Back-To-School Lunch Ideas

Photo: @a_content_heart 

Back-To-School Lunch Ideas

The week or two before school begins we as parents always have plans to pack the most Pinterest-worthy snacks and lunches for our kids. But after a few “Pinterest fails”, we get overwhelmed by the amount of time it can take to pack the perfect lunch for our little ones.

But it doesn’t have to be that way! With some careful planning and a few ideas to get you started, packing healthy and delicious lunches for your kids doesn’t have to fade after the first month.

First, make a list of lunch “staples” that you can rotate through each lunch:

Fruits: Blueberries, strawberries, oranges, apples, bananas, peaches, pineapple, mangoes and melon

Veggies: Carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers

Dairy: Cheese, yogurt, milk and pudding

Whole grains: bread, cereal, pasta, crackers and rice

Protein: Eggs, beans, chicken, nuts, seeds and peanut butter

Next, find ways to put the food groups together in FUN ways for your kiddos:

Delicious trail mix: Put together some healthy cereal, nuts, seeds and raisins for a yummy snack to include in your little one’s lunch. You can even add in a spoonful of their favorite candy for a special treat.

DIY Bento Boxes: There’s a reason that kids love lunchables—because there are individual items that they get to assemble on their own. So, invest in some containers with multiple dividers and let your little one do the work! Some suggestions include pasta, sauce and cheese; crackers, cheese and sliced lunchmeat; veggies and salad dressing; lettuce, veggies, seeds and dressing; and tortilla chips, chicken, salsa, cheese and veggies.

A Twist on Sandwiches: Instead of just bread, meat and cheese or peanut butter and jelly, try something fun! Roll some cheese and turkey up and include fun sauces. Invest in cookie cutters to make fun sandwich shapes. Use flatbreads or tortillas instead of sliced bread.

Think of a theme: Since Finding Dory is the hit of the summer, we’ll use the underwater theme as an example! First, cut triangles of cheese and stick them into apple slices use toothpicks to create little sailboats. Boil some noodles with a few drops of blue food coloring added for blue ocean water pasta. Add in goldfish trail mix and a few lifesavers candy for a sweet treat to top off lunch.

Breakfast for lunch: Think along the lines of a DIY bento box and send your little one with breakfast for lunch. Make scrambled eggs and include toppings like bacon, salsa and veggies; or maybe try waffles with berries, cinnamon, and sugar or syrup to top it off.

Making lunch fun for your little one can also be fun for you! Check out another blog post we did on tips for planning ahead and making sure that lunch packing doesn’t become a chore. Have fun ideas of your own for back-to-school lunches? Be sure to tag us in your posts on Instagram @TheOllieWorld.