Updated: Apr. 12, 2024
You'll want to print our this list of toddler snacks and hang it on your refrigerator.
Do toddlers need snacks? Absolutely. Whether your kiddos are at the park, home or preschool, there’s one thing you know for certain: your child is hungry! It’s time to break out the toddler snacks.
The list of snack ideas below will keep you and your toddler happy.
4 Things to Do When Choosing Toddler Snacks
Even the best chewers can get distracted, especially excited toddlers. Be sure to have children sit down to eat and tune into the foods while eating. No matter the food type, a distracted eater is a hazard. Here are some added tips for packing fun and safe snacks:
1. Keep Things Colorful
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Monochromatic lunches can be boring, so try adding pops of color with blue blueberries, purple grapes or bright red strawberries.
2. Add a Handful of Crunch
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Foods like crisp cucumbers or snappy pretzels are fun sensory foods for tongues.
3. Cut Out Shapes
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If your kids are really struggling to try new fruits and vegetables, use a cookie cutter($12) to cut out a fun shape, or create an animal with the food to spark their interest. Think back to ants on a log (celery sticks filled with peanut butter and topped with raisins).
4. Make Safety a Priority
What foods should toddlers avoid? Consider choking hazards when packing toddler snacks.The most common choking hazards include:
- Hot dogs
- Round fruits and vegetables
- Hard candy
- Whole nuts
- Nut butter
- Popcorn
- Marshmallows
Use this guide to choking prevention to avoid choking hazards and pack safe foods.
Healthy Snacks for Toddlers with Protein and Fat
High-Protein Snacks
Here are a couple of healthy protein snacks that are perfect for a lunchbox or snack at home.
- Greek yogurt. Skip the flavored stuff and add in your own sliced fruit instead.
- Nut butters. Away from school, peanut butter or almond butter are great high-protein snacks. Spread a thin layer of PB on crackers or check out Bamba, the peanut butter puffs at Trader Joe’s. Try these high-protein low-carb snacks.
- Edamame or tofu. The soybean snacks are delicious and nutritious. You can also try pan-seared tofu for a firmer texture.
- Smoothies. Stick with a base of yogurt, milk and nut butters. I like using ½ cup yogurt + 1 tablespoon almond butter + 1 handful spinach leaves + ½ banana + 1 cup milk, it’s a green treat!
- Egg salad or boiled eggs
- Bean fritters or bean dip
- Tuna salad. Kick up the nutrition by making it with Greek yogurt instead of mayo.
High-Fat Snacks
What are good snacks for toddlers? Toddlers definitely need healthy fats as their brains continue to grow at a rapid pace.
- Whole-fat Greek yogurt with chia or flaxseeds. Both chia and flaxseeds are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are preferred for brain development.
- Nut butters and seeds. Find a healthy nut butter and spread a thin layer on a cracker or piece of toast for a simple high-fat snack.
- Avocados. Sliced or mashed, they’re a tasty way to get extra nutrition and a dose of healthy fats.
- Cheese. Try a variety of sliced or grated cheeses, on a sandwich, a cracker or melted into a quesadilla.
- Olives. Just make sure this Mediterranean treat is without a pit!
- Whole-fat cottage cheese. Try it savory or sweet and see how your toddler prefers it.
- English Muffin Pizzas. Be sure to have your toddler choose their favorite toppings.
Snacks for Toddlers on the Go
Snacking at the Park
If you’re headed out to the park, consider packing foods that can handle warm temperatures or be sure to use an ice pack. You also want to avoid snacks that are messy or will require a hand washing after and don’t pack snacks with wrappers in case trash receptacles are limited.
- Cucumber sticks
- Pretzels
- Hummus
- Boiled eggs
- Mandarin oranges
- Berries
- Kiwi
- Carrot sticks (for younger children, consider grating a carrot or cutting into matchsticks, serving one stick at a time)
- Fruit leather. If you’re interested in making your own, check out this recipe for Apricot Leather.
- Muffins can be a great way to sneak in vegetables, like pumpkin or zucchini. Try these Apple Pumpkin Muffins.
Lunchbox Snacks
You want to pack every day’s lunch with healthy snacks for toddlers. Many schools now ask that you keep their space a nut-free zone, and we absolutely want to support those who have allergies. If your child loves peanut butter, opt for a sunflower butter instead! Here are a few preschool-friendly ideas:
- Avocado toast
- Quesadillas
- Crackers with cheese and meats (Skip the store-bought packages and make your own to keep costs low.)
- Homemade granola bars
- Egg salad and crackers
- Dried apple slices
- Apple sauce
- Dried fruit
- Fresh berries
- Sliced grapes (Cut lengthwise to prevent choking.)
- Pasta salad
- Hummus or bean dip
- Beans or lentils
- Kale or veggie chips
- Yogurt
- Cottage cheese with canned peaches
- Cucumber slices or sticks
- Grated carrots
- Savory or sweet muffins
- Crackers (Make your own fish-shaped crackers with this recipe for Homemade Crisp Crackers and a fish cookie cutter.)
You can pack a variety of the snacks above into a bento box lunch like this for your toddler.
One Last Note About Toddler Snacks
Remember that toddlers have varying appetites and energy needs. Some toddlers may be on the move all day long and hungry more often, and others may only graze. Tune them into their tummies and help foster their intuition in being a mindful eater. They’re actually better at this than most adults!
If you’re struggling and finding yourself engaging in food battles, then check the Ellyn Satter Institute to guide table talk and find ways to raise intuitive eaters.
