With three children in school, I make a whole bunch of lunches. But my kids lunches aren’t the lunches I remember as a child. Thanks to all forms of social media, especially you, Ms. Pinterest, the bar is set much higher for the lunchrooms of today. Here are some tips for how to pack a lunchbox kids will love.
This blog post is sponsored by Mott’s and SocialMoms. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own.
A few years ago, I spent hours planning and creating my kid’s lunches. I bought countless supplies. In fact, I have a whole cabinet dedicated to my lunch-making supplies.
It’s a bit insane, I know. I have cookie cutters, egg molds, silicones in all shapes and sizes, condiment containers, food picks, sprinkles (for yogurt and applesauce), alphabet and number cutters, sandwich shapes, seaweed punches…oh, and the lunchboxes. The boxes I use most often are in this cabinet (bottom shelf) but the others are in a separate cabinet. So I guess I really have more than one cabinet full of lunch-making supplies. (We won’t even talk about the money that went to purchasing all these supplies.)
When I first started this lunch-making journey (also known as how to pack a lunchbox kids will love), everything had to be perfect and just right. I bought special lunch bags so that the lunchboxes would lay flat and not tilt to the side when the kids carried them. I had lessons on how to properly remove the lunchboxes from the bag and taught them how to open those lunchboxes without tilting them, in even the slightest degree. After they had successfully finished Opening the Lunchbox 101, they had to take What NOT to Throw Away 101. Because that stuff isn’t cheap, y’all.
While my sons enjoyed star-shaped cucumbers and cheese sticks with a Star Wars ring around it, my daughter enjoyed butterfly shaped deli meat and cheese, with flower-shaped cantaloupe and watermelon. There were days when it would literally take me over an hour to make their lunches. That didn’t include the time for clean-up the day of and washing everything when they brought it home.
Pure craziness, I tell ya!
It got old really fast, but I felt like I had to keep up because all their teachers would rave about their lunches. I mean, how devastating would it be to my children if they opened their lunchboxes and found a plain jane peanut butter and jelly sandwich instead of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle peanut butter and jelly sandwich fully outfitted in a eye mask made out of a fruit roll-up?
It wasn’t nearly as devastating as I thought it be, thankfully. I’ve come to realize that all they care about is food. When they open their lunchboxes and see food, it’s a good day.
Pack a Lunchbox Kids Will Love
I still use the bento-style lunchboxes we have, but I don’t spend nearly the amount of time I used to while making their lunches for school. Basically, I have just one rule; I try to incorporate all the food groups into the lunchboxes. I don’t succeed each day, but for the most part, they get a very balanced lunch.
When it comes to being able to pack a lunchbox kids will love, I’ve found that packing familiar items that they already know and love is key. Since my kids love applesauce, the Mott’s® Snack & Go applesauce pouches work perfectly for us. It’s the same applesauce we already love and trust, the packaging is perfect for families on the go, and it’s a fun, convenient way for my kids to get real fruit.
Mott’s® Snack & Go applesauce pouches are available in three fun, fruity flavors; Original (excellent source of vitamin C), Natural (excellent source of vitamin C, no added sugar) and Strawberry (excellent source of Vitamin C, no added sugar). I love using these in my kids lunchboxes and I carry them around when we are out and about, in case they need a quick snack. Especially since we are spending so much time at the ballpark lately.
And those concession stand prices are ridiculous!
I try my hardest to ensure that my children eat a balanced diet while still giving them the foods they love most. At the end of our busy days, they’re happy, and I’m happy. I can live with that.
What do you pack in your child’s lunch?
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
Well, now I feel pretty lame. I just pack them stuff, I don’t do anything fancy with it. I might have to give it a go after seeing this, though.
Avry says
Holy cow you are impressive with your organization of lunches! I agree the concessions are pricey! Way to be on top of the game. 🙂
Michele says
No kids so no lunchbox angst. When did all this start–shapes trying to makelunch look “pretty? We had metal lunch boxes where some type of sandwich and maybe a piece of fruit was placed. Sometimes there were even a few cookies –milk or juice we bought in the cafeteria–or there was a thermos filled with something or another! Yeah-we swapped lunches on occasion-but generally we ate what we had and liked it!
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
LOL, I was lucky that my mom remembered to pack me a drink back in the day. In my wonder woman lunch box 😉
Xenia @ Thanks, Mail Carrier says
Wow, that is a super impressive lunchbox-packing cabinet! My kids definitely don’t get anything special like that (and, in fact, do a large majority of the packing themselves), but I’m with you on just aiming for a balanced meal. We love Mott’s and it often ends up in there!
LydiaF says
I would have totally been the bento box mom…and my son would have lost all the accessories, including the box within a week.
