Help with packing School Lunch???

[alayne]

With school starting back August 6th for us I have been trying to think of new ideas for my DS's lunch. I have seen so many creative people on the DISboards that I just had to come here. What creative things have you done for your child's lunch? My DS is going into 3rd Grade and I know that soon he will think my fun ideas are crazy and be like "Please don't". I have my DD to look forward to (she is only 2 months old) but I still want to enjoy my DS for as long as I can get away with it.

So please post your creative lunch ideas..

I have in the past included a Holiday Napkin and Holiday Treat during the months that have Holidays - Halloween, Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc.

What kind of foods to you pack? I catch my self sending the same thing everyday.

Thanks!!!

 

[Missy13d69]

My son really likes lavash pinwheels, and veggie roll ups. Lavash pinwheels are a rolled sandwich made on lavash bread then cut into slices. You can google 'lavash pinwheels 1369' and find my recipe. Veggie roll ups are kind of like a veggie pizza, but rolled and sliced. Take a flour tortilla, spread a mixture of cream cheese and dry ranch dressing mix onto it in a thin layer, then sprinkle on finely diced broc., cauliflower, carrots, and peppers (any other veggies your son likes), then roll it up and slice it into half inch thick slices.

 

[OhanaBreadPudding]

There are a couple bento box websites that I am in love with. You could google "kids bento box" or I can pm you if you would like. The are so elaborate but some of the ideas are doable and really cute. I love using cookie cutters on sandwiches for a fun surprise. Plus, at my son's age, it adds so many little corners to nibble on.

 

[littlebit0863]

Definitely check out the bento box websites. They are so creative! My son loves meat & cheese rolled up together with a pretzel stuck through it.

 

[alayne]

See I knew I came to the right place. I'm going to go google that right now. Thanks do much for the ideas. Please keep them coming!!!

 

[msmama]

I think some of the Bento box things are ridiculous. I WISH I had it together enough to make lunches like that, but it's all I can do to slap some peanut butter on bread, lol!!

That said, I do love the separated love containers and while a lot of Bento websites sell their own, I found gladware ones at Target for much cheaper (just make sure they fit in your lunchbox).

Having separate containers really helps me when packing lunch to make sure I'm getting the right balance of foods!

I'm packing my son's lunch for camp this summer (for the first time ever, he's only done 1/2 day preschool before now) and I was super stressed about it!! The divided containers really help!

 

[alayne]

I think some of the Bento box things are ridiculous. I WISH I had it together enough to make lunches like that, but it's all I can do to slap some peanut butter on bread, lol!!

That said, I do love the separated love containers and while a lot of Bento websites sell their own, I found gladware ones at Target for much cheaper (just make sure they fit in your lunchbox).

Having separate containers really helps me when packing lunch to make sure I'm getting the right balance of foods!

I'm packing my son's lunch for camp this summer (for the first time ever, he's only done 1/2 day preschool before now) and I was super stressed about it!! The divided containers really help!

After googling the bento box I found it was a little out of my league. I have a new baby and trying to adjust to the "starting over" after 8 years I don't think I'll be able to pull that off. I did like the idea of the separate containers and I found a really cute lunch box at Pottery Barn Kids. It has a divided try in side the box and I think he will really enjoy it. Plus I'm like you I think it will be easier to see the balance that I'm looking for.

 

[dragonfly08]

I don't get too fancy with lunches for my girls. I haven't got the time, energy, or creativity. The whole bento box thing is a neat idea but not for me.

Things I send that go over well include some combination of the following (lunch always has a carb, a protein, some fruit and a drink) -
bagels with cream cheese
PB&J sandwiches
yogurt
string cheese
crackers with dip
tortilla pinwheels with lunch meat and cheese
chicken nuggets
mac and cheese
soup
grilled cheese
granola bars
fruits include apples, grapes, melon, applesauce, bananas
homemade lunchables (containers of crackers and toppings, either for pizza or tuna salad)
pancakes or waffles
kabobs (meat and cheese on one skewer, fruits on another)
ham and/or turkey on soft rolls

 

[bankgirl05]

one thing I remember with my oldest daughter (now 17) that I am going to try with my son starting Kindergarten is to let them help pack thier own lunch.

