Tips for Packing School Lunches

You don’t have to cut your child’s sandwiches into hearts and stars (unless you’re into that - kudos to you for the effort!) Just a simple sandwich, some fruit and a snack is perfect. Try to avoid too much processed foods (such as lollies, chips and so on) as your child will gravitate to them first and not eat the rest.

The main rule of thumb is provide your child with food they are used to, and which you know they will eat. Now may not be the time to try the hummus with carrot sticks if this is not what they are used to! The amount of times I have watched children throw the entire contents of their lunch box in the bin because they don’t like it! Encourage your child to put whatever they don’t like back in their lunch box so that you know not to bother packing that again.

Some other general lunchbox tips are:

·       Write your child’s name on their lunch box, water bottle and any other containers.

·       Pack food that is easy to open, easy to eat and not messy.

·       Use insulated lunch boxes or cooler bags (remember, school bags often spend hours sitting in the sun).

·       Pack a water bottle for your child each day, and remind them that they can also get water from the taps or bubblers throughout the day.

·       Choose a lunch box that has an easy-to-open (and close) lid and is sturdy enough to endure every day wear and tear. We love this style.

Give your child ownership of their belongings by encouraging them to pick their new lunch box, drink bottle, school bag and stationery. They will remember and be more aware of what belongs to them if they chose the items themselves.

A common Kindergarten kid problem regarding food is that they often eat all of their food in one go. Then, they come to the teacher saying they have no food for the next break. You can help your child with this by practising eating at recess and lunch time. Have your child eat out of their lunch box at these times, so they can practice using all the compartments. Discuss what to eat and when.

I recommend a separate box for recess and lunch. This outlines to your child what they should be eating during this period (note: some schools ‘flip’ their breaks so the longer lunch break is earlier in the day).

If you live in a hot area, an insulated lunch bag with a flat ice pack is a great option to keep their lunch box cool. We love this style .

Many schools often participate in ‘Crunch and Sip’. This is where your child will be able to bring in a piece of fruit (for example an apple) and a bottle of water for a break mid morning. It can often be a long time since a child has had breakfast so this break helps to refuel your child in the morning.

For more school advice and tips grab a copy of our ebook.