With the price of school lunches ($2 a day here) packing my kids lunch is a much better option on the budget and the food that they are served at school is not really what I want my kids to be eating (sorry but mexian fries, that are french fries topped with liquid cheese and other junk is not my idea of a meal- and if you are wondering yes that was a meal my daughter came home telling me she ate last year so the school lunch has been tossed out the window for now). Any who back to what I was saying I can make a lunch at home cheaper and healthier at home then they can get at school but we all know that sometimes packing lunches can be dreadful, especially when your kid comes home with most of what you sent with them to school back home.
So to help you out with packing lunches here are some of my tips
Pack lunch the night before – while if you are using a lunch box that you have to stick in the freezer over night, putting everything together and ready to just stick in the lunch box in the morning will save you a ton of time.
Get a quality lunch box like the Pack-It, that has the ice pack built into it, it will leave more room for your child’s food then using an ice pack, and it will keep the food cold longer.
Have a snack basket (or 2) and have snacks that the kids enjoy and let them pick one from each to put in their lunch box.
Give a few choices for sandwiches and let them pick. Having them pick out what they will be eating makes my kids actually eat it. Here are some sandwich ideas that my kids enjoy:
* Peanut Butter and Banana
*Turkey and cheese
*Ham and cheese
*Tuna Salad
*Egg Salad
Bring the kids to the grocery store with you— eeekk!! I know, trust me bringing 3 kids with me to the grocery store is not my cup of tea however for lunch needs it is very helpful. If you are getting granola bars or fruit snacks or juice boxes let them pick them out.
Use a reusable water bottle instead of juice boxes– Not only does this save money but you can let them pick out their own water bottle, and they will enjoy it. Plus it is super easy to toss in the dishwasher when they get home from school and what I like to do is pour a little juice in the bottom and put it in the freezer and then add the rest of the juice in the morning.
Use reusable containers instead of plastic bags- they are easier to open, save money in the long run and your child’s sandwich won’t get smashed in the lunch box.
What are some tips that you have for making packing lunch easier?
Leave a Reply