My toddler has been a slow eater which, has caused her to eat less and need more assistance eating. So, the occupational therapist in me decided we need to get a little more creative for meals to increase her independence and timely completion of meals.
We started with adding some food coloring and using cookie cutters to make mealtime more of a fun experience for all. I choose to go with powder food coloring because it had more natural ingredients.
Cookie Cutters, Food Coloring and Pancakes
First, we tried making purple pancakes with heart, butterfly, and flower cooking cutters that my toddler selected from our new set of cookie cutters. When completing tasks with my toddler I try and include her in as much of the process as possible so that she is more invested and has some freedom to make her own choices.
I found this homemade pancake recipe that had good reviews. We put that together and then my toddler choose the color pancakes she wanted to make. Of course, she went with purple. We added the purple powder food coloring to our pancake mix. Then, we cooked the pancakes. Once the pancakes cooled down my toddler picked out which cookie cutters she wanted to use. She went with hearts, flowers, and butterflies. We put one pancake on her plate and let her help cut out the heart shape on her pancake. We made a few more shapes with the other cookie cutters and she was ready to dive in!
There were small and larger cookie cutter shapes. I thought the large shapes would be fun however, I ended up having to cut them some into safe bite size pieces. Whereas, with the small cookie cutters they cut the food into shapes that were already bite size pieces. Something to explore with what works best for different kinds of foods to increase her independence and fun with eating in the future.
The cookie cutters we used came with some small animal toothpick like things, and man were they a hit! I put one in her food and she thought it was so fun to eat with. Plus, she ate more than she typically does and in no time flat! I thought that was great then, she asked for seconds! We made enough to have leftovers and she continued to enjoy eating them with her animal toothpick for a few days to come. We’re definitely going to be utilizing our cookie cutters for more than just cookies if this keeps up! Comment below any tips or ideas you’ve used for fun toddler food ideas with cookie cutters and/or food coloring. I’m always looking for additional inspiration!
Sandwich Cutter and Sealer
Now that the occupational therapist in me has seen how cookie cutters and food color can make meals fun and less time consuming, I ventured into making sandwiches more exciting too. My toddler enjoys eating sandwiches but, those too can take some time for her to eat as well. Sandwiches make for great lunches on the go. However, when we’re out and about stopping to eat it can be a real struggle to focus on eating instead of playing.
I got a heart and circle sandwich cutter and sealer to assist with lunches on the go, as well as cleanliness with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. First, I tried a turkey lunch meat sandwich with mayonnaise and cheese. I set the lunch meat on top of one another, and it was hard to cut through. Next time, I would like to try rolling up the lunch meat to see if that makes it any easier to cut through. This was a big hit, and I was able to make two heart shaped sandwiches. One with the heart shaped cutter and once with the heart shaped sealer. I diagonally cut a few cherry tomatoes to resemble hearts as well and added them to the plate. I talked to my toddler about how much I loved her and other things we loved while eating her heart shaped inspired meal. I must say, these fun shapes made the sandwich disappear much quicker than normal!
Next, I tried peanut butter and jelly sandwich with the circle sealer. I like how the cut the crust off and I didn’t need to worry about messy hands since the sandwiches are sealed. The sealer worked so well we didn’t even need a napkin! Definitely a go to now! I have used the circle sealer a few times now for PB&J’s and it’s worked great and been a hit every time. I thought maybe the circle sealer wouldn’t go over as well as the heart shaped one but, my toddler didn’t seam to notice. I prefer my circle shaped sealer because it makes larger sandwiches and mainly cuts off just the crust.
Ants on a Log
Growing up I remember my mom making ants on a log for me and how I thought it was such a silly idea. Now that my mom has passed, I enjoy carrying on her traditions, ideas, and arts and craft projects so she still lives on with us in memory.
Such an easy and fun snack idea. Simple cut up celery, add some peanut butter and sprinkle on some raisins.
Some More Toddler Food Ideas
If you’re looking for more fun and healthy toddler food ideas, you’ve come to the right place! We will discuss some of our favorite recipes that are perfect for little ones. These recipes are nutritious, easy to make, and most importantly, delicious! We hope you enjoy them!
Toddler Food Idea #01: Mini Pizzas
This mini pizza recipe is perfect for toddlers! It’s easy to make and it’s a great way to get them excited about trying new foods. Here’s what you’ll need:
- English muffins
- Pizza sauce
- Shredded cheese
- Toppings of your choice (peppers, onions, olives, etc.)
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut the English muffins in half and spread on some pizza sauce. Top with shredded cheese and your favorite toppings. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Enjoy!
Toddler Food Idea #02: Veggie Nuggets
These veggie nuggets are a great way to get your toddler to eat their veggies! They’re crunchy, flavorful, and most importantly, healthy. Here’s what you’ll need:
- -Carrots
- -Zucchini
- -Bread crumbs
- -Eggs
- -Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut the carrots and zucchini into small pieces. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, bread crumbs, salt, and pepper. Dip the carrot and zucchini pieces into the egg mixture until they are well coated. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Enjoy!
Toddler Food Idea #03: Cheese Quesadillas
Cheese quesadillas are a quick and easy meal that toddlers will love! They’re simple to make and they’re a great way to get your child to try new foods. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Tortillas
- Shredded cheese
- Salsa or guacamole for dipping
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the tortillas on a baking sheet and spread evenly with shredded cheese. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Fold in half and serve with salsa or guacamole for dipping. Enjoy!
Toddler Food Idea #04: PB&J Sandwich
This classic PB&J sandwich is a meal that toddlers will love! It’s simple to make and it’s a great way to get them started on eating solid foods. Here’s what you’ll need:
- PB&J sandwich bread
- Peanut butter
- Jam or jelly of your choice
Instructions:
Spread peanut butter and jam/jelly on the slices of bread. Place the slices together to form a sandwich and cut into small pieces. Serve and enjoy!
