Tips for Making Lunch Box Packing Fun for Kids (and Less Tedious for Parents!)

Lunch Box Packing Tips and Tricks to Make School Lunches Fun and Stress-Free

With the back-to-school season approaching, the inevitable task of packing school lunches is looming for parents. To make this chore more enjoyable for kids and less tedious for parents, we’ve gathered a collection of expert tips and tricks from influencers in the field. These lunch box ideas aim to not only make mealtime fun but also ensure that children actually eat the food provided.

Britany Navarrete, the creative mind behind LunchBoxForBella, believes in combining children’s interests with their food choices. For her daughter, she has crafted snacks inspired by Taylor Swift lyrics and themed lunches based on the popular show, Gilmore Girls. According to Navarrete, presenting food in creative shapes like a flower-shaped BLT or heart-shaped strawberries can turn an ordinary school day into an exciting culinary adventure.

Maia Neumann from @yumboxlunch promotes the idea of repurposing leftovers from dinner as a convenient lunch option. This approach not only saves time but also encourages children to appreciate homemade food in a new light. For example, turning leftover chicken and potatoes into a refreshing salad or packing pasta in a thermos can make for an appetising midday meal.

@eattherainbow_kids, managed by Kelly Pfeiffer, adopts a colourful approach to lunch packing. By prepping fruits in bite-sized portions and focusing on monochromatic meal options, Pfeiffer ensures that lunchtime is both visually appealing and nutritionally diverse. Rotating through the different colours of the rainbow with choices like strawberries, cherries, and mini peppers adds vibrancy to the lunch box.

Jenny P, the founder of @lunchboxmafia, understands the time constraints that come with school lunch breaks. To address this, she recommends packing simple, easy-to-eat foods that require minimal preparation. By keeping ingredients like hard-boiled eggs, sliced fruit, deli meats, and cheese readily available, parents can assemble lunches in no time. Jenny emphasises that lunch doesn’t have to be extravagant, only fresh and practical.

Beau Coffron, also known as @lunchboxdad, advocates for personalisation and variety in lunch boxes. He includes thoughtful notes for his children and involves them in deciding what to eat for lunch. By offering two healthy choices and incorporating dried or canned fruits when fresh produce is scarce, Coffron ensures that lunchtime becomes a personalised and enjoyable experience for his kids.

Mina Chun, the creative force behind @minas_recipe, adds playful touches to her children’s lunches by using fun accessories like food picks and sandwich cutters. These small details not only enhance the visual appeal of the meal but also delight her children when they discover the cute additions in their lunch boxes. By using these accessories, Chun makes lunchtime a memorable and exciting affair for her kids.

Rossini Perez, the person behind @tinatakeslunch, relies on her freezer stash to simplify the morning rush. By packing frozen items like dumplings that can be quickly reheated alongside fruits, veggies, and snacks, she ensures a convenient and satisfying lunch for her children. Perez’s freezer hack allows her to assemble nutritious meals without added stress during hectic mornings.

Sharon Mathevula of @smartmomz recognises the monotony of daily lunch packing and suggests getting creative with food presentation. Using cookie cutter shapes or arranging a bento-style lunchbox with various snacks can make meals visually appealing and encourage children to try new foods. Mathevula’s innovative strategies aim to make lunchtime an interactive and enjoyable experience for both parents and children.

In conclusion, packing school lunches doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By incorporating these expert tips and tricks from influencers, parents can transform the mundane chore of preparing lunches into a fun and engaging activity for their children. From creative shapes to colourful arrangements, these lunch box ideas are sure to bring joy and excitement to school meal times.