Liven Up Those Lunchboxes!
Both of my kids started school this week and it has been a very strange few days for me. For the first time in eleven years, my voice echoes off the walls during the day. I find myself sitting down to work and waiting for someone to need something before I get started. I’m sure I’ll get used to it eventually but for now the silence, and ability to actually get things done from start to finish without interruptions, is positively unnerving.
I’m so glad I at least have a dog who talks to me from time to time and asks to be let out.
With the onset of school most parents start to fretting over the inevitable lunchbox dilemma.
What will I put in their lunchboxes? How do I keep it from becoming boring?
First of all, there are a few things to keep in mind here. You are mostly trying to keep it lively for you. The majority of kids have no problem with eating the same thing day in and day out if it is what they like. Trust me, I’ve packed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at least three times a week for five years now. It’s funny how we take these kids who ask for macaroni and cheese at every meal and suddenly expect them to be bored by having the same thing twice in one week.
Secondly, remember to think outside of the box when it comes to your kid. Don’t try to fit their lunch into everyone else’s mold. Just because Wally and the Beave took a sandwich and apple to school each day in a brown paper sack doesn’t mean that you aren’t a good parent if you end up sending tofu and peanut butter (Extreme example here. Neither I nor my children have ever actually eaten tofu.)
When Brady was in preschool, I sent him a traditional lunch the first day. Sandwich, fruit, chips. His teacher came to me after school all worried because “He wouldn’t eat a single bite of his lunch”. She said he seemed hungry but wouldn’t touch it. It occurred to me that my son didn’t like sandwiches at the time. I felt compelled to send a sandwich though because, well that was just what I felt you had to do. I told her “Okay, tomorrow’s lunch is going to look strange but I promise he’ll eat it”. the next day I sent a container of cherry tomatoes and a container of grapes. He ate every bite and his teacher was thrilled. Sure it lacked protein but just remember that this is one meal out of their day and I’m pretty sure no one expects us to eat the entire food pyramid in one sitting.
A third thing to keep in mind is that what you pack does affect how they function in school. I try to make sure the channels of communication are always open between my children’s teachers and myself. They will notice if there is a problem with your child long before it shows up on the report card and the sooner you know the better your chances of helping. One week, Brady’s first grade teacher said that he had been suddenly having a hard time paying attention in math. This wasn’t like him and I was so grateful that she pointed it out to me. I asked her what time math was as I searched for possible reasons. Turns out, math was directly following lunch.
Well, that week I had taken Brady to the grocery store with me and relented when he asked for these new drinks for his lunchbox – not paying a lot of attention to the fact that they had over thirty grams of sugar. You add that to the sugar in his flavored yogurt and we had a hyped up kid right about the time math rolled around. I immediately altered his lunch and the teacher noticed a difference the very next day.
What to pack?
A lot of us have picky eaters (fortunately, most kids grow out of that!) and we rack our brains trying to think of things to pack in their lunches. I’ve found it is a lot easier if you’ll sit down and make a list, dividing it into categories. When I did this for Katy Rose I was pretty impressed! I taped my list on the inside of my pantry door for easy reference. I don’t have to worry about this with my oldest because he pretty much eats anything that isn’t nailed down at this point in his life. Categories to consider are: Protein, Vegetables, Fruit, and Carbs.
Think beyond the sandwich.
Roast Beef & Cheese Tortilla Roll Ups
Sometimes you get tired of making sandwiches, occasionally kids get tired of eating them. There are other options.
Note: The following items are from my list of things my Katy Rose will eat, meant as inspiration to get you started on your own lists.
Then I got to thinking about protein that Katy will eat. The only sandwich she will eat is pb&j and I wanted to offer more options. When I sat down to make up a protein list, I was surprised again at all of the options I came up with of things that she likes!
- Tortilla “roll up” Sandwiches. If it can be put between two slices of bread, you can roll it up into a tortilla. Brady loves these.
