Mothers all over know that toddlers are into new things. They’re curious and adventurous, which translates to the foods and snacks they’re eating. No longer are they sitting passively while being fed. They’re more involved in the process and want to use their hands to make new discoveries. Give them treats that not only bring a smile to their face, but will provide nutritional value and add to developing healthy eating habits that will last a life time.
Here are some fun foods that toddlers love to eat.
- Cereal is always an obvious option for toddlers. Especially Cheerios. They’re made of whole grain and are easy for a toddler to pick up, hold, and eat. Cereals can be put in small cups or containers and carried around by your child. Avoid overly sugary cereals that provide less nutritional value.
- Scrambled eggs provide an excellent source of protein and are delicious for your kids to eat. They’re easy on the mouth and can be eaten by hand once they cool off a little. Just watch the temperature before serving.
- Miniature vanilla wafer can accompany yogurt or peanut butter (watch food allergies) and, while sweet, aren’t overly sugary.
- Cut up bananas into pieces that your tot can use their fingers to pick up and eat. By cutting the banana into smaller pieces, it cuts down on possibly choking. The fruit is soft and easy to chew.
- Sandwiches made with cookie cutters make eating more fun and interesting when the look and shape is different. Visit a discount or kitchen store for cookie cutters of all shapes like hearts, dinosaurs, animals, etc.
- Use the cookie cutters on cheese slices, as well. Assemble a kiddie cheese and fruit tray with apple and banana slices and cheese either cut in small chunks or in animal shapes. This is sure to be a big hit at any house.
- Sweet potatoes are filled with vitamins and every so good for your tot. Make them some “healthy fries” by peeling a sweet potato and cutting into small matchsticks. Spray with cooking spray and bake in the oven until soft and golden brown. Delicious!
- Cut up broccoli florets and call them “trees.” Serve with Ranch dressing.
- Cut up pineapple and serve with yogurt for dipping.
- Remove skin from a cooked hot dog and cut into small slices for ease of eating. Or serve Vienna sausages from the can in the same manner.
- Popcorn—without all the salt and butter—makes for a healthy and fun snack. Serve in a bowl or paper bag to mix things up.
- Jell-O is a great snack in many fruity flavors. Purchase the pre-made small cups in the store or make a large tray yourself and use the aforementioned cookie cutters for fun shapes or animals.
- Goldfish crackers are perfect. They’re already in an animal form and shape and they’re crunchy and yummy. They can be carried around in a small container for little fingers to delve into.
- Grapes offer nutrition, flavor, and fun. Serve a variety of green and red seedless grapes and watch little hands go to work. Or, cut the grapes in half to make them last longer.
- Applesauce is a winner at all ages. It’s soft, cool, and sweet. Smaller packages found in stores are easy to carry around for emergency snacking purposes.
- Freeze your toddler’s favorite juice for a exciting frozen treat. You can also add small chunks of fruit to the juice as it’s freezing for more variety.
Not only are these great foods for toddler and kid meals day to day, but they are great party foods for birthdays or baby showers.
Criss White writes about family, pregnancy, and baby topics. To check out some baby shower food ideas, visit Baby Shower Ideas.
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