School Lunches...packing the night before

[aliceindisneyland]

Both my sons (3 1/2 and 7 1/2) make their own lunches the night before with help. They've never complained about the quality of their lunches and I've even sent my older one with green salads before. It may be because they take their lunches in bento boxes that go inside insulated cases with flat freezer pack. Perhaps those do a better job of keeping the food fresh.

Good for you!
And if they noticed a problem with the food (e.g. soggy) they could work out a solution or ask for help! I think kids can and should make their own lunch. You will certainly have less waste if they pack what they like.

 

[JoeyEmmaMomma]

When my son was in kindergarten I started out doing it in the morning and it was such a hassle!
At one point I tried doing it the night before and everything was fine! Such a relief since, like you, I take the time to cut up real food and try to provide a healthy lunch and snack each day.

 

[JoeyEmmaMomma]

I also do everything on Sunday for my boys' lunches - they always want PB&J, but I have done the same w/turkey and cheese (pre-make and freeze) I put PB on both sides of the bread. This prevents jelly from seeping through. I put all the sandwiches back in the original bread loaf bag and throw it in the freezer. The sandwiches are thawed by lunch time regardless of if I make the lunch the night before or in the morning. I too do all the fruit/veggies/snack bags on Sunday and never have a problem. Apples might be the riskiest, but I don't cut these up.

Wow! Cool to hear a sandwich with lunch meat can be frozen!
I do that with pbj, but have never tried doing turkey sandwiches.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I always pack mine the night before. I just do like turkey and bread (what a sandwich I know). I use one of those little plastic sandwich containers that look like Wonder Bread. It seems ok to me the next day.

 

[laceyinwonderland]

Do ya'll know if pimento cheese sandwich's could be made in advance and frozen? That's the only sandwich my DD will eat. I have one of those pampered chef things that makes the sandwiches look like uncrustables. Do ya'll think that would work?

 

[likescarrots]

This will probably sound crazy but I usually make my sandwiches and pack anything that will make them soggy (like tomatoes) separately, in some saran wrap, then add it to the sandwich right before I eat it. My husband will take PB and Jelly in a small container and spread it on the bread at lunch time. But I don't mind PB&J made the night before.

As others have mentioned, fruit that browns, I will add a little lemon juice to the ziplock bag, which usually helps from browning.

I also hate preparing lunch in the mornings, so everything I prepare is the night before.