Easy baby finger foods

Best Finger Foods for Babies: The Ultimate Guide

How exciting that your baby is about to graduate from mushy foods to finger foods! This is a big step in your little one’s development. However, you may be wondering when’s the right time to start finger foods, and how to tell that your baby is ready. We’ll answer all these questions and more, plus give you a list of the best finger foods to introduce to your baby first.

Introducing Finger Foods to Your Baby

So, when can babies eat finger foods? You can start to give your baby finger foods around the time they’re able to sit up independently and can bring their hands to their mouth. This may happen between the ages of 8 months old and 9 months old, but your baby may be ready a little sooner or later than this time. Around this time, you may also notice that your baby is developing their pincer grasp and may be making chewing motions. These are both great indications that your baby’s ready for finger foods. Moreover, using their fingers to pick up foods will further develop your baby’s fine motor skills. Some parents who adopt the baby-led weaning approach may start offering finger foods to their infants as early as 6 months old. This method skips spoon-feeding with solid foods and instead lets your baby take the lead in self-feeding with finger foods. Some believe this approach can decrease fussiness when it comes to introducing new foods, including finger foods, to your baby. Speak to your child’s healthcare provider if this method is something you’d like to try. Giving your baby finger foods can help your little one learn to feed themself, just one step toward gaining independence. Self-feeding can be great fun for your baby. Even if much of the food doesn’t end up in your baby’s mouth, the fact that they’re exploring this new frontier is an accomplishment to be proud of.

First Finger Foods for Your Baby

As you begin choosing finger foods for your baby, check out the following ideas:

Steamed veggies like sweet potatoes, potatoes, carrots, green beans, peas
Soft, ripe fruits like bananas, berries, peaches (peeled), mangoes (peeled)
Whole-grain breakfast cereals (without nuts, clusters, or chunks)
Whole-grain pasta (cooked well)
Whole-wheat bread
Whole-grain crackers or wafers like teething biscuits
Soft meats like chicken
Cheese (mild)
Scrambled eggs.

Be sure that any of the above finger foods are cut into small pieces. You don’t want your baby eating a piece that’s too big to swallow. And, make sure to watch them while eating.

Finger Food Safety

During this time babies are more likely to swallow foods without chewing them, whether they have a few baby teeth coming in or they have no teeth. Avoid giving any finger foods that require a grinding action to chew (this type of chewing is typically mastered around the age of 4), as these may pose a choking risk. Offer finger foods that are soft, easy to swallow, and broken or cut into pieces that your baby cannot choke on. A good rule of thumb is that soft and mushy finger foods are safe for your baby. Small, round, coin-shaped, hard, chewy, crunchy, slippery, or sticky foods may lead to choking. Here are some foods to avoid offering your baby when they start on finger foods:

Peanut butter (in chunks)
Meat (in chunks)
Cheese (in chunks)
Raw veggies (in large chunks or round shapes), including celery sticks, carrot sticks, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, and peas
Raw hard fruit (in large chunks or round shapes), including apples, pears, and grapes
Nuts (whole)
Seeds
Popcorn
Chewing gum
Candies (hard, gooey, or sticky)
Hot dogs or meat sticks.

There are ways you can still give some of the above foods while making them easier to eat and less hazardous to swallow. For example:

Grapes or cherry tomatoes, cut in half
Creamy peanut butter spread thinly on whole-grain bread that’s cut into small squares
Hot dog, cut lengthwise and then cut into small 1/2-inch pieces.

Note on Food Allergies

Medical experts once recommended that parents avoid feeding their babies eggs, fish, and peanut butter since babies may be allergic to these foods. However, it’s now recommended that you introduce these foods early—while keeping a close watch for any reactions—since this approach can help reduce your child’s chances of developing food allergies. Before introducing peanut butter or peanut products, consult with your baby’s healthcare provider. Your baby is more likely to be allergic to these foods if

food allergies run in your family
your baby is known to have an egg allergy
your baby has eczema.