- Cheese – this is something I’m doing for Katy this year. Sometimes she wants a sandwich, sometimes she just wants a piece of mild cheddar cheese.
- Peanut Butter Balls – These are a powerhouse of nutrition, and I like to substitute honey for the corn syrup.
They are filling and full of protein, handy because they are kept in the freezer. Katy and Brady both love them.
- Peanut Butter between Graham Crackers
- Peanut Butter on Celery -I often make these and put them on a plate to serve with supper. This is my kid’s version of a “fancy appetizer”
Fruits also make a great side item or dessert. What fruit will your child eat?
I started making a list of fruits my picky eater would eat and was surprised at how long it was!
- Melon
- Cantaloupe
- mandarin oranges (I keep cans in the pantry, drain them and put in a little container)
- Canned fruit salad
- apple sauce
- strawberries
- grapes
- blueberries, raspberries
- bananas
Here are some side items that made Katy Rose’s list:
- Pudding
- Yogurt
- Chips
- Crackers
- Popcorn (I often pop some in the morning and pack it with lunch)
- Carrots
- cucumbers
So for someone who I thought of as a strictly PB&J gal, I now have a list of plenty of options thanks to taking the time to think it out and write it down.
Don’t forget the pixie dust!
This is my favorite part of packing lunches and the one my kids look forward to most,
sprinkling a little Mama Magic into each one.
This is my supply box. I keep some stickers, plain white index cards, and sharpie markers.
With them I can do all sorts of fun things!
The index cards are perfect for little notes. For children too young to read, you can draw pictures or just keep it to the words they know how to read, such as their names. This was the note I had in Katy Rose’s lunchbox on her first day of Kindergarten. I put them in a little sandwich bag to protect them from moisture.
I never set out to be a “Ma”. I had planned on being “Mama”. When Brady was four years old, though, he started calling me “Ma” instead. I asked him about it one day and he replied “Well, you know I’m getting older now and when I say Mama, it kinda sounds like baby talk”. I decided then and there that as long as they were saying it with love ‘Ma’ was fine with me. Of course, when his sister came along, she followed in her big brother’s footsteps. Now, every time they say my name I feel like Caroline Ingalls but oh well…
For the older ones, even if they seem too old to value such a thing, never underestimate how much a little note can do for a child. I put this one in Brady’s lunch on his first day of fifth grade. When I picked them both up from school and asked how their day went, the first thing out of both of their mouths was to tell me they got their notes!
Another fun thing I like to do is use my sharpies to decorate lunch containers. These are the little sandwich thingies from rubbermaid.
(Note: I have zero drawing talent. I can barely draw stick people. It’s the thought that counts though!)
This is a compartment container by Ziploc brand.
You can draw a design on the underside of it so it doesn’t touch your food, but remember to write any words backwards!
This is a neat way to decorate your child’s lunch for the holidays, too.
I like to keep my eyes open for sales on printed napkins and sometimes I just pick up a package of some character my kids like, they are usually about two dollars for fifteen to twenty napkins, which isn’t much of an investment and will really brighten up a lunch for a surprised child, especially the younger ones!
When it comes to lunchboxes themselves, there are a few that i love and a few that I avoid like the plague (but they still manage to come into my home each year).
These are my favorite. It is a traditional design but with lots of room inside for a drink thermos, sandwich container, and plenty more. I try to steer my kids towards these whenever possible. The other designs and shapes are ones that I find difficult to pack, limited on space, and with no room for a drink thermos so I’m left with only juice boxes as an option. Juice boxes can get expensive and my kids tend to drink a little more than that with their lunch so I prefer the little drink thermos.
There are a lot of Bento lunchboxes out there and I love the concept because you can pack several different smaller servings but still have a great variety, but after extensive shopping both online and in stores, I have yet to find a bento box that wouldn’t leak and was suitable for younger children. Expecting either of my kids to keep their lunchbox in an upright position from the time they leave the house until the time they get to the lunchroom is entirely unrealistic. A lunchbox has to be able to survive a trip on the Wabash Cannonball in order to make it with my kids! (the Wabash Cannonball was a country music song but they named a roller coaster after it at the old Opryland. It was a beautiful roller coaster!)
