Healthy, Independent Snacking For My Preschooler

My four year old, probably like most four year olds, loves to be able to do things all by himself and feels such pride when he is able to. He is going to have a baby brother come November, so the more he is able to do by himself, within reason of course, the smoother things will flow once Mommy’s time is a little more divided.  

Lil Roo is a grazer, always has been. He doesn’t eat much at one time, but nibbles throughout the day.  This includes meal type foods, healthy stuff, and even misc snacks. I recently placed a plastic three drawer cart in one of our pantry areas. The top drawer holds a variety of snacks in individual servings and the next drawer down holds a few kid bowls and other small bowls.

I have also recently set up something of a snack center in the fridge.  A bowl of readily available fresh, chilled fruit; strawberry banana smoothies I made the night before, sometimes other prepared drinks, and juice boxes (usually the flavored water kind) & kids’ yogurt products in the produce drawer below. 

He is allowed to eat the fruit at his leisure, but has to have permission before getting a snack form the snack drawer, which I limit.  Sometimes he’ll get a bowl and put some fruit in it, other times he’ll just grab a couple of small pieces to eat and he’s back at play. 

Next I want to add carrots, celery, and ranch dip to the snack area in the fridge and peanut butter to the snack drawer.  Possibly broccoli as well.  I want to get a small basket to put on top of the plastic cart for bananas, etc.  I don’t like the cost, but I am thinking  of also buying the individual servings of apple slices.  I am brainstorming (which is quite the task in my pregnancy fog) of other good snack / fruit / veggie ideas, and I am very open to suggestions. 

Once the baby comes, if he is a little hungry or thirsty and my hands are full taking care of baby; he isn’t left out in the cold.  I may have to help him open a package or juice box here and there, he can at least get it and bring it to me then head to his table with it.