I know mornings can be hectic so maybe it can become part of our bedtime routine, but I found that if she "made" (with a little help and guidance) her own sandwich, and picked (from a pre-selected-by-me) from a few optional snacks, she always ate everything instead of bringing home a sandwich she didn't like (even though bologna and cheese was her fav. the week before) crying that she was starving because she didn't like her lunch.

My son already loves being my kitchen buddy, so hopefully I can use this to motivate him in the morning to get him moving and out the door. If not, we will do it in the evening after bath/before bed. (it gives us a few minutes of much needed 1 on 1 bonding time too)

My youngest DD will be starting 1/2 day pre-k, so no packed lunch there, but plenty of 1on1 time between her brother's bus pick up and hers...

my oldestDD (the 17 year old) would die if I tried to pack a lunch, let alone try to "hang out with her" unless of course, it revolved around me spending a ton of money @ the mall. Sigh.

 

[pequele]

I sent you a pm since I had some links and I didn't think I could post them here!

 

[alayne]

I sent you a pm since I had some links and I didn't think I could post them here!

Thank you! I will check it out!

 

[alayne]

one thing I remember with my oldest daughter (now 17) that I am going to try with my son starting Kindergarten is to let them help pack thier own lunch.

I know mornings can be hectic so maybe it can become part of our bedtime routine, but I found that if she "made" (with a little help and guidance) her own sandwich, and picked (from a pre-selected-by-me) from a few optional snacks, she always ate everything instead of bringing home a sandwich she didn't like (even though bologna and cheese was her fav. the week before) crying that she was starving because she didn't like her lunch.

My son already loves being my kitchen buddy, so hopefully I can use this to motivate him in the morning to get him moving and out the door. If not, we will do it in the evening after bath/before bed. (it gives us a few minutes of much needed 1 on 1 bonding time too)

My youngest DD will be starting 1/2 day pre-k, so no packed lunch there, but plenty of 1on1 time between her brother's bus pick up and hers...

my oldestDD (the 17 year old) would die if I tried to pack a lunch, let alone try to "hang out with her" unless of course, it revolved around me spending a ton of money @ the mall. Sigh.

I can relate some what to the 17 year old - my 12 year old niece would rather talk on her cell phone and be with her friends unless I'm going shopping or to Wal-Mart then I'm the best Aunt in the whole world!!!! LOL

Thanks for the ideas. I have been making him pack his lunch for camp and get his clothes ready the night before. I told him he has to take more responsibility now that we have Maddie. He has been a great help and has only forgot his lunch once all summer.

The only problem with him packing it is that everything he packs is pre packaged and not very healthy - little Debbie's, chips, frozen PB&Js, etc. I want to be healthier and more organized for school. Plus I'm hoping that we will get on a routine and things will be a lot less stressful.

Thanks again for the ideas!!!

 

[alayne]

I don't get too fancy with lunches for my girls. I haven't got the time, energy, or creativity. The whole bento box thing is a neat idea but not for me.

Things I send that go over well include some combination of the following (lunch always has a carb, a protein, some fruit and a drink) -
bagels with cream cheese
PB&J sandwiches
yogurt
string cheese
crackers with dip
tortilla pinwheels with lunch meat and cheese
chicken nuggets
mac and cheese
soup
grilled cheese
granola bars
fruits include apples, grapes, melon, applesauce, bananas
homemade lunchables (containers of crackers and toppings, either for pizza or tuna salad)
pancakes or waffles
kabobs (meat and cheese on one skewer, fruits on another)
ham and/or turkey on soft rolls

Thank you for sharing your list. This is great!!!

 

[nicki.momof3]

I think some of the Bento box things are ridiculous. !

I had never heard of Bento Boxes. I googled and saw some images. I have to agree with the ridiculous comment - sorry.

I have 3 children (oldest in 5th grade). If I sent those lunches to school with my sons I think they would kill me. They would not be "cool".

Now I can see them in preschool but older than 4-5 years is just over the top.

Our typical list:
PB& J
Lunch meat sandwich
Mac & cheese in thermos
Left over dinner in thermos
soup in thermos
crackers and cheeses
frozen go-gurt (they defrost by lunch)
lots of veggies and fruit
string cheese
pretzles
dry cereal
applesauce

Quick, easy, healthy are the key ingredents. We pack everything but the sandwiches and warm foods the night before. As a full time working family we have our kids out the door by 6:10am. We also pack them a breakfast for daycare (school does not start until 9am).