I did find this one on the left and I actually ordered it…but my GOODNESS it is HUGE, and it also relies on little hands taking the time to close it carefully when they are done with lunch, pressing down and sealing all compartments to make sure any leftovers don’t leak into their bookbag. Umm yeah, not gonna happen. I’m happy with my traditionally sized lunchbox and rubbermaid containers. A few plastic bags won’t kill anyone, either. I repent by reusing my sandwich containers and drinking thermos.
The lunchbox on the right is another design I really don’t care for. There isn’t room for a thermos in the main compartment and whatever you put in the bottom compartment is most likely going to be forgotten. Having said this, I’ve also found that the coolest designs will only come in these types of lunchboxes. ~laughs~
This is the most durable drink holder I have found. Brady is still using one that I bought him at the beginning of school last year, and that is really saying something for quality! They don’t leak, they’re easy for young kids to operate, and they keep beverages nice and cold. They are a bit pricey, about $13 each, but considering how long they last I think that’s a value compared to most things out there. I got these two at Target but I’ve also seen them on occasion at Wal Mart. They are Thermos brand. I love, love, love, love them!
Ice Packs are a must at our house. I get them for fifty cents to a dollar each and try to keep four or five in the freezer because I usually don’t open yesterdays lunchbox until I’m ready to pack it again, so I need a freshly frozen ice pack. I’ve also seen where a lot of folks freeze juice boxes and put them in to keep everything cool
I do like to freeze yogurt sticks, though, and if they aren’t completely thawed by the time lunchtime rolls around the kids still enjoy them just as much.
These little d clip keychains are wonderful! I get the in the automotive department, where you have keys made.
I hook the keychain onto Brady’s backpack handle…
and he can easily clip his lunchbox onto his backpack.
And these are little keytags that I picked up in the automotive department over at Wal Mart. There is a little slide in plate you can put names on. I have them on both of my kid’s lunchboxes and backpacks. They are very handy and I paid about $1.50 for three of them.
So these are my ideas to help brighten up lunchtime preparation for you and lunchtime enjoyment for your precious children. If you have a handy tip or idea, please leave it in the comments below.
Feeding their little bodies is important, but don’t forget that you are also feeding their spirits as well.
”Always hug with both arms
and never be the first to let go”
Thanks to Dolores for sending me this. Click here to submit your quote!
Posted by Christy Jordan
on Aug 13 2010. Filed under Misc, Southern Plate Kids.
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Even though I don’t have kids, I really enjoyed reading this post. I remember my mama packing lunches for me with sweet notes, etc., and it meant so much. I would not touch a sandwich with a 10 foot pole when I was little, so I often ate corn and blackeyed peas that Mama would pack in a thermos. She also got up and would fry me hamburgers! I might have been a little spoiled
Luckily our school provided good, nourishing lunches as well.
This is the perfect post for me today…perfect!! Thanks!!
Christy,
I quite happily home school my kids, but it is cute ideas like yours that make me daydream about sending them to school. What a sweet and special way to show them that you love them when they are away from you. The way you love your kids inspires me to love my kids with more of the special little things!
Thanks for the (kind) kick in the pants today.
Dear Leslie,
You know what? I’ve always dreamed of homeschooling! The care and dedication you put into your children inspires ME!
But, thank you for your kindness. It always helps to see things from another perspective. Grass is always greener, but I think we both got pretty good things going for us
Gratefully,
Christy
I’m on to the great-greatchildren stage so past the lunch packing saga for my 3, but remember it well.
I notice your cats don’t talk to you, either ; )
Yes, homeschooling is a wonderful way to provide children with an exceptional level and “out of the box” type of education. But remember, ladies, just because your children are attending class in the home doesn’t mean you can’t pack their lunches and do unique notes, etc.
