Lunchbox Prep

Creative Ideas for Packed Lunches Kids Will Actually Eat lUNCHbOX Prep

story by Allie Segars

Is it already time to go back to school? As we all plan, organize, and gather the necessities to begin a successful new school year, I thought I’d share some creative yet healthy lunchbox ideas that your child will love. As a teacher, I cringe watching a child throw away so much food come lunchtime. When I ask them about it they say, “I don’t like that.” Bless the mom that woke up early that morning to put a lunch box together as well as the child that goes home and raids the pantry due to being hungry.

Prep it

Just like you would meal prep your meals for the week, go ahead and gather your child’s lunchbox items and place them in bins. This is a wonderful way to allow your child to have choices and teach them organization. Now I’m sure they will choose junk food like Little Debbies, but direct them to the healthy food groups that will keep them full, energized, and focused. With their help, this will become less of a chore and more bonding time together. Plus, it’s a great way to teach them how to stay healthy at an early age. As we know, grocery shopping can get expensive especially when shopping healthy. All the more reason to not let your food get wasted. Portion cups are amazing! You can buy reusable cupcake/muffin molds or the reusable ziploc bags. You may want to heavily emphasize to your child to not throw these away or else it defeats the purpose of being reused.

Fillers

So what goes inside? Pinterest has so many ideas for picky eaters and children with food allergies. Being a teacher, I need my little firsties to be full, energized, and focused. So fruits, veggies, and meats and cheese are the must-haves. Hummus, ranch, or peanut butter make veggies more appetizing. Honestly, the options are endless. If time is your friend, you can even make it fun by making smiley faces and fun shapes.

bonus

No lunch is complete without a little note from mom or dad. This past year, several students stashed a year's worth of lunchbox notes in their pencil pouch. Believe it or not, this type of affirmation starts at an early age. I remember the joy that I felt when my mom tucked a note that said, “I love you” in my lunch box when I was in school. It was just what I needed to get through a tough day.

Guess what? You are not a bad mom if you stick to a sandwich and chips in a brown lunch bag. No one knows your schedule like you do, and your child is still going to believe that you hung the moon. Good luck blasting off to a new school year! It’s a fresh start with so many adventures awaiting!