Healthy Toddler Snacks {The COMPLETE guide!}

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It can be hard to find healthy toddler snack ideas that are tasty and nutritious. I’ve put together a comprehensive list of the best toddler snacks so that you have a helpful resource. Be sure to grab the free printable of all the snack ideas below!

Serving Balanaced Toddler Snacks

Toddler snacks are fun, but they should also be healthy. Consider serving these balanced snack ideas to keep your little one happy and active throughout the day!

I typically recommend serving two food groups at a snack to make it more balanced. Serve a fiber (fruit/veggie/whole grain) along with a protein or fat to help keep your toddler full and satisfied.

How Often Should You Serve Snacks to Your Toddler

Most toddlers should eat every 2-3 hours, which usually amounts to 2 snacks (occasionally 3) and 3 meals every day. This can vary depending on your schedule, but try to serve your toddler snacks at regular times when possible.

Fruit Snack Ideas for Toddlers

Many toddlers enjoy fruit, and it can be a healthy snack option especially served alongside another food. There are many different options for fruit, from fresh fruit to dried fruit to a fruit pouch if you are traveling or need a packaged option.

Note: While fruit packs many nutrients and minerals, it will not keep your toddler full for long. I recommend pairing it with a protein or fat such as cottage cheese, yogurt, peanut butter, or even a hard-boiled egg.

Here are some of our favorite fruits for snacks:

• Apple slices (thinly sliced depending on age.)
• Banana
• Cuties/orange slices
• Berries -Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries
• Melon – cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon
• Dried fruit – prunes, dates, raisins
• Fruit Pouch – 100% fruit juice or just fruit in the pouch or applesauce pouch (a great option when you are on the go.)
• Grapes – quartered lengthwise

Note: Please ensure you are properly cutting all produce properly to minimize choking risks for your child’s age and abilities.

Veggie Snack Ideas for Toddlers

Serving veggies as snacks is a great way to get your toddler to eat their veggies! Again, there are many different options, from fresh to cooked. Here are a few of our favorite ways to serve veggies to toddlers for snack time. Be sure to cut it appropriately based on age.

• Pepper sticks
• Cucumber sticks
• Carrots – shredded depending on child’s age
• Sweet potatoes – Baked in rounds or slices.
• Broccoli – Small cut florets
• Zucchini – Sliced into small sticks.
• Tomato slices or quartered grape tomatoes

High Protein Toddler Snacks

Pairing fruit or veggies with protein is a great way to make it a complete snack that will keep your toddler or preschooler full for longer. Here are some of our favorite high protein snacks:

• Yogurt – Served alone or topped with fruit. Stoneyfield pouches are the best on the go yogurt option I’ve found for toddlers and kids.
• Cottage cheese – Served alone or with a fruit such as quartered or halved grapes.
• Cheese – Slices, shredded, or small pieces
• Hard-boiled egg or Egg Muffins -Try cutting hard-boiled eggs in long strips or small chunks for younger toddlers. Egg muffins can be a perfect protein snack for a toddler or baby during baby-led weaning!
• Kefir – Use plain kefir to make homemade smoothies with berries or serve plain if your child enjoys it like this.

Healthy Packaged Snacks for Toddlers & Kids

When you are not home and on the go with your toddler, healthy packaged snacks for toddlers & kids can offer a healthy option. These snacks are great for parks, playgrounds, restaurant trips, movie theater outings, etc. Here are some of our absolute favorite healthy packaged snack ideas:

• Dino Bars
• Crackers – Here are some of my favorite healthy cracker options for toddlers.
• Cheese Sticks
• Stoneyfield Yogurt Pouches – Recommended for 2 and older since they contain a small amount of sugar.
• Kids RX Bar – Cut into strips for young toddlers as occasionally there will be larger nut chunks.
• Raisin packs
• Mandarin Fruit Cups
• GoodPop Freezer Pops

Here’s my complete list of favorite healthy packaged snacks for toddlers.

Healthy Toddler Snack Ideas for Daycare

I use this small lunch box packer and a freezable lunch box to pack my daughter’s morning snack for preschool.

With the right supplies, you can pack any snack for daycare that you would serve at home. Just don’t forget to follow any allergy guidelines the daycare may have in place!

Here are my 11+ Easy Mix and Match Daycare Snacks for Toddlers.

