Easy Toddler Snacks that Foster Independence
If you have a toddler, then you know that they want to be as independent as possible. They are curious and capable little beings that want to do things for themselves. We can support their need for autonomy by offering them snacks that give them opportunities to engage in meaningful work. Here are some quick and easy toddler snacks that will also foster independence!
Peeling a Clementine
Clementines are a refreshing, sweet snack that also offers many opportunities for concentration and fine motor skills. Start by peeling back a small section of the clementine and show your toddler how to pull off the peel. Offer a small bowl for them to place their peels into. Once the clementine is peeled, they can separate all of the sections. You could offer a small bowl for all of the pieces of their clementine as well.
Peeling and Chopping a Banana
We can turn eating a banana into an engaging work opportunity by offering a wooden chopping knife on a cutting board to cut the banana into slices. Start by making a small slit at the top of the banana so your child can peel it. Then, show them how to use the knife to chop a banana. Offer a small bowl for them to place their pieces into. However, if your child is anything like mine, they will just eat as they go, and that’s okay too!
Butter or Nut Butter Toast
Spreading butter or a nut butter like peanut butter on toast is a great way to offer more independence in the feeding expereince for a toddler. Your toddler could even place the bread into the toaster, push it down to toast, and use wooden toast tongs to grab their toast and put it onto their plate. Of course, you will need to supervise this whole process.
Offer a small dish of either butter or peanut butter or any nut butter of your choosing. A small spreading knife is best for this becasue it doesn’t have any serrated edges and makes spreading easy. Model to your child how to scoop the butter or nut butter onto their spreader and spread it evenly on their toast.
Peeling and Slicing a Hard-Boiled Egg
A hard-boiled egg is a great protein-packed snack for toddlers. An older toddler could work to peel the shell away from their egg. We love our countertop electric egg cooker. Making hard-boiled eggs is so easy and they peel perfectly every time!
Offer a small dish to have your toddler place their eggshells into. An egg slicer can be used to cut their egg into slices easily. They could use miniature tongs to transfer the slices to their plate.
Slicing Grapes
A grape slicer is the perfect kitchen tool for your toddler. It makes eating grapes fun but also much safer! Plucking the grapes from the vine is excellent work for a toddler as well! Offer a small bunch of grapes, a grape slicer, and a small bowl to put the sliced grapes into.
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Yogurt and Granola
Learning to eat with a spoon is a skill in and of itself! I have found yogurt to be a great toddler snack. We offer plain whole-milk Greek yogurt. I like that it is thicker and stays on the spoon better than your average yogurt. Topped with my homemade cinnamon nut granola, you will want to have a bowl yourself!
Here are some ways to foster independence with yogurt and granola as a snack:
- Make my homemade granola recipe with your toddler, it is a child friendly recipe!
- Have your toddler scoop their yogurt into their bowl from the container.
- Put a tablespoon scoop into your container of granola. Have your toddler sprinkle their granola onto their bowl of yogurt.
Scooping Out an Avocado
This one is so simple and a superfood snack! Cut an avocado in half and offer your toddler a spoon. With a ripe avocado, your toddler will be able to scoop out right from the peel. I have found this to be a much more engaging way for my boys to enjoy avocados. Surprisingly, it seems that they eat more avocado this way!
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
If you are looking for a delicious new snack recipe to try out in the kitchen with your toddler, try these no-bake chocolate peanut butter balls. They can be mixed up in just a few minutes and ready shortly after they chill. They make a great on-the-go snack and are calorie-dense for your busy toddler!
