoop up the cottage cheese.
You can also add chopped veggies in place of fruit such as tomatoes and cucumber or corn and peas for a lower sugar snack with lots of nutritional value.