Healthy Snacks for Preschool

If you need preschool snack ideas for your child to bring to share with their class, first review your school’s guidelines.

Class allergies? Are there any allergies in the class or items on the list not to bring? Some schools are nut-free, while others may have students with dairy or other allergies that they ask you not to bring.

Does it need to be packaged? Individually wrapped? Additionally, some schools may require individually wrapped prepackaged snacks or even just packaged snacks to limit the handling of items. Other schools may allow items such as cut produce but not homemade goods.

Once you review your school’s guidelines, here are some of my favorite general preschool snack ideas:

• Fresh fruit – properly cut for the age group
• Veggie sticks – Carrots, cucumbers, and peppers.
• Stoneyfield Yogurt Pouches
• Dino Bars
• Scout Organic Bars

If you need individually wrapped prepackaged snacks, check out this list!! OR, if you have an older child and need Kindergarten Snack Ideas (whether to share or just for your child) I have a whole list of those!

Best Snack Containers & On the Go Snacks

Favorite Snack Containers

We have quite a few different snack containers we use for our toddlers. Here are a couple of my favorites that are fairly versatile:

LunchBots Small Protein Packer – We have this small 2 compartment LunchBots; however, they also have this one which is the same size but with 4 compartments. The small size is perfect for snacks (vs lunch) and this is what I use to pack my 2 year old’s snack for preschool every week.

Reusable Zip Top Silicone Snack Container – We have and use these frequently for packing snacks on the go. They fit in car seat cup holders and stay closed well. Plus they are super cute – my kids love them!

Don’t forget to check out these 8 best snack containers for toddlers to find the one that fits your needs best!

On The Go & Road Trip Snack Ideas

In general, I prefer to avoid on the go snacking. Still, it’s just not feasible to have sit-down snacks all the time, especially when you have multiple kids with different activities and school schedules.

I typically prefer to use one of my favorite containers above, like this bento box and pack a snack, but sometimes we need a snack that is easier to eat on the go or even a packaged snack to keep on hand that will stay good in a diaper bag or car for road trips.

Here are a few of my favorite healthy toddler snacks for the road:

• RX Bars Kids
• Dino Bars
• Scout organic bars
• Stoneyfield yogurt pouches (if you have a cooler or lunchbox)

Here is a complete list of 45 Healthy Roadtrip Snacks for Kids and Toddlers if you need more ideas!

Healthy Homemade Snack Recipes for Toddlers

Homemade snacks are a great option for toddlers when you have the time to make them. They can often be made ahead and stored in the freezer as well.

Here are some healthy toddler snack ideas for healthy homemade snacks:

Healthy Toddler Cookies – These healthy toddler cookies are sweetened with dates and contain no added sugar. With a base of oatmeal and featuring other nutrient-dense ingredients such as flaxseed, hemp hearts, and even carrots, they are perfect for a toddler snack or even your toddler’s breakfast!

Best Muffins for Babies & Toddlers: Our favorite snack muffins are these date-sweetened pumpkin muffins. However, here are 12 other sugarless muffins perfect for babies or toddlers!

Tips for Easy Toddler Snacks

If you are looking to simplify healthy toddler snacks, here are some of my best tips for easy toddler snacks.

1. Plan Ahead. – Each week, have a handful of snack ideas for your toddler. Write these down in your planner or meal plan so that you can easily access them.
   1. Include easy, no-fail packaged snack ideas that are quick and involve no prep. Think foods prepackaged snacks you can grab as you walk out the door.
   2. Have fresh-cut produce on hand to ensure your toddler receives balanced snacks throughout the week. Use healthy nut butter, hard-boiled eggs, and yogurt to add protein and fats.
2. Keep homemade toddler snacks in the freezer. – Things like energy balls, muffins, and toddler cookies freeze well and can be stored ahead for busy weeks.
3. Don’t overcomplicate healthy snacks. – The idea of serving more healthy snacks if you aren’t used to this can be overwhelming. However, small changes such as swapping your current yogurt brand that may contain more sugar for plain yogurt, or even Stonyfield pouches, is a simple change that won’t cost you more time.

Hopefully, this healthy toddler snack list has given you some healthy snack ideas for your little one or even for the preschool classroom. Check out my healthy toddler grocery list and wholesome kid’s lunch ideas for more healthy toddler ideas!

Don’t forget to grab the FREE printable TODDLER SNACK LIST and grocery list below!

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