A list of 30 toddler snack plate lunch ideas from a mom of two toddlers, plus a simple formula for how to make a toddler snack plate lunch.
Are you looking for EASY toddler lunch ideas? Do you have a picky eater? Are you tired of dreading the decision of what to make your kids for lunch every day or making them the same thing that they don’t eat anyways?
I’m here to show you how serving your toddler snack plate will change your life (truly! for the better)! Save time in the kitchen, be less stressed over what to serve your toddler for lunch, and help combat picky eating. With this formula there are hundreds of different meal combinations to help your toddler from getting board with the same lunch day after day, and also room to help expose them to new food regularly.
I’m a mom of two toddlers and am sharing my toddlers’ favorite foods and what works for them in their snack plates. The best thing about snack plates is you can change out items to use what you already have in your fridge or pantry, use up leftovers, and make lunch time work for you and your family.
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Toddler Feeding Supplies
You don’t need anything special to make your toddler snack plate (as you will see below, some of our snack plate are done on plain round plates), but having the right gear will make it more fun and might help with picky eating. Here are our favorites:
EZPZ Divided Plate: (pictured above; 25% Off Orders $75+ with Code EZPZ25LOVE). This plate has been a game changer for getting my boys to eat more during meal time. Its a fun and practical divider plate that also suctions to the table to help from plates getting dumped on the floor. We love EZPZ because their products are made from non-toxic silicone and they are dishwasher safe (mom win!).
Moonkie Silicone Placemat: (pictured above) this helps keep our table clean and the boys now expect and ask for their placemat when we forget them or put them away in the drawer. They wipe down so easily and are dishwasher safe. They also easily roll up so you can throw them in your diaper bag or bring them to a restaurant or on vacation.
Annova Toddler Forks: (pictured above) this has been our go-to set since my boys are a little older and past the stage of needing plastic forks. They are stainless steel and are a great transition from plastic utensils to full-sized silverware. They have held up great in the dishwasher too!
How to Make a Toddler Snack Plate Lunch
Follow this easy 4 step system to making the perfect toddler snack plate!
Anything goes when making a snack plate for your toddler. Choose your toddler’s favorite healthy snacks and use this formula to help.
I’ve found that 5-8 different foods is the perfect amount for a toddler snack plate. You want enough options that you can serve fairly small portions of each, but too many options may be overwhelming and is extra work on your part.
First, choose 1 main course. It doesn’t have to be complicated, and you can even choose a larger portion of one of the other categories as your main dish (like avocado or lunch meat).
Next, choose 2-3 fruits and veggies. If your toddler is just starting out with eating more fruits or veggies you may want to start with just 1 fruit/veggie option. This is a great time to introduce a new fruit or veggie to your toddler since its placed along side other snacks they already love.
Then choose 1-2 protein or healthy fats. These may be your toddler’s safe foods or it may be a place to introduce more meats if you choose to do so. Dips like hummus and cream cheese are great options here too since they are high calorie options and can make eating veggies more fun.
Finally, choose 1 fun snack. I like to limit the actual snack foods so that my toddlers are exposed to nutritious foods too and don’t just fill up on snack food. However, most toddlers love seeing their favorite snacks on the plate and it might make them more willing to try the other foods too!
The below chart includes some of our favorite food options for each category for inspiration.
What if My Toddler Asks for More?
Our feeding philosophy is that we (the adults) decide what is going to be served and our kids can decide what they want to eat and how much of it. This is the same with the snack plate as well!
Don’t:
- Tell your child they can’t have anymore x until they finish z
- Force your child to eat their veggies before getting more of another type of food.
- Pressure your child into clearing their plate or eating a new food if they don’t want to try it yet.
Do:
- Let your child have seconds of whatever food they request (within reason: if you don’t have anymore or feel they have eaten more than their tummy can handle say ‘we don’t have any more right now, but we can have more later/tomorrow/another day’)
- Let your child practice intuitive eating and let them stop when they are full.
Here are some short articles discussing this feeding philosophy:
If this is a new philosophy for you it might seem counterintuitive and that our kids will only eat endless amount of snacks or the ‘fun option’ on their plate…but you might be surprised!
We have followed this philosophy with our boys since they started eating solids and both actually prefer fruits, veggies (with dip), and cheese to other snack foods most of the time. They are practicing being intuitive eaters and eat what makes them feel good and eat until satiated. If they do want more snack food they can always ask for more and most of the time they will get seconds. If they continue to ask we gently tell them not right now and they often move on to other foods without a fight.
How to Use a Snack Plate Lunch to Introduce New Foods
Did you know it might take 8-15 exposures to a new food before your toddler tries it? And that doesn’t even mean they will like it and eat it regularly. (Source)
New foods can be overwhelming to some toddlers. Here are some tips for introducing new foods:
- Always serve at least one ‘safe food’ per meal. This is easy with a snack plate because you already have 4-7 other food options on their plate!
- Serve a very small portion of the new food so it doesn’t look as scary. A snack plate is a great place to do this because portion sizes are already fairly small.
