February is that time of year in our house that we start to get the blues. Winter blues, school blues, lunchbox blues…you name it and we likely have the blues about it. Basically things are getting old and boring and we long for the vibrant joy of spring and summer but we know they are still awhile off. My kid’s lunch boxes have been on repeat lately (there is nothing wrong with that). What I need is a little inspiration (i.e. a kick in the pants) to get out of a rut. Here are five ideas (including free printables) to help cure the lunchbox blues and make lunch fun and healthy for your kiddos (while still easy and quick for you)!
1. Dress-up the Drink: Most days I send my kids water in their lunch (in a leakproof thermos bottle). I do this because one, water is good for them and two, I worry they don’t get enough water through out the day despite water breaks and school drinking fountains. Children ages 3-8 should be getting 32-40 ounces of water per day minimum. That said sometimes a fun drink in the lunchbox can be a nice surprise. Two healthy recipes that I pack from time to time are smoothies or homemade fruit water!
2. Enlist Help: Ask your kiddos to help pack their lunch – or at least help come up with ideas of what to pack. My kids love to help pack lunches and often come up with creative ideas I never would have thought of. Here is a fun printable you can use for ideas. Kids love to circle their favorite foods.
3. Brunch: Breakfast for lunch can be a fun twist. Pack some warm scrambled eggs in a thermos or make a PB&J on waffles. Breakfast in the lunchbox is always a winner at our house.
4. Restaurant Re-do: Think of your child’s favorite restaurant food and make a healthy re-do to pack in a lunchbox. My kids love it when I pack them homemade mac & cheese!
5. Leave a Little Note: Include a little note in the lunchbox every once in awhile. I find no matter how boring the lunch is if there is a note my kids somehow think it was the greatest lunch ever. Here is a fun printable of lunchbox notes!
For more lunchbox ideas check out some of the lunches I have packed over the last few years HERE.
Love the printables. This will be a big help.
Where did you get that lunchbox? Love it!
I did an Internet search, I think I found it.
http://planetbox.com/products/rover
Nicole – It’s a planetbox! Definitely our favorite:) http://planetbox.com/products/rover