The Bottom Line

It’s time to introduce finger foods to your baby when you see that they’re able to sit up on their own, start bringing their hands to their mouth, and can use a pincer grasp to hold onto small items, like finger foods. This development happens around the age of 8 or 9 months old, but you may see it sooner or later in your baby. In the beginning, you’ll want to introduce finger foods that are soft and easy to swallow, since babies at this age tend to swallow instead of chew even if they have a few baby teeth. Think steamed veggies and soft fresh fruits. You can also introduce whole-grain bread, crackers, cereal, or pasta if they’re cut into small pieces. Chicken, mild cheese, and scrambled eggs are also great options when served in small pieces. Avoid hard foods like raw veggies and fruits, as well as chunks of nut butter, cheese, and meat. Whole nuts and seeds are not recommended, nor are chewing gum, candies, hot dogs, or meat sticks. All these items can pose a choking hazard.

Transitioning to finger foods is a big step in your baby’s development and independence. Letting your baby self-feed with finger foods may be a bit messy at first, but you’ll both get the hang of it. Learn more about developmental milestones for your 9-month-old baby.

Best Early Finger Foods for Baby (With Tips, Visuals, and Recipes)

Use this list of safe, nutritious, and easy to eat finger foods for baby to help you know exactly what (and how) to offer at meals and snacks. Plus, find the best first finger foods, troubleshooting tips, and visuals of foods broken down by food group to keep things easy!

Finger Foods for Baby

After baby starts solids and is ready to move onto finger foods, you may feel a little confused by exactly what to serve and how to serve it. Which is totally normal because it can be scary to let baby feed themselves this way and we may not have any experience doing this—or we may have totally forgotten from our last kiddo!

This list of finger foods for baby will cover some great first finger foods to start with, then set you up with plenty of healthy options from each food group.

TIP: Find more info on starting solids here and the best foods to start with if doing baby led weaning or purees with baby.

Healthy Baby Food

I love sharing these ideas for baby food since they are easy to prepare and serve and because I know how hard it can be to continue to come up with flavorful and healthy meals and snacks for our little ones. Let me tell you, I’m on my third kiddo and it can be such a challenge to feed him during the chaos of parenting the rest of my crew! These foods are wholesome and nutritious—perfect for your baby.

TIP: I’m a big fan of SpoonfulONE, a company that offers the most complete way to introduce food allergens to our kids. They make mix-ins, puffs, and crackers that are yummy and easy for babies and toddlers to eat. Learn more about their pediatrician-approved baby foods here. (sponsored link)

Best First Finger Foods

When baby is around 9 months, you’ll notice that they’re able to pick up smaller pieces of food with two fingers. This is known as the “pincer grasp” and is a sign that they’re ready to start finger foods. To be clear, when I say “finger foods” I mean small pieces of food that a baby (or toddler) can feed themselves.

Here are some of my favorite ones to start with that are all super soft, safe to eat, and easy to pick up.

Scrambled egg, broken up into small pieces
Roasted sweet potato mashed and broken up into small pieces
Fresh raspberries, broken up into smaller pieces
Oatmeal, cooked according to package directions and allowed to cool
Tofu, diced and sauteed lightly or steamed
Ground beef, chicken, or turkey, broken up into small pieces or lightly mashed meatballs
Shredded cheese or crumbled goat cheese
Mashed sweet potato, in little pieces
Peanut butter puffs

TIP: You can serve the tofu, ground meat, or meatballs in veggie puree from a pouch or a simple marinara sauce for extra moisture and flavor. Learn more about how and why to introduce peanut butter.

Finger Foods for Baby: Fruits and Veggies

Some of my favorite early fruits and veggies to serve babies are:

Mashed roasted sweet potato, broken up into small pieces
Warmed frozen peas, slightly mashed if desired
Roasted Zucchini
Diced Roasted Sweet Potato or Butternut Squash
Fresh blueberries, cut in half or quarters
Fresh raspberries, broken into small pieces
Banana, broken into small segments (they are less slippery this way versus slicing them)
Avocado, diced and mashed slightly (be sure it’s ripe and very soft)

TIP: A good rule of thumb is to serve pieces of food that are about the size of a pea to start and soft enough that they are easy to squish between your fingers. This will be easy for baby to pick up and eat and will also reduce chances of choking.

Finger Food Ideas: Carbohydrates

Offering complex carbohydrates can provide fiber, a variety of textures, B vitamins, and more. Try these with your baby.