Several of my friends did home schooling and made an effort several times a week to either have a picnic lunch outside, take a brief trip to a close park/playground, or even had planned field trips with other home-schooled children/parents. Like a trip in Oct. to a local farm or pumpkin patch to pick just the right pumpkin for decorating during the “fine arts/crafts” school session.
Kudos to homeschooling moms
Thanks, Christy. Doing a lot of that, but loved the written on container idea and the clip for the lunch box on the backpack. Will try these next week. Just sent my first Kindergartener to school last wee and miss taking care of her through the day. The containers will let her know I’m thinking of her beyond the notes I’ve put in her lunch.
Love your posts. Thanks a bunch. Feel like I know you although we’ve never met. Can’t wait for your cookbook.
Julie
We’re using the Goodbyn lunch box for my daughter this year. But she’s a little bigger than Katy!
My Rowena is in the 7th grade this year and she loves her Goodbyn. The different compartments challenge me to give her more than chips and a sandwich. So we’re rethinking our lunches.
My son prefers to eat in the cafeteria… Lord love him. He just loves cafeteria food. My daughters would rather starve. LOL!
Luckily I still have my youngest to homeschool. Otherwise I’d be totally alone here!
I laughed out loud when you used the Wabash Cannonball term, mainly because I needed no explanation as I had rode that ride MANY times over the years of my visits to Opryland. That place was awesome back in the day.
I use those same thermoses I have 2; 1 I got at the beginning of last year and one the year before!! I am on the look out for them to go on sale with the back to school stuff so I can get another since Abby is starting school next year. I have told many about them. I pour the juice/water in it the night before then leave it in the fridge over night, I will throw some ice in it the next morning and I am not kidding the ice will still be in it when he gets home. The characters have come off but ours get used ALOT and even go to the ballpark with us. I also get those on the go drink mixes to use this mixes it up alot on what flavors he can have, they go on sale alot I just stocked up on Crystal light ones the other day.
I didn’t buy wyatt a new lunch box this year cause the one I found last year I love and it was still looking good. It fits the thermos and other food up top and I put his sandwich on the bottom I found a great sandwich container in the dollar bin at Target.
I also got a good hot thermos container I have the one they sell like the drink ones it is ok . this is a Thermos brand one also but it seems to work alot better. I send left over spaghetti or chef boyrdee alot of the time. I will put hot water in it and left it sit for a few minutes before I put the HOT food in there and his food will still be warm at lunch time. it has a spoon built in the top also
love the container decoration. That gives me ideas for christmas presents that I can fill up with goodies. My son eats in the lunchroom most of the time but I do put him little notes in his snack box. He told me he was a big boy and brave and he did not want me to walk him in the first day which was yesterday. He is in First grade this year. thanks for the inspiration and the smile that you give.
Instead of just cutting my kids’ sandwiches in half, I used to cut them with a cookie cutter occasionally. I also wrote notes or drew funny pictures on their napkins. Kids are 28 and 30 now, but the memories are still there.
Wow, some wonderful tips there, Christy. I’ll be passing this on to my daugher in law as the grandson will start first grade Thursday. We know how you are feeling with Katy starting school. When did these little ones get old enough to go to school? I’m sure we will shed a few tears this week.
Love the idea of writing notes on the bottom of the containers! I have a memory of my mom surprising me one year for April Fool’s Day by making me a green peanut butter sandwich. Thanks for all the ideas! Much appreciated.
Wow..this post just made me feel sad! My youngest daughter just got her license and will be able to drive off campus for lunch this year…so no more packed lunches for me! I loved writing notes on her bag and putting some notes in her bag….I have even taken a sharp object like a shish kabob stick and written on the skin of her banana…it’s invisible until lunch time when the message is clearly visible!
Thanks for this! My son started Kindergarten this year and these are the great ideas I have been looking for! I wish I had your creativity!
Thanks so much Christy for these ideals.