Toddler Food Idea #05: Fruit Smoothie
A fruit smoothie is a healthy and delicious snack for toddlers! They’re easy to make and they’re a great way to get your child to eat their fruits and vegetables. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Fruit of your choice (strawberries, blueberries, banana, etc.)
- Vegetables of your choice (spinach, kale, cucumber, etc.)
- Liquid of your choice (milk, orange juice, water, etc.)
Instructions:
Add fruit and vegetables to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy!
Toddler Food Idea #06: Turkey & Cheese Sliders
These turkey and cheese sliders are the perfect meal for toddlers! They’re easy to make and they’re packed with flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- slider buns
- deli turkey breast
- American cheese slices
- butter or margarine
- mustard
- ketchup
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice the slider buns in half and spread on a layer of butter or margarine. Place on a baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Assemble the sliders by placing a slice of cheese, some deli turkey, and another slice of cheese on each bun half. Spread with desired amount of mustard and ketchup. Place back on the baking sheet and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Enjoy!
Toddler Food Idea #07: Chicken Nuggets
Chicken nuggets are a classic meal for toddlers! They’re simple to make and they’re perfect for on-the-go. Here’s what you’ll need:
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- all-purpose flour
- eggs
- bread crumbs
- salt and pepper
- olive oil or vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
Cut the chicken into small, bite size pieces. Season with salt and pepper. In three separate bowls, place equal amounts of flour, eggs, and bread crumbs. Dip the chicken in the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, then the bread crumbs until well coated. Place on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Heat olive oil or vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken nuggets in batches until golden brown and cooked through. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Toddler Food Idea #08: Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic meal that toddlers will love! They’re simple to make and they’re perfect for a quick snack. Here’s what you’ll need:
- slices of bread
- butter or margarine
- American cheese slices
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread butter or margarine on each slice of bread. Place the slices of bread on a baking sheet and top with American cheese slices. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Fold in half and serve with salsa or guacamole for dipping. Enjoy!
Toddler Food Idea #09: Macaroni & Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a classic meal that toddlers will love! It’s simple to make and it’s packed with flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- elbow macaroni noodles
- butter or margarine
- all-purpose flour
- salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste
- milk
- shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the noodles according to package instructions. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter or margarine. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Gradually add milk and continue stirring until the mixture thickens. Drain the noodles and mix them with the saucepan contents. Add cheddar cheese and stir until melted. Pour into a baking dish and bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Enjoy!
Toddler Food Idea #10: Pancakes
Pancakes are a classic breakfast meal that toddlers will love! They’re simple to make and they’re perfect for on-the-go. Here’s what you’ll need:
- all-purpose flour
- baking powder
- salt
- sugar
- eggs
- milk
- butter or margarine, melted
Instructions:
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. In another bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Stir in melted butter or margarine until smooth. Heat a griddle or frying pan over medium heat and spray with cooking spray. Scoop about ¼ cup batter onto the griddle/frying pan. Cook for about two minutes or until bubbles form and the edges are lightly browned. Flip and cook for an additional minute or two. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Toddler Food Idea #11: Spaghetti & Meatballs
Spaghetti & meatballs is a classic meal that toddlers will love! It’s simple to make and it’s perfect for a quick dinner. Here’s what you’ll need:
- ground beef
- bread crumbs
- Parmesan cheese, shredded
- eggs
- garlic powder, salt, pepper to taste
- tomato sauce
- spaghetti noodles
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. In a bowl, mix together ground beef, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Roll mixture into small balls. Place meatballs on a baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes or until cooked through. In a large pot over medium heat, bring tomato sauce to a simmer. Add cooked spaghetti noodles and meatballs and stir until well combined. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Toddler Food Idea #12: Turkey & Cheese Quesadilla
Turkey & cheese quesadillas are a quick and easy meal that toddlers will love! They’re simple to make and they’re perfect for a quick snack. Here’s what you’ll need:
- soft tortillas
- turkey, cooked and shredded
- cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions:
Preheat a griddle or frying pan over medium heat. Spray with cooking spray. Place one tortilla on the griddle/frying pan. Top with an even layer of cooked turkey and cheddar cheese. place another tortilla on top. Cook for about two minutes or until the bottom is golden brown and crispy. Flip and cook for an additional minute or two. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Toddler Food Idea #13: Yogurt & Fruit Parfait
Yogurt & fruit parfaits are a healthy and delicious meal that toddlers will love! They’re simple to make and they’re perfect for a quick snack. Here’s what you’ll need:
- yogurt, your choice of flavor
- fruit, chopped
Instructions:
In a jar or glass container, layer yogurt and fruit until full. Enjoy!
Toddler Food Idea #14: Cheese & Crackers
Cheese & crackers is a classic meal that toddlers will love! They’re simple to make and they’re perfect for a quick snack. Here’s what you’ll need:
- cheese slices of your choice
- whole wheat crackers
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place cheese slices on top of whole wheat crackers. Bake for about 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and crackers are crispy. Enjoy!
Toddler Food Idea #17: Ham & Cheese Sliders
Ham & cheese sliders are a quick and easy meal that toddlers will love! They’re simple to make and they’re perfect for a quick snack. Here’s what you’ll need:
- slider buns or dinner rolls, cut in half
- ham, cooked and chopped
- cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a bowl, mix together ham and cheddar cheese. Place slider buns/dinner rolls on a baking sheet and fill with the ham mixture. Bake for about 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bun is crispy. Enjoy!