Spinach pancakes (moisten with applesauce or plain yogurt if needed; this recipe is particularly moist and great for babies)
Oatmeal, cooked according to package directions and allowed to cool
Baby Puffs
Peanut Butter Puffs
Rice (it’s easiest if it’s in little clumps so baby can pick it up; this Coconut Rice or this Cheesy Rice are both good options)
Baby Banana Muffin
O cereal (soften in nondairy unsweetened milk or yogurt as needed)
Baked Oatmeal, diced

Finger Food Ideas: Proteins

Offering proteins will continue to expose baby to a range of nutrients. These are my go-tos for babies newer to finger foods—and toddlers too.

Shredded cheese (thicker cuts are a little easier to pick up)
Tofu, diced and sauteed lightly or steamed
Flaked cooked wild salmon
Lightly mashed meatballs
Shredded chicken, cut up finely (we love this Butter Chicken to share with baby)
Ground beef, turkey, or chicken, broken into smaller pieces
Lightly mashed beans
Scrambled eggs, broken up into small pieces
Diced egg muffins

I’d love to hear any questions you may have, or if you have foods that your babies enjoy that I didn’t include here.

Chime in below in the comments!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Author Amy Palanjian

Cuisine American

Course Baby Food

Calories 124kcal

Servings 1

First Finger Foods (choose 1-3 per meal)

▢ 1 Scrambled egg (broken up into small pieces)
▢ 1/4 cup Roasted sweet potato, mashed and broken up into small pieces
▢ 1/4 cup Fresh raspberries (broken up into smaller pieces)
▢ 1/4 cup Oatmeal (cooked according to package directions and allowed to cool)
▢ 2 tbsp Tofu (diced and sauteed lightly or steamed)
▢ 2 tbsp ground beef, chicken, or turkey, broken up into small pieces or lightly mashed meatballs
▢ 2 tbsp shredded cheese or crumbled goat cheese
▢ 1/4 cup Mashed sweet potato (broken into little pieces)
▢ 1/4 cup Peanut butter puffs

Fruits and Veggies

▢ 1/4 cup mashed roasted sweet potato (broken up into small pieces)
▢ 1/4 cup warmed frozen peas
▢ 1/4 cup Roasted Zucchini
▢ 1/4 cup diced Roasted Sweet Potato or Butternut Squash
▢ 1/4 cup blueberries (cut in half or quarters)
▢ 1/4 cup raspberries (broken into small pieces)
▢ 1/4 cup banana slices (broken into small segments—they are less slippery this way versus slicing them)
▢ 2 tbsp avocado (diced and mashed slightly—be sure it's ripe and very soft)

Whole Grains and Carbohydrates

▢ 1 Spinach pancakes (moisten with applesauce or plain yogurt if needed; this recipe is particularly moist and great for babies)
▢ 1/4 cup Oatmeal (cooked according to package directions and allowed to cool)
▢ 1/4 cup Baby Puffs
▢ 1/4 cup Peanut Butter Puffs
▢ 1/4 cup fully cooked rice (it's easiest if it's in little clumps so baby can pick it up; this Coconut Rice or this Cheesy Rice are both good options)
▢ 1 Baby Banana Muffin
▢ 1/4 cup O cereal (soften in nondairy unsweetened milk or yogurt as needed)
▢ 1/4 cup Baked Oatmeal (diced or regular oatmeal broken into little pieces)

Dairy

▢ 2 tbsp Shredded cheese (such as mozzarella)
▢ 2 tbsp Tofu (diced and sauteed lightly or steamed)
▢ 2 tbsp flaked cooked wild salmon
▢ 1 lightly mashed meatballs
▢ 2 tbsp finely shredded chicken (we love this Butter Chicken to share with baby)
▢ 2 tbsp ground beef, turkey, or chicken (broken into smaller pieces)
▢ 2 tbsp lightly mashed beans
▢ 1 Scrambled egg (broken up into small pieces)
▢ 1 Diced Egg muffins

For each meal or snack, choose 2-3 foods from a mix of food groups. Aim to include some fat in most meals and protein in many too.
Prepare the food, cutting into small pieces and/or mashing as needed to make the food easy to eat.
Start with small portions and allow more as baby indicates according to their hunger.

Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-5 days in the fridge.
Many foods you cook for your family will work as baby finger foods—just be sure they are easy to squish between your fingers and the pieces are small and easy to chew.
Babies very normally make a lot of faces when they eat, so don't assume they don't like something just because they scrunch their nose!
Flavors and textures can take time to learn to eat, so continue offering foods in small portions even if baby hasn't liked them in the past—and make sure they taste good to you!

Calories: 124kcal, Carbohydrates: 14g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 164mg, Sodium: 81mg, Potassium: 344mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 9857IU, Vitamin C: 18mg, Calcium: 51mg, Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Rate in the comments and tag @yummytoddlerfood on IG!

What to cook for a child on his birthday

Recipes 11/14/2020 Anna Lipovskaya

Photo: kazan.

zoon.ru

It is always difficult to choose dishes for a festive feast. And if it's a children's holiday - almost a disaster! You need to find something useful, moderately light, and to look prettier. We have prepared for you a selection of 20 delicious recipes for what to cook for your child on his birthday!

1. Salad with strawberries and asparagus beans

Photo: foodrecipeshub.com

Why not start a children's birthday with something very colorful and unusual?

You will need: 200 g arugula, 300 g strawberries, 100 g green beans, 4 tbsp. olive oil, 1 tbsp. balsamic, spices.

Preparation: Boil the green beans until they become a little softer without losing their color. Cut the strawberries into slices and chop the arugula. Mix the ingredients and season with balsamic oil and spices.

2. Cheese balls

Photo: preparing solgoilungu.rf

A wonderful hot appetizer goes well with any sauces and jams. All kids will love it!

You will need: 200 g cheese, 3 eggs, 7 tbsp. flour, butter.

Preparation: Whisk 3 egg whites with salt until they form peaks, save the yolks for another meal. Add 4 tablespoons to them. flour and mix until smooth. Add cheese grated on a fine grater there, form balls with wet hands and roll in flour. Fry them in oil and put them on paper towels to remove excess fat.

3. Hot egg sandwiches

Photo: detisakh.ru

Simple hot sandwiches, but you can make them very effectively for your child's birthday.

You will need: 8 slices of bread, 4 eggs, 3 tbsp. grated cheese, 2 tbsp. butter, salt.

Preparation: Cut out slices of bread nicely and make a round hole in the center of 4 of them. Grease whole pieces with butter, and put the rest on them. Pour a raw egg into each recess, season, sprinkle with cheese and bake on a wire rack for 5 minutes at 180 degrees.

4. Children's snack "Piglets in a blanket"

Photo: pinterest.ru

It's funny, but this is really the original name of the English snack. It's just an improved presentation!

You will need: 15 short thick sausages, 330 g flour, 1 tsp. sugar and salt, 7 g of yeast, 250 ml of milk, 2 eggs, 1 yolk, 50 ml of vegetable oil.

Preparation: Sift the flour and mix with salt, sugar and yeast, pour in the milk and knead the dough. Add the eggs one at a time, gradually pour in the oil, roll the dough into a ball, cover with a towel and put it in the heat for an hour. Roll the dough into balls, make a hole in them and insert sausages.

Trim the edges to form a patch, ears and eyes. Lubricate the buns with beaten yolk with a spoonful of milk and put in the oven for half an hour at 180 degrees.

5. Children's meatballs

Photo: uwworsp.org

If you need a full-fledged main course for a children's party, then there is no better recipe for a side dish.

You will need: 300 g minced meat, half a carrot, half an onion, 1 potato, 2 tsp. ground oatmeal, spices and herbs.

Preparation: Blend vegetables and herbs with a blender, add spices and mix with minced meat. Add oatmeal to the desired consistency, make small meatballs and stew them in tomato sauce for 20-30 minutes. The sauce can be made from sautéed tomatoes, grated carrots, herbs, spices and sugar to taste.

6. Sesame-peanut halva

Photo: blog.comfy.ua

Sweet and hearty snack on the children's holiday table, which will be healthier than any candy.

You will need: 100 g sesame seeds, 50 g peanuts, 50 g dates, 1 tbsp. honey.

Preparation: Roast the peanuts with sesame seeds in a pan, peel the dates and grind everything in a blender. Add honey, pack it into a container and refrigerate overnight.

7. Potato casserole

Photo: craftlog.com

This recipe will come in handy if active games are planned for the child's birthday, which require a lot of energy.

