Party Foods for 1- to 2-Year-Olds

Shaped Sandwiches

• Most toddlers will eat simple sandwiches, which are filling and easy to prepare before a party. Peanut butter can pose a choking hazard for 1- to 2-year-olds because it is so thick and sticky, so opt for alternative types of sandwiches. Melted cheese, hummus, tuna salad, jelly and cream cheese are all toddler-friendly options. Use shaped cookie cutters to remove the crusts and provide toddlers with small finger sandwiches in fun shapes. If the party has a particular theme, use shapes that relate to it.

Fruit Salad

• Toddlers do not need to eat much sugar, and most of them consider fruit to be a tasty treat. Make a fruit salad, minus the juice or syrup, with bite-sized chunks of soft fruits that are easy for toddlers to chew. Avoid round and large pieces, which are a choking hazard for 1- to 2-year-olds. Fruits to consider include rectangles of melon, strawberry slices, peach chunks, quartered grapes, pear chunks and kiwi slices.

Healthy Cake

• Rather than making a cake filled with sugar and artificial flavors, make toddler-friendly cupcakes that include a fruit or vegetable. Choose a recipe with applesauce, mashed bananas, grated zucchini or grated carrots. Reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe as well. For a healthier icing option than the usual mound of sugar-packed frosting, mix low-fat cream cheese and a little bit of powdered sugar together and spread just a thin layer on each cupcake.

Polenta Dippers

• Polenta dippers are perfect finger foods for a toddler party with a menu inspired by the flavors of Mexico or Spain. Polenta is a thick cornmeal porridge often sold in tubes in the refrigerated section at supermarkets. Slice cooked polenta into 1/4-inch pieces and spread the slices on a cookie sheet. Brush them with olive oil, sprinkle some cheese on them and bake them at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Give each toddler a small cup of tomato sauce to dip the polenta pieces into before eating them.