this is from the bbc website on weaning.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A810136Finger-foods
Another thing parents can do at this stage (which usually occurs around the age of 7 - 9 months) is to introduce finger-foods into their child's diet. Try to choose finger-foods that are not too hard, or slippery. Make them into sizes and shapes that are easy to pick up and chew. Almost any food can become a finger-food if you can cut it up into bite-size pieces - a few ideas are included here1.
Steamed veggies such as carrot sticks, green beans, broccoli, and sweet potato sticks
Small chunks of cheeses such as mild Cheddar and Edam
Soft ripe fresh fruit, eg, banana, peach, seedless melon, papaya
Soft cooked fruit, such as apple chunks and pear slices
Canned fruits
Ripe avocado
Toast 'soldiers'
Mini-muffins
Cooked pasta shapes with little or no sauce, or just grate a small amount of cheese on top
Meatballs
Cherry tomatoes
Unsweetened breakfast cereals (avoid those with honey or nuts listed in the ingredients)
Cocktail sausages
Bread sticks (check the salt content though)
Fairy cakes (especially if you get an older brother or sister to help make them)
Sponge fingers