Our kids only have 20 minutes to eat once they get seated. They really do not care about all the extra's. They just want to eat so they can get to the best part of the day - RECESS!

 

[cornflake]

I can relate some what to the 17 year old - my 12 year old niece would rather talk on her cell phone and be with her friends unless I'm going shopping or to Wal-Mart then I'm the best Aunt in the whole world!!!! LOL

Thanks for the ideas. I have been making him pack his lunch for camp and get his clothes ready the night before. I told him he has to take more responsibility now that we have Maddie. He has been a great help and has only forgot his lunch once all summer.

The only problem with him packing it is that everything he packs is pre packaged and not very healthy - little Debbie's, chips, frozen PB&Js, etc. I want to be healthier and more organized for school. Plus I'm hoping that we will get on a routine and things will be a lot less stressful.

Thanks again for the ideas!!!

If they're not there, not options, he can't choose them. It's the same as letting him pick what to do or wear or etc., out of the choices you provide, you just don't leave it open-ended.

If the options he has to choose from are baby carrots, clementines, goldfish, dried fruit, and like, either pbj or falafel, then those are the choices. If he says 'chips' you say 'there are no chips, these are the choices, pick one sandwich, two baggie snacks, what would you like to have for lunch, you decide what to pack.'

 

[bankgirl05]

If they're not there, not options, he can't choose them. It's the same as letting him pick what to do or wear or etc., out of the choices you provide, you just don't leave it open-ended.

If the options he has to choose from are baby carrots, clementines, goldfish, dried fruit, and like, either pbj or falafel, then those are the choices. If he says 'chips' you say 'there are no chips, these are the choices, pick one sandwich, two baggie snacks, what would you like to have for lunch, you decide what to pack.'

That is exactly why I had a choice of "pre-selected-by-me" snacks that DD could choose from, ie: goldfish, carrots and dip, PB crackers, granola bars etc. I try not to keep too much of what I call "ultra junk" (snack cakes, high calorie, high sugar etc) in the house, but one or two boxes may sneak in here and there, so I only use them as special treats and not everyday snacks. If I am providing somewhat healthier choices, and nothing else, I feel better about myself!!!

 

[starsweeper]

I do Bento-style lunches for my kids. I bought cookie cutters and cupcake picks to use for themes, as well as, bento boxes and supplies. It's a lot of fun and doesn't take long to do each evening.

Here is last year's first lunch for pre-K. A wise old owl and apples.

 

[bigbabyblues]

My boys pack their own lunches. One thing we do to save time in the mornings is on Sunday afternoon, I peel and cut up carrots, wash grapes, slice cucumbers, etc, and put in snack size ziplocks and put the in a drawer in the fridge. When they're putting their
Lunch together in the morning, its as easy to grab a bag of carrots or whatever as it is to get prepackaged junk food.

One thing that is a hit with my boys is the pouches of tuna. They don't want the mayo or relish that comes in the little kits, just the tuna in a pouch and a fork.

 

[SarahKate]

Enjoying this thread so far!! I really can't believe that it's already getting to be that time where we have to think about all things back to school! It's always good to get back into a routine, but I feel for my daughter because she's having an awesome summer!!!

I provide content for a local website and I came up with a list of some ideas for helping with school lunches. I need to brush up on that now because I'm totally out of the habit of packing lunches! And I'm going to go back through some of your posts and respectfully snatch a few of your ideas.

I have wanted to get some of the traditional Bento boxes but for my purposes, I do better with the ones from Target. I think maybe they're Sterilite. Latch lid, two small compartments and one larger one. A little big and I have to watch the size of her lunchbag! But the compartments are just the right size. I could never do the elaborate bentos that I've seen online, but it's really not hard to jazz them up a little. Anything you can do to make their food "fun" is great! At a Japanese grocery store, I bought these adorable little animal-shaped forks - they're plastic, reusable and the perfect size for her lunchboxes.

Keep the ideas comin'!

Here is the link: http://springfieldmoms.org/ideas-for-packing-school-lunches/