Kids love the summer menu; watermelon on the porch, grilling out, and picnics make it all memorable.
Now that the season has ended, we all have to switch gears to get back into school mode. That means packing lunches again.
Don’t think that you have to go back to boring sandwiches and a bag of chips just because you are on a schedule.
Get creative, and make the school lunches fun for you and your kids with inventive combinations that keep mealtime spirits high.
You don’t have to spend a fortune on fancy lunch boxes, or an hour trying to carve out fruit dragons to get it done either.
Here are some practical ideas for fun lunchbox delights that you can mix and match to create a meal that your kids look forward to.
1. Peanut butter and jelly energy balls
This recipe is a fun twist on the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich that we all have grown up loving.
The amazing thing about it too is that it is easily made gluten-free or peanut-free if you have a child with allergies.
Don’t be surprised if you can’t help but to pop a few in your mouth once you taste these!
Ingredients:
- ¾ c. old fashion oats. Make sure they are gluten-free if you have dietary restrictions.
- ⅓ c. almonds chopped up or walnuts
- 1 Tbsp. ground flaxseed (optional)
- ⅓ c. roughly chopped (pitted) dates
- 3 Tbsp. Chia seeds
- ½ c. Peanut butter or almond butter if you have a peanut allergy
- 1 Tbsp. Maple syrup
- 3 Tbsp. Sugar if you want it sweeter
Put all the ingredients in a food processor, form into balls and stick them in the lunchbox. You can keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, or freezer.
Add your child’s favorite jelly on the side for dipping. Carrots and raisins stuck in the lunchbox makes sure they are getting their veggies in.
2. Crunchy apple peanut butter wrap
This recipe is adapted from The Creative Bite and is a great idea that is fast, nutritious, and delicious.
It’s likely that your student will think that this school lunch is more of a treat than a health food.
Ingredients:
- Whole wheat wrap
- Nut butter
- Granola
- Apples
Put nut butter, granola, and sliced apples on the wrap and roll it up. You can use peanut butter or almond butter. Keep the skin on the apples for added fiber and nutrition as well.
Any type of granola will do, but some with little bits of nuts and chocolate goes great with the apples and nut butter. Add yogurt and cucumber slices to their box to create a balanced meal.
3. Hummus wrap
These wraps are packed with nutrition and are colorful, making them appealing to kids.
Ingredients:
- Whole wheat wrap
- Hummus, any flavor will do
- Cheddar cheese
- Shredded lettuce
Put hummus, cheese, and lettuce on the wrap, roll up, and then slice into pinwheels. Laying the pinwheels on their side in the lunchbox lets you see all the colorful ingredients.
Add some homemade trail mix on the side, made with your child’s favorite nuts, dried fruit, and seeds. If you need a bulkier mix you can add crackers.
4. Pizza rolls
What kid doesn’t love pizza? Opening their lunchbox and seeing one of their favorite dinners in bite-size sensations will be sure to uplift any kid suffering from the end of summer blues.
Ingredients:
- Whole wheat wrap
- Pasta sauce
- Cheese stick
Put pasta sauce and cheese stick on the wrap and roll up. Cut up in pinwheels and lay them on their side in the lunchbox.
A small salad of shredded lettuce, ranch, and diced tomatoes pairs perfectly with this mini Italian meal.
5. Heart sandwich
Okay, so I know we mentioned no dragon-shaped fruit, but a heart-shaped sandwich is much simpler and will give your child a afternoon pick-me-up.
Use a deli slice combination, peanut butter and jelly, or hummus sandwich and then cut it into a heart shape.
To add tons of amino acids make a sweet avocado pudding for the side with simple ingredients in the food processor.
- 2 Large Avocados
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup milk, or milk alternative like almond milk
- ½ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1/8 tsp Salt
This mixture once blended in the food processor will taste exactly like the chocolate pudding from the cups, but with ingredients you are not ashamed to feed your children.
6. Cucumber hummus bites
This tasty way to dress up the common cucumber is adapted from a recipe found on The Creative Bite.
It looks a bit fancy, so it will make your child feel special and like they are trying something classy and new.
Ingredients:
- Cucumber rounds
- Hummus
- Tomato
- Feta cheese
Top the cucumber rounds with hummus and then add diced tomato. Sprinkle feta cheese on top and place lined up in a food container.
Pita bread tastes great with this vegetable based lunch. Some dark chocolate chips for dessert will end the culinary experience well for your little man, but we can’t promise he won’t eat that first.
Try all of these new and exciting recipes to expand your children’s lunch repertoire. You may find new foods that they love and just didn’t know it.
Make mealtime fun again, and forgo the old and boring, for the new and tasty.
After a summer of water parks and eating out, you will need something to keep the kids happy, healthy and on track for their next summer growth spurt.
(h/t Mommy Underground)