You will need: 600 g potatoes, 500 g chicken, 1 onion, 300 ml sour cream, 100 ml cream, 20 g butter, 150 g cheese, spices.

Preparation: Mince chicken, season and mix. Cut the onion into thin rings, and the potatoes into slices. Lubricate the form with butter, put the potatoes, onions, minced meat and potatoes again. Pour in a mixture of sour cream and cream and put in the oven for an hour and a half at 180 degrees. 15 minutes before the end, add grated cheese.

8. Julienne with chicken and mushrooms in tartlets

Photo: kovrovsegodnya.ru

Easy, tasty, and convenient to eat! What else do kids need on their birthday?

You will need: 8 tartlets, 200 g chicken, 150 g mushrooms, 70 g cheese, 150 g sour cream, 150 ml milk, 40 g butter, 0.5 tbsp. flour, spices.

Preparation: Boil the chicken and cut into small pieces. Grind mushrooms, fry, add chicken to them and simmer together for a couple of minutes. Melt butter, add flour and stir until smooth. Pour milk into the sauce, and when it thickens, add sour cream and spices. Put the chicken with mushrooms into tartlets, pour over the sauce, sprinkle with grated cheese and put in the oven for 15 minutes at 180 degrees.

9. Children's mini cakes

Photo: cookingfor.ru

Simple and quick cakes look like cute canapes.

You will need: 300 g flour, 200 g butter, 3 tbsp. powdered sugar, 2 eggs, a pinch of salt, 250 g of cottage cheese, 1 can of boiled condensed milk, 3 marshmallows, 1 tsp. gelatin.

Preparation: Chop the cold butter with flour and powdered sugar into crumbs, add the eggs and quickly knead the dough. Roll it out on a baking sheet and leave it in the refrigerator for 20 minutes, and then bake the cake for another 20 minutes at 180 degrees, cut off the edges and cut in half.

Pour and prepare the gelatin according to the instructions, beat the cottage cheese with condensed milk, and add it there. Cut the marshmallow into cubes and stir in the filling. Put the filling on one cake, cover with a second and put it in the refrigerator for 4 hours, and cut before serving.

10. Hot sandwiches "Kaleidoscope"

Photo: koolinar.ru

An even simpler recipe that you can cook for a child on his birthday - you just can't imagine!

You will need: 10 slices of bread, 150 g sausage, 1 tomato, half a yellow pepper, half a bunch of herbs, 120 g cheese, 2 tbsp. mayonnaise, spices.

Preparation: Cut sausage, tomatoes and pepper into small cubes, add chopped herbs and grated cheese. Mix everything with mayonnaise, put on slices of loaf and send for 10 minutes in the oven at 180 degrees.

11. Children's cookies with M&M's

Photo: babymarket116.ru

All children at the party will definitely be delighted with this bright and beautiful cookie.

You will need: 200 g butter, 200 g sugar, 1 egg, 400 g flour, 0.5 tsp. baking powder and salt, packaging of M&M's.

Preparation: Beat softened butter with sugar with a blender, add the egg and gradually add the sifted flour with salt and baking powder. Shape into small cookies and place on a baking sheet. Decorate it with sweets and bake for 10-15 minutes at 180 degrees.

12. Beef in citrus sauce

Photo: tekhnolog.com

Don't know how to cook meat so that children can eat everything? Keep an interesting recipe!

You will need: 450 g beef, 2 tsp. zest, 0.5 cup orange juice, a quarter cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp. rice vinegar and soy sauce, 2 tsp. ginger and cornstarch, 2 green onions, vegetable oil.

Preparation: Cut the meat into small pieces, fry quickly in a pan and put on a plate. In the same pan, add orange juice, vinegar, sauce, zest, grated ginger and starch. Stew everything together for 2 minutes, put the meat in the sauce, mix well and sprinkle with green onions.

13. Multi-colored vegetable casserole

Photo: dailylenta.ru

Even if your child doesn't like vegetables too much, he definitely won't resist this dish!

You will need: 250 g dry beans, 400 g each peas and corn, 500 g spinach, 3 carrots, 1 bunch herbs, curry, olive oil.

Preparation: Soak and boil dry white beans in advance, bake carrots and pour boiling water over frozen peas for 5 minutes. Smash the beans with peas in a blender and add spices to them. Chop the greens, lightly sauté in olive oil and lay all the ingredients in layers in a mold. Bake for half an hour at 180 degrees.

