1. Wash your hands and rinse the watermelon under running water; pat dry.
2. Cut the watermelon into baton-shaped sticks about 7–10 cm long and 1–1.5 cm thick. Remove all seeds and trim any sharp pieces of rind; you may leave a thin rind 'handle' (≈1 cm) for your child to hold if desired.
3. Spoon the cottage cheese into a small bowl and stir gently to loosen the curds so they are easy for little fingers to pick up.
4. Arrange 2–4 watermelon batons on a small plate and add a dollop of cottage cheese (about 15–30 g) for dipping. Alternatively, spread a thin layer of cottage cheese onto a baton.
5. Offer one piece at a time and let your child self-feed (baby-led weaning). Always sit with your child and supervise closely while they eat to watch for choking.
6. Adjust piece size and thickness to your child’s grasping ability; the curd texture of cottage cheese and the soft, juicy melon are suitable for 10+ month toddlers.

Summary

Simple no-cook snack for toddlers: cottage cheese curds paired with watermelon batons for easy self-feeding and dipping. No added salt or sugar.

Storing

Keep cottage cheese refrigerated in a sealed container and use within 48 hours after opening. Store cut watermelon in a sealed container in the fridge and use within 24 hours for best texture. Keep components separate until serving.

Allergies and side effects

Contains dairy (milk) — avoid if your child has a cow’s milk allergy or lactose intolerance. Introduce new foods one at a time and watch for allergic reactions. Supervise eating to reduce choking risk. Do not give honey to children under 12 months. Avoid added salt and sugar for babies.