Its ALMOST the end of the school year! If you are like me, you may be struggling with packing nutritious + filling lunches your child will actually eat. I often find myself packing the same lunch time and time again and struggle to rack my brain and find something creative but actually edible (in the eyes of my 7 year-old!). Do you struggle to find new lunch kit ideas?
I have come up with a list of 10 lunch items that are sure to please yet fill up their little tummies! (and keep parents happy, too!)
With just a few short weeks left, these school lunch suggestions will give you some new ideas to end the school year!
1. Homemade Lunchables: cheese, crackers, + sliced deli meat. You can even add pickles, olives or a little bite-sized treat or chocolate bar (if you are so inclined!)
2. Pack it in a thermos: instead of a sandwich I will often pack, a heartier dish in a thermos. Ideas include -- rice, macaroni & cheese, steamed veggies, or soup. P R O TIP: in the morning, fill the thermos with boiled water, let sit 10 minutes, in a separate dish cook/warm-up thermos food. Empty boiled water and add the warmed food to the thermos.
3. Kebabs: The options are endless. Some traditional ideas include: Ham & Cheese // cucumber, tomato, cheese // fruit skewers or let your child pick and choose what to include on their kebab. Enlist your child's help to assemble their skewer the night before.
4. Nachos: this lunch idea works best if your child has access to a microwave at lunch. Fill a Tupperware with corn chips, add shredded cheese. (There is a possibility that when packed this way, the shredded cheese could end up, all on one side of the container. If your child is not able to rearrange the cheese in the container, you could alternatively send them with string cheese or a little container/baggie in which they would simply have to spread over the chips at lunch time.)
5. Pinwheel Sandwiches: Take your child's fave sandwich and spread it on a wrap! Roll the wrap and cut lengthwise -- TADA little pinwheel sandwiches! At our house, favourites include: pizza pinwheels, and nut-free butter & banana pinwheels.
6. Pancakes: Make these the night ahead. Your child can either eat cold (as Mr. 7 does!) or warm them up for 15 seconds in the class microwave.
7. Bagels: An easy alternative to a sandwich. Send with your child's favourite toppings or keep it simple with cream cheese spread and an ice pack (to keep the toppings cool).
8. Cereal: Send individual packages of cereal (alternatively could send a small Tupperware bowl). Pack milk in a thermos + serve with a spoon!
9. Veggie Taco in a Bag: Purchase the small Doritos bag. In separate small containers pack lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese. You could also do tiny containers of mayo/salsa/dressing or pre-purchase individual packages of each. At lunch time, have your child open the bag of Doritos and add each container, serve and eat with a fork.
10. Muffins: As an alternative to a sandwich, send a muffin! Choose between fruit or a more savory option (ie. pizza muffins, quiche muffins, zucchini muffins etc.).
Are you tried of packing school lunches? What is your child's favourite school lunch?
