Fun Lunchbox Ideas

When I was in first grade, I was hospitalized with a bad case of salmonella. They were never quite sure what caused it but suspected I ate some bad food at some point. My Mom was extremely cautious about what I ate after that. In fact, so much that I remember an entire year of the same lunch every day…Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches.ย Because they were the least likely to spoil and make me sick.ย I still can’t eat peanut butter and jelly to this day.

I think thatโ€™s why Iโ€™m highly motivated to make creative lunches for my kids each day.ย Itโ€™s my own personal challenge to myself to pack both of my kidโ€™s foods that are both healthy and fun. And variety is key because I think itโ€™s fun when itโ€™s different each day.

So here are a few ideas of things I do to make my childrenโ€™s lunches healthy and fun:

  • Use Cookie Cutters. Like many kids, my boys donโ€™t like to eat the crust on their sandwiches.ย When my oldest started Kindergarten, I got a variety of cookie cutters at my local Bed, Bath and Beyond.ย I use a cookie cutter each day to cut out different shaped sandwiches for my kids.ย They get Bats and Ghosts in October, Dinosaurs and Stars and Hearts.ย I even have each of their initials and will sometimes spell out their monogram in a sandwich.ย They love it and are always showing their shaped sandwiches to friends.
  • Go with a Roll or Wrap. When Iโ€™m not cutting out shapes, I use Potato Rolls or Sandwich rolls for something different.ย Sometimes Iโ€™ll give them a small wrap too; anything to make it different. They love it.
  • Leave them a note. Although my second grader makes a big show of not wanting a note, he always reminds me when itโ€™s been awhile since I sent one with his lunch.ย Kids love getting a little message from Mom or Dad from home in the middle of the day. Send them a note to tell them how proud you are of them or that you love them and it will make their afternoon!
  • Visit your local produce market. For a variety of seasonal produce, I visit our local produce market. I try and give my kids a fresh fruit salad most days of the week and they love having seasonal, fresh fruit.ย For kids who donโ€™t normally eat fruit โ€“ how about a treat of chocolate covered strawberries?ย You only need a tiny dip to make it something exciting for them to have.

Above all, be creative!ย I find my kids will try most things as long as I package it right.ย Put the food in shapes, get them a colorful or new lunchbox and make it interactive!

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