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Tips for Packing School Lunches
As a single working mother of 4 children,
I was determined to win the lunch-making battle…and I did.
Here’s how I did it.
I included my children in the lunch making process…
Okay, okay… at this point, you are rolling your eyes and grimacing at the thought of what you imagine your kitchen will look like after your child “helps”.
However, it is possible for your children to help make their lunches and in the process make your mornings run a little bit smoother. Packing School Lunches can be made easy. Truly it is possible, in fact, it is truly necessary.
How many times have you heard …”Mom, You didn’t give me what I wanted for lunch” or “I don’t like turkey sandwiches” even though that same child has eaten turkey sandwiches almost every day. It’s frustrating, I know. However, your child will have less to complain about and find it hard to blame you if they packed their own lunch.
I know what you are thinking…it’s just easier to do it myself and I’ll teach them when they are older. Stop thinking that way, step out of your comfort zone and include your children in the process from the very beginning. You can slowly decrease the amount of guidance you need to give them as they grow. You will be happier in the long run. Start the process off at a young age, but set rules and guidelines. No, they cannot pack anything they want, otherwise, they will pack 3 cheese sticks, Halloween candy, and the stale Cheetos that you did not know you even had in the house.
Here’s the trick to packing school lunches…
As you purchase lunch items from the grocery store, have your child count out or measure the items and pre-bag them in small air tight bags.
For example, if the snack is goldfish crackers; younger children can use measuring cups and scoop a 1/2 cup into the bag or container while an older child can count them…either 3 groups of 10 or count to 30. You can even make a lunch chart, where you have 30 squares for them to fill with each snack item. If you do this when you purchase the items, the children get excited about helping and they are busy while you unload the groceries, which can be a form of sanity in itself…phew!
Have a special Lunch item storage area
Store the pre-counted/measured bags and containers of lunch snacks in a drawer or in a basket. Place them on a pantry shelf or cupboard drawer that is at their level. (A decorated box left on the bottom shelf of the pantry can be an additional art project) Personalize it as their special area or the “lunchbox area” for multiple children. Let it be known that these snacks are reserved for school lunches.
Put napkins and utensils in this area as well. (Collect different colored napkins from restaurants, holidays, special occasions and special events that you attend). Young children get very excited about colorful napkins and will tend to use it more often, now that just win-win!
Another fun and cute idea is to pre-decorate the bags. Lunch bags and/or clear sandwich bags. Trust me it is easier than you think! I literally sit down and use a black sharpie to draw funny faces and pictures or I write cute and funny sayings on the sandwich bags. Can’t draw?….ask a friend or co-worker who can, or ask an older sibling, but they do not need to be elaborate. A smiley face is perfect! You can also put something inside the bag to trace, super easy. This only takes a few minutes to do but it goes a long way for lunch time fun. They love sharing with their friends and show off their “artwork”
Time to pack the lunch…
When it is time to pack lunches, ask your children to select one snack bag (or two) for lunch every day. You can also put other items such as nutri-grain bars, applesauce and snack packs for them to select from.
Choosing the perfect lunchbox is very important! You will need to consider your child’s needs, their abilities and the types of food that you will be packing. Here’s an article about The Best Lunchboxes for Children.
In my house, we always try to avoid prepackaged food that has a lot of preservatives, high sugar or high sodium. Instead, have plenty of fresh fruit and/or vegetables for them to choose from also. This way the only part of the lunch that needs to be “prepared” is their main menu item such as a sandwich. Don’t forget leftover dinner items such as pasta can be put into a portable dish (avoid glass), airtight bag or recyclable bag as you clean up dinner, making that one less thing to do in the morning. Your children can do that also! Give the container to your child and ask them to fill it. Your child can and should help with the daily process. If they spill or drop a few items, they should clean them up also…especially the older children. Remember your child is more likely to eat a lunch that they chose and created themselves. Pride of ownership!
Incredible Kitchen Storage set
30 Pack Airtight Food Storage Containers for Kitchen Pantry Organization and Storage, BPA-Free, PRAKI Plastic Storage Canisters with Lids – Cereal, Flour and Sugar, Include 40 Labels, 6 Spoon & Marker
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This kitchen storage container set comes in 5 different sizes for all of your pantry needs.
It includes…11.83 cups/2.8L to 2.2 cups/0.52L (Include 6Pcs 0.52L+6Pcs 0.8L+6Pcs 1.4L+6Pcs 2L+6Pcs 2.8L).
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A chalkboard marker and reusable chalkboard labels that are perfect for a classic label.
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Also includes a measuring spoon set .
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No Leakage – The side-locking lids with silicone gasket make PRAKI food storage containers with lids airtight, which ensure that no air or water enters, providing maximum freshness and prolonged food storage.
Remember your child is more likely to eat a lunch that they chose and created themselves.
Pride of ownership!
Some easy and healthy lunch ideas…
- Whole wheat or multi grain pita pocket is fun to fill
- Take a small portable dish and squirt a small amount of Ranch dressing or hummus and place small carrots or peppers standing up and it becomes instant dippers
- Whole wheat tortillas are fun to spread with hummus, apple butter, or peanut butter. You can use lunch meat and cheese also. Keep it whole for a hand-held sandwich or cut into spirals for fun decorative smaller pieces.
- Wheat crackers with cheese and/or lean meats. They will have fun creating different varieties of mini-cracker sandwiches.
- Kids enjoy the crunchy sounds food make, encourage them with apple slices, carrots, peppers, snap peas, and cucumbers. Have a vegetable crunching contest, see who can crunch the loudest, and who can crunch the quietest, this is always a big hit in the preschool world.
- Pack water to drink instead of sugary drinks. You can always throw in a piece of fruit or two for extra flavor if needed, however, starting your children off young loving water will be helpful in their teen and adult years.
- Avoid cookies and treats with every meal, it starts off an unhealthy pattern of expectations, instead try a Trail Mix, they are always fun. A popular one in our house includes nuts, raisins, dried fruit, and a few chocolate chips.
AVOID sweet treats-they do not need them!
Children will surprise you, they can get very excited about the beautiful color of strawberries! For example, during apple lesson week in a preschool, even hesitant children usually finish the week loving apples.
Packing lunches together can be easy, fun and organized, which is ultimately a huge time saver for the busy parent! Starting your child in the lunch making process in their younger years is easier than it sounds and you will be so glad you did.