My daughters dont start back to school till August 30th, this really gives me some good ideals to pack for lunch. I love the “rolled sandwich” they got so bored last year with traditional sandwiches and the microwave line is too long for them to take in anything that needs to be warmed up.
Anna Jane started kindergarten a week ago. More than a few tears were shed…just not by her. I was a mess!
The night before, I picked out several pictures of her with her friends, pets, Daddy, etc. and then taped them inside the lid of her metal “Hello, Kitty” lunchbox. She never mentioned the pictures, so I figured that the idea didn’t go over very well. Well, this morning in the car, she was telling me about a little girl who got upset at school the day before. This little girl cried nearly the whole day–which had an impact on our girl. After she told me the story, I asked her if she had gotten sad at school and she laughed out loud—then said: “Mama, I have my whole family in my lunchbox! If I get sad, all I have to do it sneak a peek at them and I feel all better!” That totally made my day!!
Aww.. that is so sweet. My eyes teared up reading that.
What a wise little girl you have.
Love the pic of the kids at school with Brady having his arm around his sister. Such a Big Brother taking care of little sis at school. so cute.
Thanks for sharing the great tips! I always include a note or something special. Valentine cards (purchased on sale after Valentine’s Day) also make great little lunchbox additions. My son really enjoys days when I write silly jokes, riddles or knock-knock jokes on his note. I also worry about him putting his food directly on the table, so a brightly colored cloth napkin makes a great placemat and takes up very little room. Use cookie cutters to turn ordinary sandwiches into something special, and then decorate using raisins, peanuts and more! Inexpensive party favors or new pencils make great lunchbox prizes, also.
Great tips for the back to school lunch! Love the doodles on the containers!
Yesterday I read a post for easylunchboxes.com…….and was impressed. A Mom came up with the size, shape, and idea for a one piece bento box and the cooler to fit it with room for a thermos, ice pack and extras. Lunch ideas for children and adults were also there. Frozen little fruit cocktail cups are great treats and help keep lunch cool too.
My Daddy used to make my lunches in the morning and even when I got to high school he cut my sandwiches in all sorts of funny shapes, punching holes in it with an apple corer, cookie cutters, and whatever other fun stuff he could find. My friends loved seeing what he’d done each day with my lunch. Love those memories and will do the same when my oldest starts school – I still have two years to go though – not hurrying it at all!
Wow… my child is 21 and in college… but reading this post makes me wish I had another kid to pack lunches for. LOL What fun ideas.
As someone already mentioned… I used to cut out sandwiches with different shaped cookie cutters.
Sometimes I’d pack an extra cookie or fruit rollup so she’d have something to “trade” when a friend had something tastier than what she had. LOL
I also wrapped the ice pack in a paper towel and tucked it into a ziplock back. That way the condensation didn’t make anything else in the lunchbox wet.
I hope everyone’s little ones enjoy going back to school and all you mamas take a little of your new found time to do something nice for yourselves.
Christy, this is a great post and brought back memories of packing lunches for my boys!! Brady and Katy Rose will have sweet memories of all the fun of “lunchbox” days!
Graham cracker and PB is one of MY favorite lunches!!
Bountiful Blessings!
I brown-bag my lunch to work every day and believe me, some of these tips will work just as well for grown-ups. I think I’ll start a list of my favorite lunch-able foods for those days when I either don’t have something leftover from a previous dinner, or I just don’t feel inspired.
Hubby and I are teachers and pack a lunch every day. Thank you for the ideas and the reminder that packing a lunch doesn’t have to be boring.
It looks like you already do this by the pictures you posted, but I recommend buying an extra lunchbox NOW. Hubby is extremely rough on his lunchboxes (they barely make it through a year) and broke the zipper on his in November. It’s nearly impossible to find a lunchbox any other time of year than August. I managed to find 2 in the clearance aisle of Walmart and bought the one that didn’t have Miley Cyrus on it
. I have a backup for this year, but if anyone knows a store that sells them mid-year, I’d like to know.