- Don’t force or push your child to try the new food. As you know, most toddlers do better when they are able to make the decision of their own or have a choice in trying the new food or not.
- Make the new food fun! Try broccoli trees with ranch for dipping or cucumbers cut into fun shapes with small food cutters. Check out more tips here: 4 Ways to Make Toddler Meals Fun
Now onto the fun part, the snack trays!
Toddler Snack Plate Lunch Ideas
Most of our snack plate lunches below use the EZPZ Mini Play Mat. Its the perfect sized divider plate and comes in the cute flower pattern! We love EZPZ because all of their products are made of non-toxic silicone and are dishwasher safe.
Toddler Snack Lunch #1: PB&J Bites
PB&J Bites: cut your toddler’s pb&j into bit-sized pieces to mix up this childhood staple. Side of Amara Smoothie Melts (organic, clean ingredients, and no sugar added!), cucumbers, crackers, strawberries, and cheese.
Toddler Snack Plate Lunch #1: Pretzel Crisps + Guac
Pretzel Crisps + Guac: serve pretzels or pretzel crisps with guac for dipping. Side of baby carrots (slice long ways or cook for young toddlers), halved blueberries, plum, cheese, and smash mallow marshmallows.
Toddler Snack Lunch #2: Muffin or Oat Bites
Muffin or Oat Bites: muffins are a toddler favorite, especially these Aussie Bites made with oats, nuts, and seeds. Side of strawberries, feta cheese, baby carrots (cook or slice thin for young toddlers), avocado with Everything But the Bagel (EBB) seasoning, and olives.
Toddler Meal Idea #3: Black Beans + Cheese
Black Beans + Cheese: heat up black beans and cheese for an easy and quick protein-packed lunch. Side of pretzel crisps, boursin cheese, baby carrots (cook or slice thin for young toddlers), kiwi, and diced peaches.
Snack Plate Lunch #4: Rotisserie Chicken
Rotisserie Chicken: get a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and serve fresh, or keep it in the fridge and serve it cold with dipping sauce. Side of grapes (I always slice them with my favorite oxo grape cutter), gogiberries, golden raisins, cookies, mini cucumber, and cherry tomatoes.
Toddler Lunch Idea #6: Veggie Corn Dog
Veggie Corn Dog: we love the veggie corn dogs from MorningStar Farms! Side of cucumber and hummus, whole milk string cheese, peaches, graham cracker, and hibiscus flower gummy for a treat.
Toddler Snack Plate #7: Naan Bread + Tzatziki
Naan Bread + Tzatziki: Naan Bread with tzatziki yogurt dip (or hummus works too). Side of olives, peaches, pretzel crisps, shredded cheese, and kiwi.
Toddler Meal Idea #8: Baked Beans
Baked Beans: baked beans are a super simple lunch idea! Side of cucumber and cream cheese with EBB, baby carrots (cook or slice thin for young toddlers), shredded cheese, and kiwi. and raspberries.
Toddler Snack Plate #9: Left Overs (Chicken Sausage Snack Plate)
Left Overs (Chicken Sausage Snack Plate): left overs are the perfect addition to your toddler’s snack plate. Here we had chicken sausage, avocado, watermelon, string cheese, raisins, shredded cheese, and grapes.
Toddler Lunch Snack Plate #10: Pizza
Pizza Snack Plate: serve your toddler’s favorite pizza (we love KidFresh Pizza for a quick and easy option) or left over pizza if you have it. Side of avocado with EBB, raspberries, cucumbers with cream cheese, olives, and pineapple.
Toddler Snack Lunch #11: Pancake Dippers
Pancake Dippers: Make your favorite pancake recipe or find one in the frozen section then cut them into strips to make fun pancake dippers. Side of maple syrup for dipping, strawberries, whole milk string cheese, blueberries, and avocado.
Toddler Snack Lunch #12: Cobb Salad Plate
Cobb Salad Plate: deconstructed cobb salads make a great toddler snack plate! Turkey, avocado, bacon, hard boiled eggs, tomato, mozzarella, cucumber and ranch.
Toddler Snack Plate Lunch #13: Grilled Cheese Roll Up
Grilled Cheese Roll Up: lay out a piece of bread and roll out with a rolling pin or heavy glass. Add shredded cheese and roll up tightly. Fry on the stove in butter rotating until all sides are cooked and crispy. Side of laughing cow cheese, strawberries, graham crackers, grapes, and raisins.
Snack Plate Lunch Idea #14: Larabar Snack Plate
Larabar Snack Plate: choose your toddler’s favorite larabar (or cereal bar or granola bar), cut it up and place it along side some other fun and healthy snacks. Here we had side of crackers, cheese, grapes, mandarin oranges, tomato, and goldfish.
Toddler Snack Lunch #15: Cereal Snack Plate
Cereal Snack Plate: choose dry cereal to make it extra easy or add milk if your toddler prefers. Side of cheese, apricot, cucumber, banana, and cheese itz.
