Summer is winding down and school bells will soon be ringing. That means it’s time, once again, to brainstorm delicious, nutritious lunch ideas for your star student. Check out these simple, satisfying suggestions to beat lunch box boredom and promote productivity throughout the afternoon.
Think beyond the sandwich. If your son or daughter loves PB&J or turkey on rye, more power to you! But if your kindergartner-turned-culinary critic shudders at the idea of yet another sandwich, check out these exciting alternatives, guaranteed to please even the pickiest of palates:
- Chef’s salad with turkey, ham, cheese and hardboiled eggs
- Pretzel kabobs from Parents.com
- Soup or chili in a thermos
- Pasta and broccoli salad from MarthaStewart.com
- Grilled chicken tacos with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream and tortillas
- Pizza scrolls from Food.com
- Greek salad wrap with grilled chicken, veggies, feta cheese and tzatziki sauce
Choose sides that shine. Some days, it takes a little extra fuel to make it to the dismissal bell. That’s where sides (a.k.a. snacks) come in. A granola bar will power up your kiddo in a pinch, but the following fun and filling foods are sure to liven up your child’s mid-day meal:
- Chocolate banana pops from domesticfits.com
- Fruit and/or pretzel sticks with Greek yogurt dip
- Fruit slices with cinnamon cream cheese dip from 5minutesformom.com
- Pita chips with hummus
- Apple cookies from rachelschultz.com
- Celery sticks stuffed with cream cheese and raisins
End on a sweet note. For many kids (and grown-ups!), dessert is the most anticipated part of the meal. The following treats are sure to satisfy your child’s sweet tooth:
- Whole wheat sugar cookies from Good Housekeeping
- Jello or rice pudding
- Fruit leather from allrecipes.com
- Graham crackers with peanut butter or marshmallow fluff
- Kool-Aid meringue cookies from smartschoolhouse.com
- Fruit roll sushi from mrfood.com
Here are some additional ways to ensure your son or daughter won’t be singing the lunch box blues this school year:
- Encourage your child to help with meal planning, shopping, preparation and packing
- Use cookie cutters to cut bread, cheese and fruit into fun shapes
- Use edible ink markers like these to write a note on a piece of fruit
- Transform your child’s lunch into a work of art, like this one from happyherbivore.com
- Pop in for a surprise lunch visit, if your child’s school allows
Keep following our blog for more delicious recipes and homeowner resources.