I love reading lunchbox ideas! My oldest starts 3rd grade next week. This weekend I plan to make plenty of pb&j’s and stick in the freezer. I use the cutter from Pampered Chef, since she hates crusts. Whenever I’m feeling creative, I use edible markers to draw on the sandwich or another food item. She absolutely loves it. I can’t draw anything more than a stick figure, but it’s the thought that counts
Can you really freeze pb&j sandwiches? That would be a huge help. How do you keep them from getting soggy when they thaw?
Yes! I flash freeze them by laying out on a cookie sheet until nearly frozen. Pop them into zippered sandwich bags and the little bags into a gallon sized freezer bag. They thaw just enough by her lunchtime (around 12:00) to not get mushy.
I actually cried reading this. For the first time, I will be packing a lunch and sending my daughter off to school. It’s bittersweet – kind of the beginning of the end. Man, I’m going to start crying again if I don’t watch out! Thanks for the great ideas – the school is very picky about what is packed in their lunches. They have to have a certain number of fresh veggies and fruits, whole grains, and proteins. I’m going to go make a master list now!
My children are over 21 now and married so it’s been a long time – - but, this post brought back memories of my mama and the wonderful lunches she packed for me through my school years, even into high school! And, I sure do wish I had managed to keep my old metal lunchbox (I believe it was a brightly colored one with Trigger, Roy Rogers’ horse, on it) – I wish I had a cheese sandwich with dill pickle on it, carrot & celery sticks, and a homemade oatmeal raisin cookie for lunch today, but only if mama fixed it
Hi Christy,
Imagine my surprise when I discovered my Caleb is in class with your Katy Rose.
I’m sure when he see her lunches he is going to want me to pack his lunch too. I’m glad you posted some great ideas to get me started!
Kim
P.S. Katy looks like a little Dixie Darling in the picture you posted in her Kindergarten Round-Up outfit.
Found memories of packing my 3 childrens lunches. Fav was always putting a hotdog in their thermos and pouring hot (temperature)chili over it to cook it, then send a hot dog bun and voila, coney dog and chili soup for lunch. They always thought that was so cool.
Love reading your post. It brought back memories when I use to pack school lunches many, many years ago.
I thought I would share a little surprise I use to slip into my son’s lunchbox that brightened his day, a FORTUNE COOKIE! Back then, I bought them in a box, individually wrapped. He enjoyed reading his fortune everyday and shared it with his classmates.
I remember when I used to have the problem of what to put into a lunch box that would not be brought back home. My daughter loved peanut and jelly sandwiches and bologna and cheese. She said that by lunchtime the cheese was “melty”.In the cooler months, she liked spaghetti and meatballs in her thermos. Pudding cups and individual containers of applesauce went over great. Little notes that reminded her that she was loved made her lunch taste better I think.She often commented that the other children couldn’t wait for her to open her lunch box so they could see what “good stuff” she had. Just remember that whatever you put in a lunch box, always put in an extra helping of love.
I loved the pictures of Katy Rose and Brady. They are adorable. I don’t pack lunches for kids anymore but I pack mine on my work days. Love to you.
I read your post just before I ran out to the store for some back to school shopping. Picked up those cups you recommended. Man, they are awesome. The best kids thermos I have ever owned. Thanks for the tips.
Kids love kabobs, grab a couple extra coffee stir straws, from your next coffee stop. String chunks of apple, pineapple, melon, banana, grapes, strawberries, and or any other fruit they will eat on the straws (coat the apples and bananas with lemon juice to prevent browning), freeze overnight, and place in plastic bags to transport to school. A pk of string cheese and a handful of pretzels make for a great fun lunch.
Kids also like those nasty lunchables, slice real cheese, meat and pack a handful of whole wheat crackers to make your own healthier version.
A homemade oatmeal raisin cookie, and a serving of apple sauce with some milk also makes a lunch for even the pickiest eater and if made at home you can control the sugar, and even sneak in some peanut butter, walnuts, and or dried milk to enrich the cookie.
