The Best Organic Toddler Snacks

I don’t know what most people call freeze dried fruit and yogurt snacks, but in our family we call them “melties,” and both our kids are obsessed. There are a few different brands that make melties but our kids are partial to Happy Baby Yogis, as the infusion of Greek yogurt adds to the flavor. As a parent I appreciated that there were no artificial flavors and very few added sugars while remaining high in calcium and potassium. The mixed berry flavor is a favorite, while the blueberry and purple carrot flavor is a nice way to get some veggies in the mix.

Organic yogurt is full of good stuff, including probiotics that help with digestion, a host of vitamins, and calcium and protein. Stonyfield Organic tubes are low on added sugar and come in crushable flavors like strawberry-banana and cherry-berry. But the real kicker is that they can be frozen and consumed like a push pop. This trick of temperature and texture makes them taste like a dessert despite all the healthiness packed inside.

Simply having tasty, nutritious food on hand is not necessarily enough to get your kids to actually eat it. That is why leveraging their obsessions can be so useful. My son is all about trucks. Giving him a strawberry, pumpkin, and beet soft baked bar that has no added sugar and is made with fruits and vegetables might not move the needle for him. But call it a tractor wheel and suddenly he can’t get enough nutrients. Wheels for the win.

Speaking of leveraging obsessions, Elmo smiling out from a bag of airy peanut butter puffs that are made with only five ingredients is always going to be an attraction. Come for the beloved Sesame Street character, stay for the guilt-free snack that has no artificial flavors, only organic ingredients, and a solid hit of protein. These are the perfect playground snack break.

Hummus, or “hummy,” as it is known in our household, is a nutrient bomb. It is high in fiber, protein, iron, calcium, and potassium. It is also a perfect toddler dip, adding a bit of zest to just about anything. Whether it’s carrots, broccoli, bread, chips, or pretzels, our son will dip it in hummus, adding flavor to a wide variety of foods. Since his attention span is pretty limited, he will often take a few bites and then move onto the next activity, so these mini hummus cups from Kirkland are perfect. We pick up a batch on every Costco trip.