8 Healthy To Go Snacks for Toddlers

8 Healthy To Go Snacks for Toddlers

When my kids wake up from naptime, we often have places to go, people to see, and errands to run.

We don’t want to be late for our date at Target!

When naptime is over, I often have a snack cup waiting for my 3-year-old son. I’m usually ready to get out the door, so I strap him in his car seat, hand him his snack cup, and OFF WE GO!

Many parents say they love serving Goldfish snacks because they’re easy—you just put your hand in a bag and add it to a snack cup. We love that easy concept, too! Just put your hand in a different bag from time to time (like #1 or #3 on this list), throw it in a snack cup, and GO!

8 Healthy To Go Snacks for Toddlers:

1. Nuts. They are high in protein and healthy fats. They are also satiating and easily transportable. For the healthiest option, look for unsalted or lightly salted mixed nuts. Throw them in a snack cup and GO!
(Note: We don’t recommend serving nuts to a young child unless you are confident about your child’s ability to chew. Nuts may be a choking hazard for small children.)

Nuts

2. Trail mix. No need to buy it—just make your own with 2 simple ingredients! Grab a palmful of raisins and a palmful of mixed nuts. Add them to a plastic bag, shake well, and use that same plastic bag to store any leftovers. You can also add dried cranberries if you have them around. Place the trail mix in a snack cup and GO!

Trail mix

3. Dried Fruit. Try dried apricots, prunes, dates, raisins, coconut flakes, or dried cranberries. They make a great snack with natural sweetness. For the healthiest option, look for a brand with very few added ingredients and no added sugars. Place your child’s favorite dried fruit in a snack cup and RUN!

Dried Fruit

4. Cheese. Cube up some cheese, place it in a snack cup, and JET! Don’t be afraid to venture out and offer a variety to your little one—try cheddar, mozzarella, manchego, etc. Have fun with it!

Cheese

5. Smoothie. Place ½ banana, ½ avocado, ½ apple, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice into a blender. Add water by the ½ cup as needed and puree to create a smoothie consistency. Pour your smoothie into a straw sippy cup and you’re OFF! (Better yet: use the entire portion of the fruits to make a double serving so you can enjoy one, too!)

Smoothie

6. Popcorn. For the healthiest option, look for USDA certified organic, non-GMO popcorn kernels and avoid adding extra salt or butter. Place the popcorn in a plastic baggy or a snack cup and SKEDADDLE!
(Note: We don’t recommend serving popcorn to a young child unless you are confident about your child’s ability to chew. Popcorn may be a choking hazard for small children.)

Popcorn

7. Clementines. Place the tiny orange slices in a snack cup and you’re AIRBORNE! They are delicious and high in vitamin C. Just bring a wet wipe for wiping hands at the end!

Clementine

8. Chocolate chips. OK, so those aren’t exactly a “health” food, but there’s nothing wrong a little moderation! Toss a small handful into the trail mix, some granola, or a snack cup every now and then and watch your kid SMILE!

toddler snack ideas to go

If you found this post helpful, sign up to receive our newsletter for other great ideas on feeding your baby, toddler, and family. Look out for our upcoming cookbook What a Good Eater! for baby & toddler recipes with healthy herbs and spices to add flavor and broaden your baby’s palette, expected 2016.

About Amy Godiwalla

Amy Godiwalla is co-author of the What a Good Eater! cookbook, available on Amazon. Amy and her husband, Shaun, live in Denver, Colorado, with their two little boys. When Amy is not feeding little mouths or inventing recipes, she enjoys hiking, yoga, snowboarding, cooking, entertaining, traveling to the mountains, sipping hot chocolate at ski resorts, and wine tasting.

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