I was so happy to see your wonderful pictures, Brady and Katie Rose. You just looked so grown up and so ready to go handle it all!!!!
Brady, you just get more handsome by the day!!! And I love the way you look to be taking care of your little sister. What a man!!!!
Katie Rose, I will just bet you wowed them all your first day of school.
I do not know you but feel as if I do as I follow you and your momma and poppa on Southern Plate. It is one of my favorite sites and you are among my favorite people. My best wishes for a wonderful school year!
Much love, Sally
Hi Christy! I have loved reading this today! All of my kiddos are grown and now the grandkids are growing up, too! But, I had so many wonderful memories come up while reading this. Your ideas are fantastic and I know that Brady and Katy Rose are 2 very lucky and special children!
I love their pictures!!
Believe me, you will find ways to fill up the time in your days! It will happen almost by magic and then you’ll wonder how you EVER got anything done when the kids were home! lol! The tears you cry this week will dry and be replaced by fond memories like mine……………hang in there “Ma”, you’ll be just fine! (((Hugs)))
My boys didn’t like sandwiches either.Among other things, I remember making baked apples (core the apple and fill with brown sugar, cinnamon & raisins) or baked potatoes in the microwave while they ate breakfast.I scooped the potato out of the peel and topped with either chili & cheese or cheese and bacon bits. Either went in a short, wide-mouth thermos to stay hot till lunch. They loved these and leftovers like spaghetti or macaroni & cheese, etc. from dinner the night before in their thermos.
My husband is self-employed and makes a point to have lunch with our children on Pizza Fridays. The kids love showing off their dad.
As a mother of a child with a nut allergy, PLEASE do not encourage your children to trade foods at the lunch table, particularly if there are children with food allergies. My daughter was once given a brownie with walnuts, which she luckily did not eat.
The first time both my was in school was very strange, now I’m starting the empty nest. My boys are grown , so I haven’t packed lunches (except my own that is) in years. But I use to write on the boys baggies and send notes. It always made thier day. Now I send things (homemade snacks, (they live in TX I’m in TN, haven’t seen them in two years.)) treats in the mail. Inever thought about decorating the containers to make thier packages more special. Thank you for your tip, and recipes Christy. We love them and you. (((hugs))) to you, your special friends readers on this site, and family. They are cuties.
[...] Christy at A Southern Plate posted awesome ideas for packing lunches [...]
I put jokes in my kids lunch sometimes! They love it! A good website to get kid jokes from is http://www.jokesbykids.com the jokes are submitted by kids!!!
Hey Christy,
When we were kids ( many moons ago) if we ran out of bread my mom would make our sandwiches on crackers. Of course way back in the olden days, saltines came 4 together and were about the size of a slice of bread. I loved those better than the bread sandwiches. They were wrapped in wax paper because if sandwich bags were around, we couldn’t afford them and zippy bags didn’t exist.
Something you and others might find helpful, is that many sandwiches, wraps, and such can be made ahead of time and frozen. So you can do your prep work for lunches when you have the time and then just grab and pack in the morning.
I taught pre-k/kindergarten for 20 years. I found the almost all kids love to eat foods they can dip in something else.
*Fruit dipped in peanut butter thinned with a bit of milk apples and pears are great this way
*Baby carrots and ranch dip, pretzels and ranch dip
*Cheese sticks and pepperoni chips (microwave pepperoni slices between layers of paper towels until crisp) dipped in pizza sauce. One of my favs
*Fruit dipped in yogurt dip ( yogurt mixed with a bit of honey)
* Little smokies dipped in mustard ( or cut up hot dogs)
Most important is let your child have a hand in what goes in their lunch. Don’t open up to anything but give them the choice between this option and that. If they feel like they had an option they are more likely to eat what you pack.
Just a retired teacher’s thoughts on this subject.
Oh btw, unless your child is old enough to understand not sharing. Nuts are not a good choice. Many many children have nut allergies and a shared peanut can be dangerous.
