Toddlers have a way of putting a smile on your face. They are incredibly cute, often funny, and usually quite strong-willed. Everything is new and exciting to them and while that is great, it can make things such as snack time rather challenging and even time-consuming. The last thing a busy parent wants to deal with is snack time which quickly dissolves into disarray.

With that said we’ve got some great tips and tools that you can rely on to simply snack time with your toddler. No longer will you dread snack time and need to mentally prepare for what can be a lot of drama.

Have a Snack Food Plan in Place

Before you dive too deeply into tips and tricks, it's recommended that you have a snack food plan in place. If you're scrambling around at the moment trying to come up with ideas, it can result in frustration. Your toddler will need to be patient and wait, which is difficult when they're hungry, and you're not always going to make a great snack choice. More often than not, you'll probably grab the easiest and/or fastest-to-prepare item.

An easy way to get around this issue is to have snacks prepared and ready to go. That could mean preparing a week's worth of snacks, a few days, or just the current day. Ideally, you want to aim for two snacks per day for kids ages one through five. You can just adjust the portion size to meet their age and appetite needs.

Some great toddler-friendly snack ideas can include:

• Sliced fresh fruit
• Sliced fresh veggies
• Hummus with vegetables or bread
• Toast with peanut butter or nut butter
• Boiled egg
• Homemade smoothie
• Yoghurt
• Homemade muffins
• Homemade energy balls

Some of these are easier to make in advance than others. The key is to have the ingredients on hand so you’re not trying to think of ideas at the moment.

Create a Snack Schedule That You Can Stick With

Just like adults, kids are creatures of habit. Toddlers thrive when a routine is in place as they know what to expect and when. A routine can make everything from bedtime to naptime, to bath time easier. The same can be said for their meal and snack schedule. If they know when to expect each, then they are prepared and likely quite excited about getting something to eat.

One of the biggest mistakes parents can make is veering from this schedule. It may not seem like a big deal but it has a domino effect on your toddler’s entire day, negatively affecting everything else.

Don’t Let Snack Time Drag On for an Indefinite Amount of Time

A big complaint parents can have is how long toddlers can take to eat their snacks. Dawdling, getting distracted, and not paying attention are all common issues. There are a few tips you can use to battle these problems.

Firstly, make it clear that snack time has a time limit. It’s not meant to drag on for long periods. You can even use a timer for kids to follow along. You’ll find plenty of child-friendly timer apps you can download. Even a simple hourglass sand timer will work.

Secondly, make sure you’re giving kids a reasonable amount of food, which means not too much or too little. Perhaps your expectations are off and you assume they need to eat more than is needed.

Thirdly, remove all distractions from the area. They should snack in a room where they have a sturdy and supportive place to sit, without a television, and other noises and activities. T

Make Mess and Clean-Up Easy

Do you find yourself having to do a major clean-up of the kitchen, eating area, and your toddler after a snack? If so, it's time to make life easier. Having the right items that either prevent mess or drastically cut down on it will make all the difference in the world.

Having a selection of clean bibs available at all times will ensure that the clothes your toddler is wearing before snack time stay clean and dry. When snack time is done you can remove their bib and not worry about any further mess.

The right feeding utensils also help, as they need to be easy enough for your toddler to hold and use independently. If you’re using items that are too advanced for them (too heavy, too big, or the wrong material), drops, spills and messes are bound to occur.

For toddlers who are prone to making messes on the floor around them, look into a floor mat that can easily be wiped clean. No one wants to deal with washing floors after every meal and snack.

Snack Time Can Be an Enjoyable Activity

If you’re used to non-stop drama when it comes to your toddler’s snack time, then these tips are an absolute must.