Kid Friendly Lunch Box Ideas

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Del Monte, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #DelMonteBTS  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV”

The end of summer break is always a sad day around our house. Not only the kids, but Mom has to go back to the daily grind of the school year. No more days around the pool, trips to the park or play dates. Back to school means back to work at my teaching job and at home. One of those jobs is packing lunches for 3. 

Encouraging our kids to eat a healthy breakfast and lunch is important to our family. I came up with a plan (actually, my husband helped) to use kid friendly lunch box ideas to encourage good choices, even when Mom and Dad are not around. Wish me luck,that it works!

Our oldest is entering middle school this year and talk about scary. Kids grow up so fast and the tween years are tough enough without adding all the peer stuff that goes along with middle school {tears}.  Thinking about sending my daughter to middle school has me an emotional wreck. Mean girls, boys, braces, bras; all of it made my own middle school experience a nightmare and I am cringing  just typing it. I know I need to put on my big girl mom jeans and celebrate the back to school milestones, but it’s hard! {more tears}

After big sister heads off to middle school, I get to spend time with my 2 breakfast dates! Seeing these innocent bright smiles is the best way to start the day. Why can’t they stay little forever?  Even if we have to use the car as our breakfast table (No judging) and eat Del Monte Fruit Burst Squeezers or granola bars on the go, we eat breakfast together.

I don’t know about your school, but our school’s lunch time routine seems chaotic to me. It’s always rushed and kid’s don’t get a lot of encouragement to eat their food. I see more food going in the trash cans than I see going in kids mouths. I feel giving kids choices and letting them help pack their lunch gives them control that hopefully encourages them to eat. 

Kid Friendly Lunch Box Ideas

Choosing food in bite size pieces and shapes, will keep the lunch box from turning boring. Anything that can be eaten without silverware will definitely qualify as kid friendly lunch box ideas. Don’t forget to think about your colors. Bright greens, dark orange, blue, red and yellow fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins and minerals that play an  important part in healthy choices. 

Fruit Group

• Fresh Fruit
• 100 %  Juice Boxes
• Del Monte Fruit Cups
• Fruit Burst Squeezers
• Raisins

Veggie Group

• Cucumber Slices
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Celery Sticks
• Baby Carrots
• Chick Peas
• Black Beans
• Cold Mixed Veggies
• Pickles
• Pepper Strips

Dairy Group

• Cheese (shredded, string, chunks, slices)
• Yogurt
• Cottage Cheese
• Pudding
• Milk

Grain Group

• Whole Grain Crackers
• Bread (cut in fun shapes)
• Tortillas
• Croutons
• Bread Sticks
• Dinner Rolls
• Tortilla Chips
• Pretzels
• Cereal
• Rice

Protein Group

• Chicken (chunks, strips, salad)
• Peanut Butter (our school still allows nuts)
• Mixed Nuts
• Eggs (Hard boiled, salad, sandwiches)
• Tortilla Wraps (add favorite fillings)
• Lettuce Wraps (add favorite fillings)
• Tuna Salad
• Cold Pizza
• Hummus
• Beans 

After you establish a few favorites, lunch box packing will be a joy! Don’t forget you are the role model, so make sure you pack yourself a healthy lunch while your at it. What kinds of foods do you include in your families healthy lunch box choices?

Kiddo #3  decided to be camera shy when I tried to take his first day of school picture.  I need a picture to take advantage of the promotion at select Super Walmart Stores where you can receive a FREE Back to School 5 x 7 print. (Picture is 4 x 6 and will be printed on special Back to School 5 x 7 paper). All you need to do is bring in a photo or sync one from your phone or storage device and the print is yours. NO purchase necessary. 

If you participate in the free back to school photo offer you will receive $1 off the purchase of (2) Del Monte 4-pack Fruit Cups or (2) Fruit Burst Squeezers coupon insert in your envelope. This special offer is  available from 8/1 to 9/13 or while supplies last.

 How great is that? FREE Back to School Print and a money saving coupon to help you stock up on your kid friendly lunch box ideas.

Do you print the kid’s first day of school photos or are they trapped in your phone?