The Best Lunch Ideas for Toddlers
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Cheeseburger Mini Muffins Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Cheeseburger Mini MuffinsI invented these cute little muffins so I could enjoy the flavor of cheeseburgers without resorting to fast food. I often freeze a batch and reheat however many I need, including as appetizers. —Teresa Kraus, Cortez, Colorado
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Creamy Skillet Noodles with PeasI’ve made this creamy noodle side for years. Since kids and adults go for it, I keep the ingredients on hand at all times. —Anita Groff, Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania
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Fruit Salsa Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Fruit SalsaI first made this fresh fruit salsa for a family baby shower. Everyone wanted the recipe. Now, someone makes this juicy snack for just about every family gathering—and I have to keep reminding everyone who introduced it! —Jessica Robinson, Indian Trail, North Carolina
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Wheely-Good Pasta SaladRed pepper pieces accent this yummy side dish, and the pasta wheels really drive the theme home. —Amber Kimmich, Powhatan, Virginia
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Homemade Guacamole Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Homemade GuacamoleI always judge a Tex-Mex restaurant by its guacamole. And although it's simple to prepare, it can go wrong oh, so easily. I've spent many years perfecting mine, to the point where I think it's better than most restaurants. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
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Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Grilled Sweet Potato WedgesI love when an entire meal can be cooked outside on the grill and I don't need to heat up the kitchen. These grilled sweet potatoes meet that requirement and are healthy, too! —Natalie Knowlton, Kamas, Utah
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Kids' Favorite ChiliThis third-generation hearty chili is a family favorite. It's a sweet and easy chili that's sure to warm up the whole family on those chilly fall nights. —Terri Keeney, Greeley, Colorado
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Chocolate-Hazelnut Fruit PizzaYou can prepare this snackable pizza in just 10 minutes! It's a fun way to sneak in those daily servings of fruit. —Dalynn Dowling, Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota
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PBJ on a StickTake the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the go with these skewers. They also make easy snacks. —Sara Martin, Brookfield, Wisconsin
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Young relatives were coming for a Christmas party, so I wanted something fun for them to eat. To my surprise, it was the adults who devoured these mini mac and cheese bites. —Kate Mainiero, Elizaville, New York
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ABC Cheese DipMy children like this dip because the seasoning is mild. You can use plain veggie sticks or cut out numbers and letters from the sweet peppers. —Kimberly Miller, Norfolk, Virginia
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Pizza WrapsThis recipe features the flavors of your favorite pie but only takes a few minutes to make—and there’s no cooking or baking required. Perfect for when you’re rushing to get kids on the bus! —Elizabeth Dumont, Boulder, Colorado
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Pico de Gallo Black Bean SoupEveryone at my table goes for this feel-good soup. It is quick when you’re pressed for time and beats fast food, hands down. —Darlis Wilfer, West Bend, Wisconsin
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Pigs in a Pool Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Pigs in a PoolMy kids love sausages and pancakes but making them during the week was out of the question. I bought the frozen variety on a stick but wasn't keen on the calories, additives or price. This version of pigs-in-a-blanket is a tasty, thrifty alternative. —Lisa Dodd, Greenville, South Carolina
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Apple and Peanut Butter StackersThe best way to get kids interested in cooking and eating right is to let them help. These apple and peanut butter "sandwiches" are one fun way to pique their interest and kitchen creativity. —Shirley Warren, Thiensville, Wisconsin
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Cheesy QuesadillasWe serve these quesadillas as chili dippers or load them up with salsa and sour cream for a super starter. —Terri Keeney, Greeley, Colorado
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Lunch Box PizzasWhen you have these fun-to-make mini pizzas, it's no challenge finding lunch fare that the kids enjoy. Plus they pack nicely in sandwich bags and travel well, so there's no mess. —Rhonda Cliett, Belton, Texas
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Satisfying Tomato SoupAfter craving tomato soup, I decided to make my own. My sister Joan likes it chunky-style, so she doesn't puree. Serve it with a grilled cheese sandwich. —Marian Brown, Mississauga, Ontario
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Peanut Butter Granola PinwheelsI came across this easy and tasty snack while searching online for healthy munchies for kids. Great for after school, it's really quick to make and filling enough to hold the kids until dinner. To satisfy heftier appetites or to serve as a power lunch, cut each tortilla into fewer pieces or provide one per child. The recipe is easy to increase as needed. —Mary Haluch, Ludlow, Massachusetts
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Cheesy Egg Puffs Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Cheesy Egg PuffsMy father loves to entertain, and these buttery egg delights are one of his favorite items to serve at brunch. The leftovers are perfect to reheat in the microwave on busy mornings, so Dad always stashes a few aside for me to take home once the party is over. —Amy Soto, Winfield, Kansas
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Strawberry Lime SmoothiesPeak-of-freshness strawberries make this thinner, easy drink a summer staple. —Elizabeth Johnson, Greenville, South Carolina
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Dill DipBe prepared—you'll likely need to make a double batch of this delightful dill dip recipe. One batch is never enough when we have a get-together! It tastes fantastic with just about any vegetable, so you can use whatever you have on hand as a dipper. —Kathy Beldorth, Three Oaks, Michigan
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Fruit and Cheese Kabobs Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Fruit and Cheese KabobsWe came up with this fresh and fruity summer snack idea. It's easy to make ahead and carry to the ballpark, beach or playground, and the cinnamon-spiced yogurt dip adds a fun touch kids love. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Stovetop Macaroni and CheeseWhen I was a girl, Mama used Texas longhorn cheese in this recipe. After it melted all over the macaroni, I loved to dig in and see how many strings of cheese would follow my spoonful. —Imogene Hutton, Brownwood, Texas
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