Some kids are perfectly happy with the same lunch and same contents every day. I wish my kids were like that. Instead, I have to make sure I make their lunches fun and different every day...or they get bored! So I'm a bit of an expert at making school lunches more fun. Here's 10 simple ways to make school lunches more fun that are tried and tested!
This article is part of the 2017 Aussie Back to School Blog Hop! Please read the articles here by some wonderful Australian Bloggers! You will find out how the first time school mums are feeling, great lunch box ideas as well as suggestions for those who don't like crunch and sip!
So let's go, 10 simple ways to make school lunches more fun!
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Find a lunchbox your kids love.
Make sure you choose a lunchbox your kids like and are happy with using. Buy something too babyish and they won't want to use it, get something too difficult to open and they'll dread lunchtimes. Make sure whatever you choose that it fits with the style of lunch your kids love. If you need help with choosing a lunchbox, check out my 2017 lunchbox review. -
Variety is the spice of life.
Trying and switch your "main item" regularly. By main item I mean the sandwich or wrap or whatever it is that is the main part of their lunch. We have sushi, rice paper rolls, bread sushi, scrolls, mini quiches, egg wraps, all sorts of things. I find the more I switch items around, the more likely they are to enjoy them. Making freezer friendly things such as scrolls etc means you've always got something on hand and that running out of bread isn't a drama! -
Have some fun with food picks.
One of the things that has been a key convincer for my kids with lunches has been when I started using food picks. They are the easy way to theme a lunchbox and make it more fun. There are lots of fun ones available that can help to make a more appealing. They can have a practical uses too, securing wraps, holding foods together. -
Make shapes.
Having fun with cutters, either with fruit and veg or with ham, cheese or even sandwiches helps to make lunch more interesting. We do rounds of carrot cut with cutters and insert cucumber in the centre to have a bit of fun with fruit and veg. -
Add a dip.
It's hard when your child doesn't like fruit and veg, but one of the things I have found indispensable is adding a dip! Whether it is savoury like hummus or tzatziki or sweet like yoghurt with vanilla and honey, dipping something makes it immediately more fun! My kids love dipping! -
Leave a note.
You can buy prewritten lunchnotes that go in the lunchbox and mean that the kids get a little message from you, or you can write your own. I love to write on bananas with a skewer as it turns brown by crunch and sip time and looks really cute! I've even written sight words on them! -
Let the kids help out.
Get your kids to help with preparing items for their lunchbox, whether it's baking on the weekend or helping chop fruit and veg in the morning, either way, it is a fun activity and it also helps get stuff done. My daughter is very proud of her lunch when she has made stuff herself! She loves to make these lunchbox pizzas on the weekend! -
Pop in a healthy treat.
Whether it's a muesli bar, popcorn, a little cupcake, putting a healthy treat in the lunchbox is a sure fire way to make it more fun! There are heaps of homemade treats which are healthier than their store bought alternatives, but still look like fun! We love these no bake muesli bars at Kidgredients.
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Make a rainbow.
The more colour that's in a lunchbox, the more inviting it looks. I know this for a fact. It gives a "wow" factor to lunches that kids love. Even if we look at this from a purely statistical stand point, the photos of lunches I put on instagram with a lot of colour in them, get a lot more likes! You don't need to use artificial colours to do this though, look for bright fun fruits, like kiwi, blueberries, strawberries and rockmelon. -
Ask your kids what they want.
I think the most fun that can be had with a lunchbox, is opening it to find exactly what you want, so take the time to chat to your kids and genuinely ask them what they want in their lunchbox! You don't have to submit to all their demands, but it means you will have a better idea of what they want and they will be happier when they open their lunchbox.
This article is part of the 2017 Aussie Back to School Blog Hop! Read the “back to school” articles here by some wonderful Australian Bloggers. You will find out how the first time school mums are feeling, tips for special needs parents, great lunch box ideas as well as suggestions for those who don't like crunch and sip.
Eva @ The Multitasking Woman says
I seriously needed to read this right now! I'm just about to make my way into the kitchen to prepare dinners and lunches. It's my first time in over two years putting together a lunchbox as my son has always attended a kindy/daycare that provided meals. I"m so nervous, also because he's a very fussy eater and would not eat 75% of what you have pictured so I have to be really creative. I"m going to look at your lunchbox pizza recipe and healthy museli bars though!
Kylie says
Good luck Eva!
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
I love these ideas, I'm actually looking forward to coming up with fun school lunches each day for my little guy - although I'm sure that may change!
Anna @ Kids Play Space says
Awesome ideas here! thank you!!! What is the brand of your lunch box in the photos? It looks great! (we already have one to start with, but I don't mind the idea of a 2nd one - if it fits in his cool bag!
Kylie says
In a lot of the photos it's a yumbox!
eenie meenie miney mum says
oh my GOODNESS! these lunch boxes look amazing! I am having severe lunch making anxiety lol because this variety is by far superior to the crappy routine sandwich and fruit i presented my kids daily for their first year at kindy! I've got to up my game now theyre going to school! Such awesome ideas here too!!
Kirsty @ My Home Truths says
You will be proud of me - I've bought new lunch boxes this year with little sealable compartments so I can reduce waste and try out some of your strategies. Although, I already know my son will want to stick with his tried and tested lunches!!!!
Lauren says
Lots of great suggestions Kylie! You are the lunchbox queen!
Cindy says
Love these lunch suggestions! We have a bento-style box for the first time this year so we will be giving some of these creative ideas a go! Thanks!