Back-to-School Lunchbox Ideas For the Busy Family

If your family falls into the 40% of U.S. children who bring their lunch to school, you might find yourself standing in the kitchen on any morning wondering, “What am I going to make for my kid’s lunch today?”

Most families start the year strong, packing lunches that are as nutritionally balanced as they are adorable! However, the motivation to keep that going can run dry quickly, especially once extracurricular activities ramp up. From daycare to grade school to homeschool, we've found some of the best lunchbox ideas and compiled a quick guide for you!

Our Quick Guide

Packing a nutritious and satisfying lunch for your child can be a daily challenge, but it’s essential for ensuring they have the energy and focus they need throughout the school day.

1. A well-balanced lunch should include a variety of food groups like veggies, fruits, whole grains, and protein, which help them stay full until their next snack.

2. It's also important to remember that lunch periods are often short, and kids love to chat, so packing foods that are easy to eat is key.

3. Involving your child in the process by choosing foods they enjoy can increase the likelihood that they’ll eat what you pack.

4. Include a Fun Surprise: Slip in a small note or a fun sticker to brighten your child’s day and make lunchtime more enjoyable. This small gesture can add a bit of excitement and comfort, especially if they’re having a tough day.

5. Save time in the mornings by prepping as much lunch as possible the night before. Cutting fruits, packing snacks, and organizing containers ahead of time can make the morning routine smoother and less stressful. Or consider packing leftover dinner as lunch for the next day!

6. Finally, label any reusable items to ensure they return home even if they get lost at school.

Keep It Simple

You want it to be healthy… and you want it to be quick! While most kids have their “go-to’s,” getting stuck in a rut can be easy! Offering different types of food helps our children get the nutrients they need from each of the five food groups and encourages them to try new foods!

It may seem daunting, but it isn’t rocket science. Despite what Instagram and Pinterest tell you, you don’t have to spend an hour in the kitchen creating elaborate scenes or chopping fruit into cute shapes (but if that’s your jam, we LOVE to see it! Get it, girl). The goal is to get as many of the 5 food groups as possible into that lunchbox as often as possible. That means:

Fruits: choose what your child enjoys; the more color, the better
Vegetables: same as fruits, choose what your child will eat
Protein: anything from lean meat, beans, nuts, tofu, fish, etc.
Grains: aim for whole grains, like whole wheat bread or tortillas, quinoa, or rice
Dairy: milk (cow milk or an alternative), yogurt, and cheese are all great options.

Need a Lunchbox?

While every kiddo will have a preference, we have a few faves that seem to come up time and time again. We like these because they're easy to wash, fit a good amount of food, and are sustainable. You can use the links below to purchase on Amazon or buy directly through the retailer's websites.

The OmieBox Bento Box for Kids is a BPA-free lunchbox with multiple compartments, including a removable thermos to keep hot foods nice and warm! We also love that the rubber seals are all removable, so you can wash them thoroughly every day. Plus, if the seals get worn or damaged, you can purchase replacement seals instead of throwing the whole box out. Comes in six colors and is available on amazon or through their website.

PlanetBox is the priciest option on the list, but the cult-following tells us that it's worth the price tag. 5 compartments to make packing a variety of foods easy with separation, plus its dishwasher safe and free from lead, PVC, and BPA. These are perfect for our families looking for a true, sustainable option.

Keep Learning

Happiness is Homemade has an entire post on "non-sandwich" lunchbox ideas, with things like pizza pancakes, chicken meatballs, and corndog muffins! This is a great starting place for kiddos who don't fancy a sandwich in their lunchbox, as this is a staple for many parents.

BuzzFeed has a list of 18 Easy and Delicious School Lunchbox Ideas that has some fresh ideas with recipes, such as pesto pasta and frittata sandwiches.

@KidsHealthyLunchBox on Instagram also has many ideas, including ways to store lunchboxes and accessories to help streamline your process.

FIT4MOM

https://fit4mom.com/blog/back-to-school-lunchbox-ideas-for-the-busy-family

FIT4MOM Oak Park River Forest offers fitness classes for women in all stages of motherhood, including prenatal, stroller & moms only classes. Your first class is free! Click here to try a class.