The new school year brings a lot of frustrations for many parents. Many times already I have heard parents complaining about making school lunches. Terms such as ‘repetitive’ and ‘monotonous’ are too often used to describe the task of making school lunches. The good news is that school lunches can be anything but boring. Dempster’s has just launched a website for parents who are seeking ‘school-lunch’ help – Lunchbox Inspirations. Anyone can visit the site daily and get some great tips and recipes to break the lunch-blahs and keep the spirits alive all year long.
Myself, I have so often grumbled about the tedious job of making school lunches. Yet, like it or not, it has to be done. So I have learned a few tricks to keep it interesting for the maker and the little eater. One simple way is to get the kids involved in making their lunches. Let them pick the type of bread, the vegetables they would like with the side of dip. Even go as far as letting them assemble that sandwich. Or, if soup is on the menu for the day, give them the option of a bun or crackers. That way they are more likely to eat {and enjoy} their lunch, since they had an active part in deciding the menu.
And, to ease the burden on myself, when a sandwich is made – I make two! Why go through the process again the next day, if you don’t have to. After all, you have everything out for making one anyway! On the days when I have that second sandwich made, I always smile at the fact that I have a ‘night off’ from the prep routine. The same goes for veggies! Always have fresh, already cut up veggies on hand so that you can just grab some and put into a container. Who wants to go through the process of washing, cutting and packaging, each and every single day! Plan ahead and you’ll save yourself time and energy.
Think variety! Even if you kid favors a sandwich everyday, mixing it up by using different bread, wraps, bagels and buns can sure make a difference! I keep a good stock of all kinds of breads in my freezer, and take them out as needed {or requested}. That way I spend less time at the grocer, yet still gives plenty of options when it comes to a different take on a tried and true favorite!
To kick off the launch of the new Lunchbox Inspirations site, Dempster’s is giving one {Canadian} My Organized Chaos reader a Hamilton-Beach Panini Grill!
To Enter, fill in the form below with your qualifying entries! Good Luck!
I am participating in the Dempster’s Lunch Box Inspirations program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of Dempster’s Canada. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.
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{ 82 comments… read them below or add one }
For my oldest (10) we make a list on the weekend for everyday showing what she wants, that way there is no extra stress in the morning, and I have all the groceries on hand.
I also plan before grocery shopping purchasing any (reasonable) requests, and a list sits on the fridge of what they can pick from for that week.
My school lunch tip is to add special notes and surprises once in a while in my kids lunch bags.
I let my kids help with the grocery shopping, and the making of lunches, so there’s no real surprises. They also bring back all the left overs, so I see what they’ve eaten.
I’ve just started making lunches so I’ll be back to check out everyone’s tips! I’ve been making lunches in the evening to save time in the morning and I usually cook some extra veggies or noodles at dinner to include with her lunch. thanks
I make up say 6 boiled eggs, for the week’s
egg salad sandwichs. This saves time as the mix
is made up complete with mayo, egg s & P
Also, have cut up vegs. in cold water for crunchy
vegs. to add to the lunch box too.
Also, freeze juice boxes the night before, by the
time lunch hr. comes around the drink is nice and
cold and drinkable. Keeps, other foods fresh, too.
Making the lunches in cute animal/flower shapes/designs can help encourage kids to eat their veggies, etc.
My kids like to take turns helping to bake stuff to put in their lunches.
My lunch tip: fill little containers of non-perishable snacks (nuts, raisins, cereal, etc) for the whole week all at once. It really speeds up the lunch box assembly each night, because you just pop them in instead of having to fill them separately each night.
I let my children make out their weekly school lunch menu, we also will make the lunches the night before together and put them in the refrigerator. Buy getting them involved they will be likely to eat everything and no complaining either.
I always make lunches the night before and “try” very hard to include all the food groups.
Pack a lunch the night before then toss in easy snacks the next morning. Thinks like carrots, apples and yogurt!
I pack the lunch the night before.
Pack lunches the night before
oooo my school lunch tip…variety is the key
cucumbers one day, carrots the next…sandwich, wrap, panini (naturally)…etc. nothing worse than feeling like you’re sending the same thing every day.
My school lunch tip is to make sure you’re sending foods that will fill them up and give them an energy boost, not just what fits well into a lunch bag.
It’s been a long time but I made lunch the night before and always put a note in my niece & nephews if I make theirs!
one thing that i find hard is coming up with new things to make for lunches, i dont really have any great tips except that i learned if i get the kids involved in picking out what they want at the store and helping to make it, they are more likely to eat it
staceyx at telus dot net
my lunch tip is to prepare them the night before. Less stress in the mornings
I only make lunches for my spouse and myself. My lunch box tip is to add a little love. Surprise him with a romantic note or a special treat. We usually have left-overs from the night before, which are prepared when the kitchen is being tidied up after dinner. So in the morning it is just grab and go.
Son’s school has no microwave. So I make sure the lunch not require to heat up or still good to eat chilled. Make sure nothing will spoil in matter of hours.
I pack the lunches in the night so everything is ready in the morning..karasceviour at hotmail dot com
We actually always make sandwiches for two days so we’re not having to pull everything together on a nightly basis. Same with packaging things like grapes etc…
I make lunches the night before, sometimes the mornings are very hectic and it’s so much easier to just grab the things that I put together the night before and add to the lunch bag
my son & I make my his lunch together the night before. Since we make it together he is more likely to eat it and since we make it the night before there is no running around in the morning
I make lunch the night before, refrigerate what needs be, make sure the ice paks are in the freezer..everything else goes into the lunch kit. Simple to pack and go the next morning.
I have everything ready the night before, and my son does most of the work, he knows what he wants.
