Skewers for chewers – home-made fruit kebabs

What you need 

• Soft fruit, such as satsuma segments, blackberries, a chopped banana, strawberries or melon 
• A skewer 

What to do 

1. Snip off the sharp point of the skewer. Your toddler might need a little more strength in their fingers to push the fruit onto the blunted end, but it will be safer. 
2. Give your toddler a selection of sliced fruit to put onto the skewer. 
3. Encourage them to push the fruit pieces onto the skewer, one by one. 
4. Make your own kebab at the same time, so that your toddler can see how you use your fingers to push the fruit on. 
5. If your toddler needs help, try holding one end of the skewer for them.  
6. It might take them a while to get the hang of the action, and the force needed, so be prepared for some squishy fruit the first few times you make these. 

Stay with your toddler while they thread fruit, as skewers can still be sharp even with the ends blunted. Always cut fruit following safe eating guidelines to ensure there are no choking hazards.