Love this post…When my children were in school (early 70′s) I would pick a casserole that held together, that they liked (Green Rice..Br rice, eggs, cheese etc)….baked it in small pie tins..then froze it… Would be thawed by lunch time..They loved it….
You can find cute smaller ice packs at Target for $1! We’ve got some with characters from the movies Cars and Toy Story. I stock up on them when I find them. They also sell great sandwich holders too. Check up front near the Cashiers next time you go into Target.
I enjoyed reading this post. I have been packing lunches for my girls since 1994. I don’t pack for my oldest anymore since she’s away at college, but I pack one everyday for my youngest (she’s a junior) and myself. I have used a lot of your ideas over the years. I take my youngest daughter with me when we grocery shop, and I let her pick out things that she would like packed. I buy up a big case of Nestle’s Quick chocolate milk at BJ’s that she loves, and it is much cheaper. Plus I don’t have to worry about buying drinks each week for her lunch. My oldest always had to have grapes and turkey sandwich on the first day of school. Kind of a first day of school tradition. I have packed chicken noodle soup and spaghetti o’s for my oldest in a thermos. Just pour some boiling water into the theroms first for about 5 minutes to get the thermos hot, then pour in the hot soup, spaghetti, etc. It will be hot at lunch time using that method. Those little Zip Lock containers, zip lock bags, and tupperware cups have been used very well around here.
I teach in kindergarten, and we sit with the class the first few days of school during lunch. I sat at the table with the packers, and the other teacher sat with the buyers. The kids were so cute, wanting to see what I had packed in my lunch and comparing their lunch to mine. Too precious! I hope Katie Rose is enjoying kindergarten. I love my kindergarteners! Kindergarten is a fun and busy place to be.
I know I have friends that tell me both my girls should have been packing their lunches on their own when they got in high school, but I don’t mind doing it. It’s one thing I like to do for them. It’s going to be sad after next year when I only have lunch to pack for myself when my baby heads off to college.
Hey. You know by now that Blair and all of the rest of our same-age kids have moved to the big school – The Intermediate School! Yikes. Going good so far. Hope Brady has a good year! I miss Brookhill already – even though Grayson will be there next year for kindergarten. Watch out Brookhill! Then I will be there for five more years. Ha. Anyway was going to tell you that my mama is a “Ma.” The first grandchild, my Bailey, started calling her that when she was a baby. Yep – we think of Caroline Ingalls, too. Ha. I grew up on that show and still love it today – except now that I am older – I cry through the entire show. Ha. Anway….cute lunchbox ideas! I do the notes and stickers and cute napkins, too. May try to decorate some of the clear plastic containers this week!
Kim
Great ideas! Just wanted to let everyone know that Big Lots carries the Thermos brand kids drink thermos cheaper than Target. They are last years models or something so have different characters than Target. Target has Toy Story – Big Lots has Kung Fu Panda (also Superman, Princess and maybe another). Anyway, got my boys these at Big Lots. They also had the short food thermos as well.
My daughter doesn’t eat bread unless it’s a grilled cheese sandwich. She won’t eat tortillas either so I am somewhat dreading packing the lunch box. There are some great ideas on here that will make it go a little smoother. Thanks for getting the lunch ideas started.
Just a little ideal for decorating containers for those who do not like their own artwork. Look in coloring books, on cards or napkins etc for cute pictures. Hold up to a window for a light source and trace on back to reverse the image if needed. Then place against clear container and tape in place from inside and then with a sharpie trace onto outside of container or lid.
I don’t have children yet but very much enjoyed this post. I really struggle sometimes for things for my husbands lunch. He gets tired of sandwiches just like all of us so this post gave me some new ideas. I love the section about lunch boxes. The lunch box with a second storage I hate. You are right they totally forget food is there and then when I smell something has gone bad I look in that section and there is a cheese stick unopen from Monday and it is Friday. I enjoy your site and thanks again for a wonderful post
So many great ideas! Thank you so much.