Just as cars need good fuel to run, toddlers need healthy snacks to fuel their bodies and minds.
Snacks are important for toddlers because their smaller stomachs fill up fast and their energy can quickly deplete their food fuel, leaving their fuel tanks running on low.
Snacks provide toddlers:
- Nutrients between meals
- Hydration
- Energy to play
- Energy to manage their moods so there is less crankiness
Including your toddler in healthy snack planning and preparation can help your toddler learn about healthy snack choices. Here are some fun, simple, finger-friendly, healthy snack ideas you can make together:
- Fruit Kabobs. Have your toddler pick out some favorite fruits. Prepare the fruits as needed to put on small wooden kabob skewers for a quick and fun snack. Let your toddler help put the fruit on the skewers. Bonus, your toddler is also developing fine motor skills when putting the fruit on the skewers.
- Banana Roll Ups. Have your toddler spread some peanut butter on a tortilla, add a banana, and roll it up. Next, slice the rolled up tortilla to make little pinwheels.
- Fruit Popsicles. Have your toddler pick a favorite fruit and 100% juice and mix together to put in a freezer popsicle mold. Your toddler will love seeing the liquid transform to a solid.
- Butterfly Snack Bags. Use a clothespin to clamp the middle of a small, snack-sized baggie. Let your toddler fill one side with crackers and one side with pieces of fruit or veggies.
- Cereal Yogurt Bark. Spread Greek yogurt on the bottom of a wax paper lined pan, have your toddler sprinkle a little favorite cereal on top and freeze. Then let your toddler break the frozen treat apart to make small pieces of cereal bark for snacking.
- No Bake Oatmeal Balls. Help your toddler pour and mix together rolled oats, peanut butter, and mini chocolate chips. Roll into balls and refrigerate before enjoying.
- Baked Veggie Chips. Slice vegetables (carrot, cucumber, zucchini) into thin slices. Next, let your toddler help lay the slices out onto a pan. Place in a 400-degree oven for 20 minutes for a healthy, crunchy snack you can both enjoy.
Encourage your toddler to help prepare healthy snacks. When you allow your toddler to dip, pour and spread things while preparing snacks, you are helping your toddler develop healthy habits and fine motor skills all at the same time.
For more healthy living tips and tools, check out Sanford Fit.
Learn more
- The secret to creating healthy eating habits in children
- Quick and healthy snacks busy parents can make
- Fuel your kids for after school with healthy snacks
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Posted In Children's, Healthy Living, Parenting
