Skip to main content

10 healthy on-the-go snacks for toddlers

Prepping and keeping healthy toddler snacks handy are great ways to keep your busy family moving through the hectic week. Not only do these bites keep your little ones happy and satisfied, but they also make the task of getting them something to eat much simpler, taking less time out of each day, and avoiding toddler “hangry”-induced meltdowns. We have some fast, tasty, and fun options for parents to use during their week-to-week shopping and prepping schedules, adding variety and flavor to their little one’s meal plans.

Smiling toddler at table eating

Healthy toddler snacks

Stuffed celery sticks

These awesome make-ahead snacks are perfect for trips to the park or while out shopping. Begin by cleaning and peeling your celery. This removes the strings and tougher bits. Cut the cleaned stalks into about 2-inch-long pieces. Using a spoon or knife, add your little one’s favorite spread or nut butter – at home only. A few stuffing suggestions are hummus, plain or flavored cream cheese, or cheese spread with bacon bits.

Related Videos

Deli pinwheels

Requiring just a few ingredients, this quick and tasty snack is versatile and customizable to every toddler’s tastebuds. Simply lay out your favorite large tortilla shell and add several slices of your toddler’s favorite deli meats and another thin layer of sliced cheese. Roll the tortilla up tightly, and slice into 1-inch-thick sections. Place 3-5 slices into snack-sized storage bags and keep them chilled in your fridge until snack time.

Homemade crisp crackers

Light, crisp, and freshly made crackers are fantastic on their own or paired with delicious and creamy cheese. Easy-to-make and packed with flavor, these homemade delights make a great addition to snack trays or your toddler’s favorite snack box alongside sliced cheese and bite-sized pieces of pepperoni or salami. Try out many different snack options, including pairings with meats and cheeses, goat cheese spreads, hummus, or cream cheese.

No-bake oatmeal protein balls

This easy-peasy recipe is a snap, making it perfect for make-ahead meal and snack prepping. Chewy oats and almond butter combined with chocolate chips and just the right amount of maple syrup sweetness make them pop-able and portable, which is perfect for toddlers in the car or on the go!

Banana pancake bites

Toddlers will love this fun take on a regular pancake, which is hand-held and easy to toss into your go-bag for a day trip. Make these delicious and light pancakes for breakfast while reserving a few pieces for snacks later in the week. Grab your child’s favorite shaped cookie cutter, pop out a few pancake pals, and put them in resealable bags. Place these into the fridge or even your freezer to save and use later in the week for a quick snack.

Healthy mini-carrot zucchini muffins

A perfectly sweet, healthy, and satisfying mini-muffin option to replace store-bought muffins has been found. These adorable and tasty snacks are super easy to make while remaining gluten-free, paleo, and vegetarian friendly. Toddlers will love to pop these perfectly sized snacks every time. Additionally, these are great to make ahead of time and portion out into bags to freeze.

Crudités

This old standby, ready when you need it, and always easy to prep snack option is still around and relevant for a reason. Swap veggies for your toddlers’ favorites, giving them a mixture of flavors and textures. Paired simply with hummus, dip, or their favorite dressings, raw veggies – crudités is the French term referring to sliced raw vegetables – are an excellent source of your little one’s daily nutrient needs.

Apple cinnamon bites

What toddler doesn’t love Cheerios of some flavor or another? Snacking on the crunchy, multi-grain version coated in a sticky and sweet, yet healthier option to store-purchased cereal bars makes snacking easier on parents concerned with high sugar levels in their child’s snacks. The addition of apple bits and cinnamon makes this a homey and satisfying snack any toddler would love.

Tropical trail mix

When it comes to snack foods, there is one that reigns high on the list of favorites across many age groups, and it usually involves some variation of trail mix. Many different versions of this beloved snack are available in many different blends. But the staple and steady ingredients involved are dried fruits such as apricots, cherries, or cranberries combined with several different kinds of tree nuts, like cashews or almonds. Additionally, a grain or cereal component is also added for an added crunch factor. In this version, tasty tropical ingredients like chipped coconut are included to give it a beachy vibe.

Roasted chickpeas

And for all the tree-nut free families out there, we bring you a salty and crunchy snack that’s totally nut-free, without sacrificing flavor. This slow and satisfying recipe couldn’t be easier. This makes it a great snack for just about anyone, especially toddlers. Requiring 3 total ingredients and an oven, make this snack your go-to for long trips in the car, or your next family movie night.

Instead of picking up store-bought snacks on your next grocery store run, try out a few of these homemade healthy snacks for toddlers that are easy, portable, and nutritious. You can feel good about feeding them nutrient-dense snacks, and as a bonus, they’re a lot easier on your wallet, too.

Editors' Recommendations

Toddler not eating? Try these genius ideas and tips
A toddler who won't eat anything is normal, but why do they refuse food?
Toddler refusing to eat healthy lunch/snack of fruit and drink her milk

It's a tale as old as time — a toddler who doesn't want to eat a single bite. You started with a super easy baby who eats everything you give them, from mushy peas to pureed meats. Once your amenable baby becomes a toddler, all of that changes. Suddenly you have a child who won't eat anything other than Goldfish crackers, chicken nuggets, and Cheez-Its. Toddlers don't get a bad rap for nothing. The terrible twos and "threenager" years have earned their titles because these are the stages of development when children master the word "no."

One of the main ways toddlers exert their newfound independence is by refusing to eat anything that they previously loved. It's an incredibly frustrating time for parents, but having a toddler who suddenly won't eat isn't the end of the world. It's actually common, and in some cases, completely normal. Here are a few ideas and tips if your toddler won't eat and what to do if you have concerns.

Read more
What to feed your constipated toddler to get things moving
Foods to give your constipated toddler some relief
Toddler boy standing with arms crossed

Let's face it, if your toddler is unhappy, everyone is unhappy, and nothing makes a toddler more unhappy than being constipated. Constipation is quite common for toddlers, as they experiment with new foods, because not every new food will always agree with their digestive system. Just like how new foods can sometimes upset our stomachs, the same is true for toddlers.

Thankfully, there are lots of different food options for your constipated toddler that will help get things moving and bring them some relief. If your little one has been irritable lately and you simply want to help them feel better, here are some ideas of what to feed your constipated toddler to get things moving and make everyone feel a lot happier.

Read more
Ring in the new year with kids – and these tips to make it fun for all
Have an exciting New Year's Eve with kids using these tips
Happy New Year sign with confetti

When you have children, celebrating New Year’s Eve requires a bit more planning. Perhaps more planning than it makes it worth it to leave the house. To help, we’ve thought of some ideas to make your kids feel involved whether you plan on going out, inviting friends over, or just enjoying quality family-only time at home. Crafting New Year’s Eve traditions with your kids is something to look forward to every year.

Even if you do decide to leave the house for your party plans, incorporate some of the following activities for your little ones before you go. Your kids will get to share a special moment with you, and that will mean more to them than waiting up until midnight, which they might not make it to, anyway. So, before the kiddos fall asleep, start one of these traditions on New Year's Eve with the kids.

Read more