I involve the kids in the lunch making process. They pick what they like within reason.
Thanks for the giveaway
I follow many of the things that you’ve listed in your post. Including your child in the purchasing and making process will make them more interested in actually eating their lunch. I also save weekends for trying new things, that way I know at home if he doesn’t like something (rather than have it return home from school uneaten). I also refer to Canada’s Food Guide to ensure that my son is getting all of the required vitamins and nutrients he needs in a day. It’s a very handy tool!
My lunch tip is to pack it the night before and get your little one to help make it..I sometimes send a little note in it too.
thanks
flower_child_23(at)hotmail(dot)com
my daughter is in preschool and I always try and have her lunch be fun with fun sandwich shapes!
My tip is to get as much ready the night before as possible. The morning goes so much smoother when you are not scrambling.
add special snacks once in awhile to surprise them(small bag chips
yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net
My kids and I would make their lunches together! Its a great way to make them involved and make healthy choices!
nancyrobster at gmail dot com
I have the luxury of time for lunch so my tip is I let my daughter choose what she wants from a limited list on the way home from school each day.
Let the child choose between healthy items. Yellow cheese or white? Crunchy or smooth peanut butter? Apple or banana?
I make lunches the night before
dmkayes@gmail.com
I always have tuna salmon or bolied eggs on hand of easy sandwiches.
Make-ahead! I recently made a batch of Calzones and froze them for a change from the boring sandwich!
justasmalltownmommy at gmail dot com
I make extra for dinner and that goes into the lunchbox.
I freeze the juice boxes and they keep the lunches cool. By lunch they are thawed.
Make something simple. Pack some healthy snacks like fruits and cheese. Kids love cheese.
Unfortunately, I haven’t had much lunchtime success yet this year. I spent last weekend making freezable lunch items (ie, pizza rolls, tuna balls) so that it would make lunch-packing so much easier. My 5 yr. old, however, has only eaten 1 full lunch since school started
I dont really have any good tips,my son is so picky,and only wants bologna sandwiches every day!! I try to get everything ready the night before,and his snacks in his bag.
ksceviour at hotmail dot com
I pack lunches the night before.
I add little sweet notes to my daughter and always a little “sweet” surprise:)
Let them help pick what goes into their lunches!
My school lunch tip is to put “real” juice in a reusable container. Most children can not open their own juice box, this way they are independent and the teacher is not opening 25 juice boxes.
Make it the night before, in the morning its too rushed and tiring.
Hmm, my lunch tip is to use sandwiches boxes so the sandwiches don’t get squished in the lunch bag!
Make the night before and use reusable sandwich containers
If it’s part of a before bed routine, it doesn’t seem so rushed in the morning 
cg_lee121875 at hotmail dot com
I make lunches the night before to save time in the morning. I give my kids choices and I like to leave them a little note.
Lunch tip: I write a little note everyday to remind my little one how important they are to me!
i would love to have a panini grill! Our lunches always have healthy food with one treat to look forward to!
School lunch is always made the night before, so that it helps reduce the morning rush time. I am not awake enough to think hard enough in the morning to make a lunch…lol
One of the best things we find, is a small soup size thermos that my daughter can take heated food in, and it is still warm at lunch time for her.
We have a both a balanced day schedule and a regular schedule around here so, planning snacks is key, I’m finding I have to menu plan for lunch as much as I have to menu plan for dinners lol
Lunch is always made the night before to avoid a rush in the morning!
Make it attractive, I have different shapes for sandwiches and we will make sushi as lunch once a week so that kids have something to look forward to
School lunch tip is asking what the kids would like for lunch so i know they will eat and enly their lunches.
silverneon2000 at yahoo dot com
I have a couple of candy tins that I fill up with sunflower seeds or baby carrots. I also use baby food jars for applesauce and freeze it overnight. Thanks for the giveaway.
Make things that are freezable in bulk to make throwing together a lunch a bit easier (e.g. banana bread, muffins, etc.)
special notes and faves in the lunchbox is my tip
We have a big lidded container that we fill with granola bars and such that makes for an easy grab and go for lunch making, and we try to have everything packed the night before (except for the sammich- cus old sandwhiches are nasty!)
Cookie cutters for sandwiches – girls love them!
I make anything into a kabob! Veggies, fruit, cheese, sandwiches……..as long as it’s on a stick my kids love it!
I prepare everything in advance to save time.
I make a menu of lunch choices and everyone picks which lunch they want the next day.
we take turns making all the packed lunches
Everyone makes their own lunches the night before
my kids like when I use a cookie cutter to make their sandwiches into fun shapes
I make sure food doesn’t look boring and there is a treat included (like chocolate or fruit)
I have 1 picky eater & so I make sure to give him a couple options and he chooses what he gets so I know he will eat it.
Having lots of fun containers and a good assortment of different things in small portions.
Pack lunch the night before
School Lunch Tip.
Don’t forget to send a spoon for the yogurt. Make lunch look interesting.
I always froze items like pepperoni sticks, cheese sticks and juice boxes to help keep items cool and fresh until lunch
Make everything the night before!
My tip would be to spend some time on Sunday prepping cheese/veggies/fruits etc. that can easily be put into tupperwares everyday for snacks. A little extra work on the weekend makes it easier during the week.
include a fruit every day!
Biggest tip would have to be pre making the lunches the night before. Saves alot of hassle in the mornings
make lunches the night before and always keep them exciting and full of variety
My tip: Pack it at night…I’m always too tired to think in the morning…I packed my hubby’s one morning: Soup and crackers. He got soup, graham crackers (instead of saltines) and a fork to eat it with…