Unique Looking Snacks for Toddlers

Make otherwise standard snack foods exciting by changing up the shape or size. Melon, kiwi and other fruits become more interesting to a child if they're shaped like stars, hearts or seasonal items such as Christmas trees or Easter bunnies. If you use cookie cutters to cut out regular sandwiches, you'll remove the toddler-dreaded crusts and make an attractive snack all at once. Kids also like the idea of miniaturizing regular snacks. Make your toddler a shrunken sandwich by cutting a regular one into several portions.

Food is always more appealing to toddlers if it comes on a skewer or a stick. Make a fruit or vegetable salad toddler-friendly by stringing healthy produce and cheeses onto a stick. Make yogurt and applesauce more attractive by freezing them on a stick to create a healthy ice pop. Use skewers that aren't too sharp or pointy, and watch your toddler to keep him safe as he's popping food off the stick.

You don't have to serve sugar-heavy foods to make your toddler feel like he's getting a treat. Make healthy everyday foods seem sweeter by making them look like cupcakes, sundaes or other kid favorites. Bind popcorn or whole grain cereals together with honey to create clusters and serve them in cupcake papers. Blend bananas with some whole milk to form a soft-serve ice cream consistency, and scoop some in an ice cream cone. Make a yogurt and granola parfait in a fancy parfait cup so your toddler gets the thrill of eating a big-person sundae.

For special snacking occasions, go the extra mile and get artistic with your toddler's snacks. Allow your child to decorate his toast by sticking raisins, cereal pieces or fruit slices to it with peanut butter. Cut a peanut butter sandwich into asymmetrical pieces to make a sandwich puzzle. Slice waffles into strips and stack them to make a tiny "waffle house" that can be drenched with syrup. Make a creamy dip for toddlers to dunk fruit and vegetables in.