Fun Lunbox Ideas

For us, school begins the day AFTER Labor Day so we're still planning and preparing for the big day. This includes putting together some fun, fast, and easy lunch ideas. J-Man enjoys eating at school but he also likes taking his own lunch too.

First is the gear.
As opposed to buying a new lunchbox, either reuse last year's (if it's in good shape) or consider making one as unique as your kid. If properly made, it will work better than than a store bought version. Here's a fabulous lunch sack tutorial which can be customized for girls or boys in a variety of sizes. Make it even more special by printing their name on printable fabric and stitching it in place. (Make it even easier and use printable fabric with iron-on adhesive). I plan to make J-Man's out of denim, trimmed and lined with camo material embellished with easy felt applique.

Save water bottles for reuse. Make a coordinating sandwich wrapper for sandwich and desserts. Here's a fabulous tutorial from Make n Take's.

So now what to put in it?
Sandwiches are a classic lunchbox meal. Make it special with a fun presentation.

• Cut the crusts off then into triangles or cookie cutter shapes.
  
• Flatten the bread with a rolling pin (or your hands), add filling (ham, cheese, peanut butter, etc), then roll it up. Slice in half for fun "sushi" style sandwiches.
  
• Make a day ahead style. Use pie dough (either home made or store bought), cut into oversized squares or circles, place ham, cheese, etc on half the dough, flip the other half over then brush edges with water. Press and seal with fingers. Either bake or deep fry till golden. If baking, cut a slit in the top to vent. Add fruit, jam, or preserves for a fantastic dessert-be on the look out for fried pie recipes coming soon!

Sliced raw veggies or fruit, homemade baked chips and applesauce are healthier side dishes than traditional chips. Create a week's worth of 100 calorie packs on the weekends for even faster and healthier lunch options. Drinks do double duty. I reuse empty water bottles by filling them less than half way, freezing them, then filling the rest of the way with tap water. This helps keep J-Man's lunch cold and provides a tasty drink when he mixes in the Kool-aid or lemonade singles.

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