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Ok… let’s face it – by this time of year, I am looking for ideas to keep kid lunches from getting boring.   I pack them day in and day out.   Sandwich… check.   Pretzels… check.   Water… check.   Fruit or veggies… check.  That’s about it, every day.   Not too much fun for the packer or the unpacker. 😉  I partnered with Smucker’s to share these seven fun ideas with you today.

A child holding a halved orange in front of his eyes with text above him.

1. Use Cookie cutters to cut fruit:
 My friend Liz makes these adorable kabobs with fruit, but you could also just cut the fruit & put it right into a little tupperware container for the kids to take in their lunch boxes.  Such a fun idea!

fruit-kabobs-for-kids-cantelope

 

2. Pack an Uncrustables® Sandwich!
Our oldest son loves when I surprise him with an Uncrustables® Sandwiches.   (It’s really so easy, so it’s kind of a win for both of us. lol!!)   He loves them and I just stock up on some of the different kinds that they have (Example: whole wheat and reduced-sugar options, Hazelnut filled Uncrustables® Sandwiches, PB&J’s, PB & Honey) and when I want to surprise him with a fun lunch, I toss one in.

uncrustables-2
They stay frozen, but when you put them into your kids lunches, they are thawed and ready by lunchtime.   (In the meantime, it’s like having a mini-ice pack in there, because it keeps the other food cold, too.)

uncrustables

 

3. Make your own go-gurts (a healthy version!). Or make a yogurt smoothie. There are so many healthy yogurts available today from greek yogurt packed with protein to coconut yogurt. Buy some reusable silicon ice pop containers and make your own yogurt smoothie.
Layer yogurt with some granola or flax meal and minced fresh fruit then freeze. The combinations are endless. Pop them in a lunchbox and they’ll be ready to go by lunchtime.  Plus they can serve an as extra cold pack!

4. Make a mash-up.
Fruit and vegetable squeezes aren’t just for babies anymore. They are an excellent way to make sure our kids are getting in all those important veggies.   You can pop the into the freezer and get them out in the morning.  Another food item that doubles as an ice pack, but is ready by lunchtime.

6. Write on a banana!
This idea from Indulgy is so fun!   You write a little note on their banana in the morning and by lunchtime is has browned into a secret message.  Our kids will certainly feel like spies decoding a message! 😉
You can even write them a little note about what you will do when they get home from school. ♥

how to make lunches fun!

7- Most importantly… Let your kids help!  Pull some chairs up to the counter and form an assembly line. I have found that kids who are involved in preparing their snacks and meals are more likely to eat them plus this is a great way to teach your children about family responsibilities while making it fun- be warned it can get a bit messy but so much fun!    Let them help you pack lunches every Sunday for the week ahead. 

 

Hi there!

I’m Becky, a former elementary school teacher turned certified child development therapist and blogger. I work at home with my husband and together we are raising (and partially homeschooling) our four children in the Carolinas. I love diet coke, ice cream, and spending time with my family.

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