45 Easy Snacks for a Toddler Birthday Party

This list of finger foods for a toddler birthday party has everything from salty, to sweet, to healthy. Check out this list of mess-free foods that the kids will love.

Ok let’s be real, toddlers are tricky to plan food for. They can be just as picky as teenagers! Here are my top suggestions for party snacks that will satisfy the kiddos.

When planning for toddlers, here are some things I like to keep in mind:

• Portion Sizes/How much can they realistically eat? Mini size is a yes please!
• Beware of super strong flavors – garlic, dark chocolate, spice, etc.
• What are they picky about?
• Messiness level – The less mess the better
• Be mindful of choking hazards – We don’t want our little ones getting hurt during the party.

Toddlers are so fun, but they can definitely be a handful. Meals can become stressful when everyone is hungry and wants something different. Add a spread of any number of these items to your toddler’s gathering, and you are sure to have some smiling kids. These are some food items that are super easy to prep and that hit the spot!

FAQs About Finger Foods

• What makes great finger food? 
  • Great finger foods are generally small, bite-size portions. They can be eaten without creating too much mess and can be easily transported.
  • It is also good to be aware of the audience/atmosphere the food will be served in. When I hear finger food, I often think of things like spicy wings, onion rings, and jalapeno poppers. And while I might like those things, they might not be ideal for a toddler’s birthday party.

• Can I serve other foods too? 
  • Of course! Finger foods just tend to work well for toddler parties, since little kids tend to eat smaller portions anyway.

• What are some cheap finger foods?
  • Generic brand versions of things like popcorn, pretzels, and marshmallows are pretty low cost. Other items such as fresh fruit and veggies that are in season can be affordable as well!
  • Generally, highly processed foods or foods containing meat are going to be more expensive. (Things like candy bars, pizza rolls, and pigs in a blanket). However, all the items included on this list are pretty low cost.

Benefits to Serving Finger Foods at a Toddler Birthday Party

Here are some of the top reasons you will love having these items on your child’s birthday party menu. 

• Lots of Variety – You can have lots of options, which is great for picky eaters. 
• Quick to Prep – Most finger foods take very little time to prepare. 
• Low Cost – You can control what kind of foods you serve and how much. Cheaper foods = cheaper party 
• Great for Allergies – If your kid or one of their friends has a food allergy or intolerance, it’s easy to accommodate them with finger foods. 
• Less waste – With smaller amounts of food, it’s easier to serve kids how much they will actually eat. 
• Very Customizable – Finger foods are easy to tailor to a particular party theme. You can make them into cute shapes and everything! 
• Less mess – Most of the items on this list produce very little mess. I tried to avoid most foods that would drip, spill, or be sticky. But I mean, you’ve got to have cake or ice cream!

Healthy Kids Party Snacks

Giving our kid(s) healthy food makes us feel like a good parent. So, it’s natural that you’d want to include some fresh produce or natural food items at your party. 

These are healthy finger foods that you can serve at the party and feel great about.

1. Applesauce
2. Apple slices with Caramel or Peanut Butter
3. Bananas
4. Berries and dip
5. Carrots and Celery with Ranch
6. Cheese and Crackers
7. Cheerios
8. Cheese Sticks
9. Cucumbers
10. Cut up Melon
11. Grapes
12. Gogurt
13. Lunch meat and Cheese Pinwheels
14. Mini PB&J Sandwiches
15. Veggie Straws

Savory Party Snack Ideas

Kids seem to have all the energy in the world. They can run around and play for hoursssss. As they sweat, they can lose some of their body’s natural salt. Savory snacks like these will hit the spot when they need a little sodium boost!

16. Chex Mix
17. Cheezits
18. Chicken Nuggets
19. Chips
20. Fries/Potato Wedges
21. Goldfish
22. Hot Dog bites
23. Mozzarella Sticks and Marinara Sauce
24. Pigs in a Blanket
25. Pizza Rolls / Bagel Bites
26. Popcorn
27. Pretzels
28. Rice Cakes
29. Quesadilla triangles
30. Wheat thins

Sweet snack ideas

Of course, it wouldn’t be a real party without something sweet for the kiddos to enjoy!

31. Animal Crackers
32. Brownie Bites
33. Candy
34. Candy Bars
35. Chocolate Covered Raisins
36. Cupcakes
37. Fruit Snacks
38. Graham Crackers
39. Ice cream bar
40. Jell-O
41. Marshmallows
42. Muddy Buddies
43. Otter popsicles
44. Pudding Cups
45. Yogurt Covered Raisins

Want more finger foods? See our list for any party HERE!

Hopefully, this list helps you figure out some fun, tasty toddler party birthday food to serve at your child’s birthday party! If you have more ideas of foods I missed, leave them in the comments below!

Don’t Leave Just Yet

Here at Events to Celebrate, my whole goal is to help real people plan for their kids’ birthday parties, life events, and holidays! Life is crazy. I GET IT. You don’t have endless time OR money to spend on parties, but you still want to help your guests have a great time. I’m here to help give you tips, tricks, and ideas for celebrating life on a budget.

As a mom, you want to do it all. You want to make your family happy and create special memories. My brand is all about creating special moments with those you love. The kind of moments that you will look back on years later and wish you could relive! So, if that’s something you’re interested in, stick around! I have an email list you can sign up for, so you don’t miss my future party ideas!