School lunches. The daily grind of figuring out what to pack so your kids will actually eat it, and not just trade it for someone else’s mystery sandwich. And let’s be honest—every morning feels like a race against the clock while you’re juggling breakfast, getting everyone dressed, making sure they haven’t forgotten their homework (again), and praying that your coffee actually stays warm long enough for you to drink it. Packing lunches is a whole other ballgame that requires serious strategy.
I have three kiddos—Jenny (15), Lincoln (11), and Molly (8)—and I’ve learned a few things over the years. Like, I can’t just throw a sad sandwich in there with a sad apple and expect it to go down without a complaint. So here are my top tips for packing school lunches that are actually going to get eaten—and won’t make you want to pull your hair out by noon.
1. Keep it Simple, but Make It Fun
Let’s get real: your kids are never going to eat a salad with quinoa and kale (unless they’re some sort of magical child). But they will eat food that’s fun and easy to handle. Think mini sandwiches, bite-sized fruits, and simple dips. Jenny is all about wraps, so I’ll throw in some turkey and cheese in a tortilla, maybe with a little ranch dressing to dip. Lincoln’s more of a snack guy, so I give him a mix of crackers, cheese cubes, and veggies. And Molly? She’s just happy with anything that’s colorful and doesn’t require too much effort to eat.
2. Use Containers to Your Advantage
I don’t know what magical powers lunch containers hold, but they make my life so much easier. I love having a set of reusable bento-style boxes. You know, the ones with multiple sections so I can separate everything without worrying about it getting soggy or mixed up. If I have to pack leftovers, I’ll use a thermos. It keeps things warm, like pasta or soup, which is a nice change from the usual cold sandwiches. Plus, it makes me feel like I’m winning at lunch packing, even though my kids are probably still trading their grapes for cookies in the cafeteria.
3. Get Your Kids Involved
My kids are way more likely to eat something they had a hand in making. So, every once in a while, I’ll ask them to help out in the lunch prep process. I let Molly spread the peanut butter on her sandwich (with only a little mess), Lincoln assembles his snack packs, and Jenny occasionally takes charge of choosing the fruit. It gets them engaged and gives them a sense of control, which—surprisingly—actually works in my favor. And when they have some say in it, I get fewer complaints. Win-win!
4. Plan Ahead (If You Can)
I’m not always the best at this (hey, we’re all human), but when I do take a few minutes the night before to prep, the mornings go so much smoother. I’ll chop up veggies, portion out snacks, or even assemble sandwiches the night before. The less I have to do when I’m running around trying to get everyone out the door, the better. And if I’ve planned ahead, there’s a better chance that the kids will get something that’s actually good for them, instead of me just throwing whatever’s in the fridge into a lunchbox.
5. Keep Things Interesting
Nobody wants to eat the same thing every day. I try to mix it up and throw in some new ideas now and then. One day it’s taco salad with the dressing on the side; the next, it’s a DIY sandwich kit with deli meat, cheese, and bread to assemble at lunch. If I’m feeling fancy (which, let’s be real, isn’t every day), I might throw in a homemade muffin or a little dessert treat. Jenny loves it when I sneak in a tiny piece of chocolate—small, but it keeps the mood light!
Packing school lunches doesn’t have to be this monumental, stressful task. With a little prep, creativity, and maybe some help from your little ones, you can get the lunch routine down without losing your mind. And while I can’t promise that everyone will eat everything you pack (because let’s face it, kids are unpredictable), at least you can say you tried—and that, my friend, is something to be proud of.