It’s hard to believe it, but summer vacation is nearly over, and the kids are soon going back for another school year. Here are five easy back to school lunch ideas that will make your life much easier.
- Pack the Night Before
Getting the kids ready for school in the morning can be a hectic and stressful time, especially if you’re a working parent. That’s why it’s good to get in the habit of packing the kids’ lunches the night before so that you have one less thing to do in the morning as you try and make sure the your kids are dressed, fed, and prepared for school. - Give ‘Em Leftovers
Don’t have time to make sandwiches? Give the kids leftovers for lunch. If you’re cooking dinner, it’s easy to just make a little extra to send the kids to school with the next day. Just stock up on re-sealable, microwavable containers, and you’re good to go! Not only will you save on time, but you’ll also be sending your kids to school with tasty home-cooked meals, which might otherwise go to waste. - Healthy Food on the Go
Nutritious eating is incredibly important to a child’s education, as it improves concentration, focus, and the ability to retain information. And, as children burn a lot of energy during the day, it’s important to keep quick and easy foods on hand that they or you can grab in a pinch. Help your children to a better education with healthy food on the go. Stock up your fridge with “smart food” that includes lots of easy-to-grab vegetables, fruits, yogurts and juices. - Go for the Classics
Not sure what to pack the kids for lunch? Go for the all-time classics: mac and cheese, sandwiches, spaghetti and meatballs, tacos, etc.! The great thing about classic foods is that you can be as creative as you need to be, substituting one ingredient for another to ensure that your children’s lunches are delicious and nutritious. Plus, if you’re into using seasonal ingredients to cook, the back to school season is a great time to try out some healthier options of these classic foods, such as butternut squash macaroni and cheese. It’s creamy, delicious, and much healthier than the standard mac n’ cheese. You can add in a bit of extra protein to this dish as well, by adding in some pine nuts (if your school allows nuts) or sunflower seeds. - DIY
DIY lunch boxes are a great way to get your kids eating well at school and having fun in the process. Try packing lunches that include DIY taco kits, pizzas, sandwiches, etc. After all, kids love playing with their food: why not give them the chance? Packing DIY food kits for your children will give them a sense of independence, and have them looking forward to lunch.
Bonus Tip – Themes!
Themed lunches are also a great way to get your kids excited about their food: Mexican Mondays, Thai Tuesdays, Weiner Wednesdays – the sky is the limit!