Letting your toddler feed themselves finger foods is both fun and a great way to introduce them to new foods and flavours. Weaning can be started from 6 months old and, whether you’re following baby-led weaning or traditional puree weaning, your little one is sure to love experiencing all these new foods. 

As your baby grows and they start to teeth, you’ll be able to give them more solid foods. Whilst self-feeding can be a messy experience, it is actively encouraged by doctors and professionals as it helps to develop hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and provide them with a further step towards independence. With this in mind, here are 5 of the best finger foods to introduce to toddlers. 

Pancakes

Finding new and tasty breakfast foods for toddlers to try can be tricky, especially ones which are finger food friendly. Pancakes are perfect for little ones and if you make them at home, then you have the benefit of reducing the sugar content and adding fruit. 

Easy banana pancakes are a great choice for toddlers as they are packed full of goodness and are super easy to make. If you prepare them in batches, then you can keep them in the freezer (top tip: use greaseproof paper inbetween to stop them sticking together!) and simply pop in the toaster for a few minutes for a quick, easy and nutritious breakfast. 

Watermelon

Watermelon is a great food to introduce to toddlers. It is sweet and delicious and is a lovely new flavour for little ones to enjoy. It is easy to chew, which is good for toddlers who may not have many teeth yet! If your little one is teething, then pop in the fridge for a little while before serving to ensure it is a nice and cool snack to soothe aching gums. Watermelon, and finger foods, can get a little messy, so you might want to look into things such as bamboo plates, weaning bibs and toddler cutlery to reduce the mess! Be sure to remove all seeds before serving. 

Mini Egg Muffins

If you’re looking for a protein-packed snack or lunch, then mini egg muffins are a must! They are perfect for little hands and are super easy to make and customise. Simply whisk together 6 eggs, add in a splash of water or milk and add in things such as grated courgette, carrot and cheese to get those flavours and textures in. Fill a muffin tin with the mixture and cook for around 20 minutes in the oven.

Roasted Butternut Squash

Squash has a smooth and creamy texture and is a popular choice when it comes to weaning, as it is naturally sweet. For toddlers, look at cubing or cutting into fingers and roasting to turn it into a portion of delicious finger food. This can be served as a snack during the day or as part of a main meal.

Grilled Peaches

If you’re looking for something to serve as a treat after meals and which is low in refined or processed sugars, then grilled peaches are a great idea. They are naturally soft and sweet and when chargrilled, become even more so. Simply slice a fresh peach and brush with a little bit of melted butter. Place on a grill over a low/medium heat and turn carefully once grill marks appear. Leave to cool and serve as a sweet treat after dinner.