14. Chinese cabbage salad

Photo: koolinar.ru

If desired, add chicken, ham or crab sticks to the salad.

You will need: 300 g Chinese cabbage, 1 cucumber, 2 eggs, 150 g cheese, 150 g canned corn, 200 g sour cream, spices.

Preparation: Cut the cucumber and Chinese cabbage into strips, and boiled eggs and soda cheese on a coarse grater. Add corn, mix all the ingredients and dress the salad with sour cream.

15. Lemon curd casserole

Photo: zen.yandex.ru

Make it in portions in small molds - and all the children on their birthday will be delighted!

You will need: 250 g cottage cheese, 2 eggs, 50 g sugar, 1 sachet of vanilla sugar, 1 tbsp. lemon juice, 15 g starch, zest.

Preparation: Mix cottage cheese with egg yolks, sugar, starch and lemon juice. Beat egg whites with a pinch of salt and slowly fold into the base. Add zest and filling to taste, put into molds and bake for 20 minutes at 160 degrees. Decorate the casserole with fruits and berries.

16. Children's kebabs in orange glaze

Photo: dreamstime.com

If there is no grill, you can bake the meat in the oven, but then turn the kebabs more often.

You will need: 500g pork, 1/3 cup barbecue sauce, 1/3 cup orange juice, spices.

Preparation: Cut the meat into small pieces and marinate in barbecue sauce, orange juice and spices. Put the skewers on skewers and grill for about 10-12 minutes.

17. Beet chips

Photo: babymarket116.ru

Arrange them with beautiful buds and all children will immediately notice such a snack!

You will need: 2 sweet beets, 1 liter of water, 1 tbsp. salt, 1.5 tbsp. oils.

Preparation: Cut the beets into thin slices and drop them in small portions into salted boiling water for 3 minutes. Put all the slices on paper towels, dry, drizzle with oil and send in the microwave for 2 minutes at maximum power. You can send it to the oven at 220 degrees until dry.

18. Caesar on skewers

Photo: lavie-salon.ru

Cooking huge salad bowls for a child for his birthday is not at all interesting, unlike such salads on skewers.

You will need: 100 g bread, 1 garlic clove, 200 g chicken, 30 g cheese, 150 g lettuce, 100 g cherry tomatoes, 70 g mayonnaise, 70 g yogurt, 10 g Dijon mustard, spices.

Preparation: Rub bread with garlic, drizzle with olive oil, slice and fry in a dry frying pan. Boil the chicken and cut into large cubes, chop the cheese and lettuce too. Mix dressing, string lettuce onto skewers and drizzle with dressing.

19. Chicken fillet “Like pizza”

Photo: koolinar.

An excellent alternative to regular pizza with dough for a children's holiday table!

You will need: 1 chicken fillet, 3 tomatoes, 2 tbsp. olive oil, spices, basil, cheese, half an onion.

Preparation: Cut the fillet almost to the end, open it into a book and beat it. Fry finely chopped onions with tomatoes, add a little sugar and spices, and simmer everything together for 10 minutes. Put the breast in the sauce so that it covers it completely, and simmer for another 15 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and garnish with basil before serving.

20. Chicken salad with grapes

Photo: craftlog.com

Bright and healthy salad, which will be very appropriate for a children's birthday party.

You will need: 300 g chicken, 100 g celery, 150 g grapes, 30 g nuts, herbs, yogurt, spices.

Preparation: Boil or bake the chicken and cut it into cubes, chop the celery, nuts and herbs. If the grapes are large, cut the berries in half. Mix all the ingredients and season with yogurt with spices.

Easy meals you can cook with your kids Recipes for kids

One more pair of hands is not enough for cooking, or does your child like to help you in the kitchen? These easy family-friendly recipes are perfect to cook with the kids.

Recommended

Let the kids do the cooking

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and all sorts of snacks, these easy recipes are great for kids who don't mind getting their hands dirty in the kitchen. Of course, only under adult supervision!

Kids can do it: Sloppy Joe Mini Sandwiches

These are the perfect sandwiches for young cooks, and the taste will appeal to both children and adults. For young children: Have them measure vegetables. For older kids, help them stir the meat and assemble the sandwiches.

