Now that school is back in full swing you have purchased the back packs, the supplies, the clothing, and then the greatest struggle of all begins.
What do I pack my kids for lunch?
When you are packing lunch five days a week, it doesn’t take long before you run out of original ideas and your kids start to complain. Mine are too little to complain directly, but after a few days of eating the same thing.. their teachers will start to tell me that they aren’t eating what I packed anymore. This means I need to switch it up.
Here are our top five school lunch ideas! These are in no way extravagant ideas – just the regular kind of everyday lunches that work for my kids.
Homemade lunchables
Growing up I always wanted lunchables. Buying that little tray of food was such a treat to me, but now as a parent I see how unhealthy it usually looks. Not because the food is necessarily bad for you, but because it isn’t fresh and is always slimy feeling. Yuck.
Pair a few crackers (usually Ritz for us) with your choice of cheese, whether it be a cheese stick, the cubed cheese, or the precut cheese slices. Then add your choice of protein like pepperoni, cut up lunch meat like ham or turkey, or skip the meat altogether. Your kids will enjoy making little sandwiches and you will enjoy knowing that the ingredients are fresh.
Mini bagels and cream cheese
Another hit in my household has been min bagels, plain or cinnamon raisin, with cream cheese. While I never really understood because I like my bagels toasted, my kids always finish off their bagels and sometimes ask for more.
Peanut butter and jelly
We try to change up the type of jelly occasionally by grabbing strawberry or another flavor. Sometimes even the peanut butter and jelly jar that is combined. To make it more fun, I use different cookie cutters and cut out shapes for different holidays and seasons. It is a small effort on my part to make lunch a little more fun.
Pizza
Whether it is leftover pizza from the night before or pizza muffins I throw together that morning – pizza is always a hit. It is an easy meal to provide and kids never turn away pizza.
Peanut butter and banana roll ups
Using a tortilla, I spread peanut butter all over then position a full banana towards the end. Very carefully I roll the tortilla up with the banana inside, then cut it into slices. It is easy to make, easy for them to eat, and combines all of their favorite things.
In addition to the meals above, I pack some “sides” if you will. Some of my kids favorite snacks to have with their lunch are things you wouldn’t normally guess.
In addition to the main lunch, I usually pack a few additional items. It is usually broken down into a few things from different categories.
Vegetables
Celery or carrot sticks
Sliced red peppers
Broccoli
(All of which my kids will dip into ranch or some kind of dressing)
Fruit
Watermelon
Cantaloupe
Strawberries
Grapes
Blueberries
Snack
Pretzels
Veggie straws
Goldfish
Baked chips
Popcorn
Dessert
Jello
Pudding
Applesauce
Fruit snacks
Sometimes keeping your kids lunch interesting can be a task all on its own. Hopefully my back to school lunch ideas offered you at least one new idea that you may not have had. If not, just know.. we’re all in this together and by next week – I will new ideas too!
Happy back to school moms!
