Ideas for packing lunches for your child

My daughter just started Kindergarten so packing lunches has been added to my list of things to do. That list is quite long already so I’ve been keeping my eye out for quick and easy lunch ideas to help make sure that particular task doesn’t take up too much of my time.

There are no microwaves or fridges at the school for student use so everything has to be made ready-to-eat. Here are some ideas that you can use for your own child if they’re heading to school, or they make great lunches at home when you’re busy with other things and don’t have time for a long lunch.

Fruit – My kids are fruit fanatics so sending any kind of fruit along with lunch always gets a little 5-yr old thumbs up. You can cut a kiwi in half and pack it in a container with a spoon. Bananas, apples and grapes are oldies but goodies. Watermelon, strawberries, raspberries pears, nectarines and peaches are easy to pack too.

Veggies – Baby carrots and snap peas are quick and easy to send for lunch. You can buy them pre-washed so all you need to do is throw them in a baggie and you’re set. You can cut up other veggies like celery, cucumber, cauliflower, or even broccoli if your kids like them like mine do. You can send a small container of ranch dressing if they like to have a dip with their veggies. If your child isn’t a huge fan of vegetables, here are some ideas to get them to eat more.

Cheese – After you buy a block of cheese, cut half of it into slices and keep it stored in the fridge in a container. You can throw a few slices in a baggie each morning.

Buns – Sandwiches are always a good option for lunch but they take up a lot of space in a small lunchbox so I like to make buns instead. A whole wheat bun with some cheese and ham is what I send. My mom used to make me peanut butter and jam sandwiches when I was in school but since allergies seem to have increased, schools now ask parents not to send anything that contains nuts. (Not to mention a PB&J sandwich isn’t the most nutritious choice.)

Pizza – We like to make pizza from scratch since it’s cost efficient and a lot healthier than delivery. My kids love to eat cold leftover pizza the next day so a slice of pizza once in awhile would be a nice change from buns or sandwiches every day.

Wraps – A tortilla wrap can be rolled around just about anything to make a tasty lunch. If you have some leftover chicken or turkey, add some lettuce and a bit of cheese in. If you don’t have leftover meat, some canned tuna or salmon also works.

Beverage – My kids don’t drink juice very often so I have a reusable drink container that I send with filtered water. The school also has a milk program and I think most other schools do as well.

Dessert – Around here, fruit is dessert, not cake and ice cream. I have some fruit cups, apple sauce, etc. that I send with my daughter. Homemade pudding is a nice treat occasionally. When we’re running low on fruit, I pack a little bag of crackers like Wheat Thins or Triscuits.

You know when your child comes home with an empty lunchbox that you packed a winner. Either that or they traded someone else’s lunch for their lunch.