Recipe: Mini Sloppy Joe Sandwiches

Kids Can Do Crispy Breakfast Tacos

Make a crunchy taco breakfast with egg filling. Kids of all ages can help measure ingredients, and older kids can help make scrambled eggs.

Recipe: Crispy Breakfast Tacos

Cheeseburger Tacos

Two treats that kids (and adults!) love in one dish. For young children: they can help break the cheese and measure out the salsa. For older kids, let them shape and season the beef patties and shred the lettuce. Everyone can assemble their own tacos. Lots of spices in the patties, as well as cooking in a cast iron skillet, provide a crispy tasty crust.

Recipe: Cheeseburger Taco

Waldorf Salad Boats

Kids will love this salad, which is so fun to assemble and eat. For kids of all ages, have them whip up the dressing and spoon it over the lettuce.

Recipe: Waldorf Salad Boats

Pizza Skewers

This recipe turns pizza into grilled skewers. For young children: let them place the ingredients in a bowl and stir, and tear the basil leaves over the skewers. Older kids: They can measure the ingredients, roll out the dough, and thread the appetizer onto skewers.

Recipe: Pizza Skewers

Kids Can Do Crispy Tofu Sticks

These tofu sticks are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Serve with the recipe's spicy sweet sauce or any available dressing. Children of all ages: They can help measure and bread the tofu (make sure they touch dry and wet ingredients with different hands when breading).

Recipe: Crispy Tofu Sticks

Turkey, Cream Cheese and Basil Rolls on Sticks

These colorful rolls can be made in the morning and kept in the fridge for a simple lunch or afternoon snack. For young children: they can wash the lettuce and press it in the dryer. For older children: let them layer the ingredients and roll them up.

Recipe: Turkey, Cream Cheese, Basil Rolls on Sticks

Oatmeal Cookie Flavored Smoothie

This smoothie combines milk and cookies into one treat and is the perfect variety for a summer breakfast or afternoon snack. For young children: let them help push the buttons on the blender. (Shake for a full minute before adding ice to make the oatmeal and raisin mixture as smooth as possible.) For older kids, they can measure out ingredients—a great excuse to teach them the difference between dry and wet measuring cups.

Recipe: Oatmeal Cookie Smoothie

Cheese Fondue

As an appetizer or main course, this cheese fondue is a fun and dynamic recipe that kids can help with. For kids of all ages, have them grate the cheese and stir it into the simmering apple juice, and choose and prepare the ingredients for the dip.

Recipe: Cheese Fondue

Raspberry Cream Cheese Brownie

Who doesn't love the classic duo of chocolate and raspberries? Add some sweetened cream cheese for the perfect miniature brownies. Children of all ages: they can measure, mix and stuff. For a bittersweet adult version, use strawberry or orange jam.

Recipe: Raspberry Cream Cheese Brownie

Watermelon Split

Chilled watermelon slices topped with ice cream are the perfect summer dessert. Small children will help to mash the berries with sugar. Have older children measure out the ingredients. You can collect ready-made dessert all together.

Recipe: Watermelon Split

Ricotta Blueberry Grape Toast

These delicious toasts are easy to make. Children of all ages can help measure food and spread ricotta on bread. Have older children cut the grapes in half.

Recipe: Ricotta Blueberry Grape Toast

Making Homemade Bread with the Kids

Making fresh bread with the kids is chaos and fun, and the smell in the kitchen is wonderful. Children of all ages can measure out the ingredients and place them in a ziplock bag. Have them take turns kneading the dough, and then practice patience by waiting for the bread to rise, bake, and cool.

Recipe: Making homemade bread with the kids

Lasagne Lasagna

This mini lasagna recipe uses an unexpected ingredient: ravioli! They fit perfectly in muffin tins and provide an extra helping of cheese. Toddlers can help measure ingredients, and older kids can help make the sauce. Both those and others will help fill the molds.

Recipe: Lasagne Portion

Chocolate Marshmallow Cupcakes in a Mug

Children will love these muffins, which are not oven-baked, but microwaved.

Recipe: Chocolate Marshmallow Cupcakes

Chicken Nuggets

Prepare the breading in a plastic bag, then cut the chicken breasts into small pieces.