40+ Easy Toddler Snacks Every Kid (and Parent) Will Love

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.

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.

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Cheeseburger Mini Muffins

I 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, ColoradoGo to Recipe

Creamy Skillet Noodles with Peas

I’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, PennsylvaniaGo to Recipe

Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips

I first made this fresh, fruity 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 CarolinaGo to Recipe

Wheely-Good Pasta Salad

Red pepper pieces accent this yummy side dish, and the pasta wheels really drive the theme home. —Amber Kimmich, Powhatan, VirginiaGo to Recipe  

Homemade Guacamole

Nothing is better than freshly made guacamole when you’re eating something spicy. It is easy to whip together in a matter of minutes and quickly tames anything that’s too hot. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, TexasGo to Recipe

Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges

I 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, UtahGo to Recipe

Kids’ Favorite Chili

This 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, ColoradoGo to Recipe

Chocolate-Hazelnut Fruit Pizza

You 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 DakotaGo to Recipe

PBJ on a Stick

Take the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the go with these skewers. They also make easy snacks. —Sara Martin, Brookfield, WisconsinGo to Recipe

Mini Mac & Cheese Bites

Young relatives were coming for a Christmas party, so I wanted something fun for them to eat. Instead, the adults devoured my mini mac and cheese. —Kate Mainiero, Elizaville, New YorkGo to RecipeTaste of Home

ABC Cheese Dip

My 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, VirginiaGo to Recipe

Pizza Wraps

This 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, ColoradoGo to Recipe

Pico de Gallo Black Bean Soup

Everyone 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, WisconsinGo to RecipeTaste of Home

Pigs in a Pool

My 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 CarolinaGo to Recipe

Apple and Peanut Butter Stackers

The 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, WisconsinGo to Recipe

Cheesy Quesadillas

We serve these quesadillas as chili dippers or load them up with salsa and sour cream for a super starter. —Terri Keeney, Greeley, ColoradoGo to RecipeTaste of Home

Lunch Box Pizzas

When 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, TexasGo to Recipe

Satisfying Tomato Soup

After 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, OntarioGo to RecipeTaste of Home

Peanut Butter Granola Pinwheels

I 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, MassachusettsGo to RecipeTaste of Home

Cheesy Egg Puffs

My 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, KansasGo to Recipe

Strawberry Lime Smoothies

Peak-of-freshness strawberries make this thinner, easy drink a summer staple. —Elizabeth Johnson, Greenville, South CarolinaGo to RecipeTaste of Home

Yogurt Dill Dip

Every person who tries this dip wants to know what makes it taste special. The secret is the blend of yogurt, sour cream and mayo. —Krisann Durnford, Muskego, WisconsinGo to Recipe

Pizza Meat Loaf Cups

Fix and freeze these moist little meat loaves packed with pizza flavor. They’re great to reheat for an after-school snack or quick dinner on soccer night. My family likes to drizzle extra pizza sauce on top. —Susan Wollin, Marshall, WisconsinGo to Recipe

Fruit and Cheese Kabobs

We 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, WisconsinGo to Recipe

Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese

When 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, TexasGo to Recipe ⓘ