Snack Plate Idea #16: Cheese & Seeds Snack Plate
Cheese and seeds snack plate: choose foods that your toddler may not get on a regular basis. For us this was babybell cheese, laughing cow cheese, and pepitas (along with cheese itz, raisins, carrots, and grapes).
Toddler Meal Idea #17: Cheese Quesadilla
Cheese Quesadilla: a cheese quesadilla (or try adding beans or veggies) with sides of strawberries, grapes, shredded cheese, cucumbers and hummus for dipping.
Toddler Snack Lunch #18: Green Chicken Salad
Green Chicken Salad: a simple toddler-friendly chicken salad made with shredded chicken and avocado (I also sometimes stir in peas or cucumber). Side of blueberries (halve for young toddlers), mandarin oranges, Annie’s Homegrown Bunnies, strawberries, and shredded cheese.
Snack Plate Lunch Idea #19: Valentines Snack Plate
Valentines Snack Plate: make a festive snack plate for any holiday – like Valentines day! Pink applesauce, ham roll ups, blood orange, red bell pepper, apple chips, string cheese, tomatoes, cheese itz, strawberries, and candy hearts.
Toddler Lunch Idea #20: Pretzel Crisps & Hummus
Pretzel Crisps & Hummus: serve pretzels or pretzel crisps with hummus for dipping. Sides of baby carrots (cooked or thinly sliced for young toddlers), avocado, shredded cheese, strawberries, and Annie’s Homegrown Bunnies.
Toddler Snack Plate Lunch #21: Veggies Made Great
Veggies Made Great: we love the fritatas and muffins from Veggies Made Great. Here we had the Spinach & Egg White Fritatta with whole milk string cheese, cheese itz, peas, raisins, and strawberries.
Toddler Snack Plate Meal #22: Chocolate Snack Plate
Chocolate Snack Plate: most toddler feeding experts agree that keeping sweets off a pedestal helps raise healthy and intuitive eaters. Here we had tomatoes, avocado, grapes, whole milk string cheese, cheese puffs, red pepper, cheese, mandarin oranges, baby carrots (cook or thinly slice for young toddlers), and a piece of chocolate.
Snack Plate Idea #23: Ham & Cheese
Meat & Cheese Snack Plate: ham and cut up cheese slices as the main course with sides of cucumber with hummus, slice olives, grapes, and tomatoes.
Toddler Snack Lunch #24: Cauliflower Tots
Cauliflower Tots: my boys love these Green Giant Cauliflower Veggie Tots and I love that they are a healthier option made of veggies! Side of ketchup for dipping, ham, baby carrots (cook or thinly slice for young toddlers), grapes, and banana chips.
Toddler Snack Lunch #25: Avocado with EBB
Avocado with EBB: diced avocado sprinkled with ‘Everything but the Bagel‘ seasoning (EBB). Side of salami, cucumbers, cheese, strawberries, and grapes.
Toddler Snack Plate Idea #26: Mini Charcuterie Board
Mini Charcuterie Board: We had a family style Charcuterie Board for dinner one night and I pulled off some pieces to make my boys a plate of their own! Salami, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, cheddar cheese, turkey roll ups, grapes, avocado, and table crackers.
Toddler Snack Meal #27: Turkey Roll Ups
Turkey Roll Ups: roll up turkey lunch meat into fun finger foods! Side of banana, peas and carrots, grapes, whole milk string cheese, and Cheerios.
Toddler Snack Lunch #29: Dr. Praeger’s Spinach Littles
Dr Praeger’s Spinach Littles: a fun and healthy main course option – Dr. Praeger’s Spinach Littles. My boys love the fun shapes and don’t mind that they are full of veggies. Side of whole milk string cheese, grapes, baby carrots, goldfish, baked apples, and butternut squash.
Toddler Snack Plate Meal Idea #30: Cucumber Sandwichs
Cucumber Sandwiches: make mini sandwiches using cucumber and cream cheese. Side of avocado, peaches, graham crackers, raisins, and sliced cheese.
Snack Plate Toddler Meal Ideas Summary
Here is a breakdown of 30 of our favorite toddler snack tray meal ideas. Perfect for lunch time for busy moms and picky eaters (also sometimes known as a picky plate).
- PB&J Bites + Amara Smoothie Melts
- Pretzel crips + Guac
- Muffin or Oat Bites
- Black Beans + Cheese
- Rotteserie Chicken
- Veggie Corn Dog
- Naan Bread + Tzatziki
- Baked Beans
- Left Overs/Chicken Sausage
- Pizza Snack Plate
- Pancake Dippers
- Cobb Salad Plate
- Grilled Cheese Roll Up
- Larabar Snack Plate
- Cereal Snack Plate
- Cheese & Seed Snack Plate
- Cheese Quesadilla
- Green Chicken Salad
- Valentines Snack Plate
- Pretzel crisps + Hummus
- Veggies Made Great
- Chocolate Snack Plate
- Ham & Cheese
- Cauliflower Tots
- Avocado + EBB
- Mini Charcuterie Board
- Turkey Roll Ups
- Dr. Praeger’s Spinach Littles
- Cucumber Sandwich
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