Healthy and fun lunches for kids

How to give kids healthy lunches.  It’s hard to come up with ideas of what to eat besides the same boring old thing  —  and my family are not picky eaters.  Part of my problem was not taking the time to think about what foods would be great for lunch ahead of time.  It’s so much easier to operate on autopilot, rushing through the grocery store to end up with the same things in the cart every week.  Grabbing whatever came to hand in the refrigerator.  Shoving it in the bag and the kid out the door.  Would have been much better to set down once before school started and make a plan.  Here’s some great lunch ideas I would have missed without Pinterest. . . .

Make ahead lunches from Five Dinners One Hour.  She  makes up the week’s 10 lunches (two kids) at one time.  Don’t miss the link to her more detailed post on how she packs lunches.  She explains the costs of breaking down larger packages into individual servings with suggestions of material and foods to use.  Quick, easy and cost effective.

For toddler meals at home or for playdates, check out Muffin Tin Meals from Cookie Cutter Lunch.  So cute!  Portions are just right  (and just the same for everyone to end the “he got more” cries).  The meal transports easily.  Finding foods in individual cups is fun and easy for little fingers.

Bento is a Japanese term for a single portion meal, either take out or made at home, according to Wikipedia.  Bento can be very elaborately arranged, sometimes according to themes.  The food is then packed in boxes.  I am fascinated by the adaptations made by American moms.  I love the themes, the cute miniature pieces and the color.  I appreciate the variety of food served to kids for snacks and lunches – things I never considered and maybe you haven’t either.

Stuck for ideas on what foods to purchase for lunch?  Wendolonia has a great list of foods for lunch.  Stop by and download the PDF for your refrigerator.  She also has more information on Bento.

And of course, this great classic for at home lunch – the octopus hotdog!  See it at Making Memories with Your Kids.  Fun to make, but I would not have thought of serving it over shells and cheese with goldfish crackers.  Memorable!

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