How can you prevent boxed lunches from becoming boring? Fill those lunch boxes and bags with some winners, and you’ll have your kids happy to be back to school.
My kids rarely want to buy lunch at school, which is good on the budget, but bad on me because I have to keep coming up with new choices that will keep them interested. Here are some of the favorites in my household that are sure lunchbox winners.
Tortilla Wraps and Salad Wraps
Take a flour tortilla or a large piece of lettuce, add your favorite meat, cheese and vegetables and wrap them up. This idea is quick, easy and nutritious, plus it can use up leftovers.
Homemade Lunch Kits
You know those lunch kits that give you crackers, some round pieces of ham and cheese, a desert and a drink? Make them yourself at home. You can pack in more nutrition for less cost. Use your own crackers (or tortillas or bread) and cut out lunch meat in bit size shapes that kids can then use to make their own lunch, by putting the pieces together in different configurations. Add a snack and a drink to complete the kit.
You can also make pizza kits by toasting English muffin halves and then including containers of sauce, cheese and toppings.
Homemade Treats
Homemade treats such as muffins, banana bread, cookies, cinnamon rolls, brownies, biscuits, homemade kettle corn, and more are always a big hit with kids. They can be cheaply prepared and prepared in advance. Many baked goods can be frozen and then included in the lunch box. They will act as ice packs and be thawed by lunch time, making them a good choice when you have to provide a completely disposable lunch.
Yogurt
Yogurt is one way to get some yummy calcium into the kids. Yogurt tubes are a favorite and can be frozen, although they tend to be on the expensive side. Make your own if you have a food sealer, or just buy large containers of yogurt and divided it into reusable cup sized containers.
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