It is back to school time again, and along with it comes all the preparation! Come up with kids lunch ideas, buy school supplies, and child care arrangements just to name a few!
I have a special situation this year as my little one will begin kindergarten! As we embark on this new adventure, there are many new things to do. One of these new things is packing a lunch for her to take to school. What should I pack, and what is the best way to pack it? Will my kid actually eat it? I have done the research, and the results are in! Keep reading to discover ideas to make packing kids lunches a breeze!!
Things to Think about for Kids Lunch at School
I have been busy reading articles and talking to friends about kids lunch ideas for school. Here are some key points to keep in mind as you are meal planning:
- What are the school guidelines regarding peanut butter and/or nuts?
- Are there any other food restrictions at the school?
- Choose a durable lunch bag your child will like, and will meet all of your needs. For example, ensuring the containers you plan to use will fit inside it.
- Let your kids practice opening and closing food and drink containers.
- How long is the lunch period? It is important to pack items that are easy for the kids to eat in the allotted time.
- Does the school offer hot lunch if you need it? Where can you see the menu, and what is the cost?
Our Lunch Bags & Ice Packs
We have 3 different lunch bags for kids at our house! Our plan is to start with the pink unicorn bag to the left in the image below, which came with containers and a water bottle. The containers might be a little tricky for her to open / close, so there may be some trial and error with container styles. The middle lunch bag came with a backpack set, and the one of the right we’ve used for preschool or day trips. We also have cool owl ice packs that are the perfect size for kids lunch bags!
Lunch Ideas
I will be the first to admit that I do not enjoy packing lunches, whether it is for myself or anyone else. I was having a difficult time deciding what I will pack for my little one to take to school. Sometimes she can be very picky (like most kids) and I want to make sure she will like her lunch and actually eat it.
I want to share what I have learned to help you make packing your kids lunch a breeze!
Check out the handy menu of kid friendly food below (Click on the “Download” button to save for later)! The menu has many food choices to mix /match and keep lunch interesting. You could even let your child help with the planning by having them select items from each group! This will engage them in the process, and ensure they get a chance to choose what they want. This is also great for building decision making skills!
school-lunch-menu-2School-Lunch-Menu-2
So, there you have it. Everything I have learned so far about packing lunches for kids, and keeping it simple!
Now it’s your turn! What do you like to pack for your kids lunch? Do you have any favorite recipes, tips or tricks you want to share? You can do so in the comments section below. We would love to hear your ideas!