Top Tier Toddler Dining (aka) The Plate of Little Things
Feeding toddlers doesn’t need to feel overwhelming or Pinterest-perfect. Actually, that’s kind of the whole point—there are no rules here. When it comes to toddler dinners in my house, the less structured it is, the better it goes.
One of our most requested meals is what I lovingly call the “Plate of Little Things.” It’s not gourmet, it’s not complicated, and it’s certainly not expensive. But it works—because it’s made for tiny attention spans and even tinier appetites.
Grazing Plates = Sanity Savers
Instead of forcing your little one to eat a traditional “meal,” try serving a plate with a little bit of everything. Baby carrots. String cheese. A few crackers. A spoonful of hummus. Strawberries. A turkey roll-up. You get the picture.
This is exactly what I show in one of my top TikTok videos and it always resonates. Parents are tired. Kids are picky. This makes both of those things… easier.
Why It Works
Let’s be honest—toddlers love control. A grazing plate lets them pick and choose what to eat, which gives them a sense of independence while you sneak in those nutrients.
Bonus: Less food waste, less cooking, and fewer tears (from everyone).
No Rules, Just Real Life
Don’t stress about making it perfect. Don’t worry if your plate looks like a rainbow threw up on it or if the food groups don’t exactly match the pyramid. If your kid is fed, happy, and you get a second to breathe, you’re doing just fine.
That’s the magic of “The Plate of Little Things.” It’s simple, repeatable, and a total mom-win.
