Coming up with lunch ideas for kids every day can be a difficult task. But packing school lunches can be a piece of cake! Read these helpful tips before school starts to make the process a breeze.
Prep the Night Before
Do your best to always pack lunches and store them in the fridge the night before so they’re ready to go the next morning. This avoids having to rush and maybe pack unhealthy foods to save time.
Freeze for Later
Freeze leftovers or even sandwiches to use throughout the week, and make casseroles and soups on the weekend to throw in a vacuum flask when the colder weather hits.
Homemade Snacks
Make your own lower-fat, reduced-sugar versions of pre-packaged convenience foods to save money and keep kids healthy. Use whole grain crackers, cheese, and reduced-salt cold cuts for stackable snacks, for example, or Greek yogurt and fresh berries instead of sugary, artificially-flavored pudding cups.
Fun Shapes
Using cookie cutters to make smaller, bite-sized sandwiches increases the chances of them being eaten, especially for picky, crust-hating kids. If you have two or more children, it’s also a great way to add variety since you can split different sandwiches between them.
Bento Boxes
Divided, bento-style lunch boxes are visually appealing to kids and help ensure their meal contains a range of foods. They also cut the cost and waste of disposable lunch bags.
Veggie Boost
Sneak in vegetables by turning them into pureed sandwich spreads, soups, and dips. Pair these with sliced veggies for an added nutritional boost.
Allergy-Friendly Options
Try soy or seed butter for sandwiches instead of nut butters. If your kid has any food allergies, you might want to consider Allergy Alert labels for their lunch boxes.
Get Kids Involved
Involving your kids in shopping, preparing, and packing lunches increases the chance of them eating everything!