Jeannette says
These are some fabulous lunch ideas! My little guy is pretty pick but as long as he has Mott’s in his lunch box, he’s happy!
Michelle F. says
Those are some great ideas. Love that the applesauce comes in on the go pouches.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
I don’t pack their lunches anymore, but when I did, it was always things that wouldn’t spill or make a mess. I made lots of sandwiches and packed lots of baby carrots over the years!
LyndaS says
Unfortunately, my son’s lunch box foods aren’t as cool as yours. Your lunch boxes look great! My son is in middle school and refuses to buy his lunch, so he usually takes a sandwich, a bottle of water, chips, and either some yogurt or olives. I like the idea of using the squeezable Mott’s – no utensils required. Just today I forgot to put a SPOON in the lunchbox for my son’s yogurt.
Jeanine says
This is awesome. I’m not going to lie I am JEALOUS of your cupboard. That is amazing. I loved doing fun and creative lunches when my kids went to school!
Robin Gagnon says
My daughter’s lunch isn’t so neatly packed, but her lunch bag is like a giant purse stuffed full of different stuff. I like my girl to have her options…lol
Pam says
My kids love those squeeze applesauce. We always take them on vacation.
Jaime says
Applesauce pouches are a staple in my son’s lunches. He also gets cheese, a fruit (usually apple slices) and a sandwich.
Stefany says
We eat the Mott’s all the time! My kids love it in school lunches, snacks, and on the go.
Debra says
My kids like anything “fun” in their lunchbox. I like to cut their sandwiches out into different shapes. My daughter loves applesauce, she has one in her bag practically everyday.
Catherine S says
This looks like a great healthy lunch. The Applesauce pouches are a terrific idea.
Christi says
Our kids LOVE the Mott’s applesauce pouches – we get them every single week to include in lunches!
Theresa says
My kids are so boring and always request pb&j! I wonder if they would appreciate it if I shook things up and make one like yours? lol
Stephanie of The TipToe Fairy says
Wow, I don’t know where I’d put all that to make lunches, lol. But, we do love Mott’s, even mom!
Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert says
I love your prep cabinet! Mine aren’t school age yet, but I hope to have the same ideas!
Jennifer H says
Oh my – you’re not messing around with that stocked cabinet!! I agree, I make sure my kids lunch is well balanced, just not so fancy most days. 🙂
Jason Nail says
That’s fun stuff. I used to leave notes in my son’s lunchbox, like “you are adopted”, or “I will get you when you get home” fun things like that. jk
Scott says
I think I’m more impressed by those cute containers! They look like they make the job super-easy!
Kelsey Apley says
What fun lunch idea’s and I love the little containers! I love fun things like this, and those pouches look tasty!
Grace Hodgin says
I think sometimes as parents we forget the rule that “presentation is everything’ I did food garnishing when my kids were young to entice them to eat. I love all these great ideas and how exciting to open a lunch box to one of these.
Christie says
I’m only packing a lunch for 1 right now and am having difficulties keeping up! Motss sounds like a perfect addition to a lunch
Rosey says
We like Mott’s. I pack every day for the kids, and these will definitely be a future addition to their lunchboxes.
Chrystal @ YUM eating says
Kiddo loves the Motts go packs. She loves her applesauce and would get grumpy when I wouldnt let her eat the regular packs in my car.
Ann Bacciaglia says
When my kids were little i always tried to make fun lunches for them. Mott’s makes great snacks for lunch boxes.
Anne says
Girl, you are hard core! My kids are all big, but I still by applesauce in pouches. My kids say they eat it ironically, but I know they just like applesauce.
jasmine says
All of my boys love apple sauce. My kids love when I put these in their in there lunch boxes.
Raijean says
Now that’s how you do lunch, my son is all about Mott’s.
Valerie Remy-Milora says
That video is hilarious! I out time and effort in to pre;paring wholesome balanced meals more than presentation, foods my girls enjoy at home. Those often require re-heating and lately the girls, especially my little one, has been begging for simple meals she can eat without any fanfare… We love pouched fruit sauces of all sorts. Yum!
Ashley says
I love how simple it is and yet the kids totally love it. I also tend to get carried away with the lunch making!
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly says
You definitely take lunch packing seriously! Although of course I am digging the butterfly shaped deli meat and cheeses of course! LOL 🙂
Beth@FrugalFroggie says
When I sent my son to school the first week of school, I sent a perfect well-balanced lunch and most of the food came home. Now I just send him with a sandwich and a treat.
Danielle K says
This video is hilarious! I am always so impressed with the cool lunches like that, but I imagine they take forever. We usually do simple things like an applesauce pouch and cheese and crackers in lunches 🙂
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos says
If you don’t pack a lunch kids love, it all comes back – UGH! I try and pack a mix of all the food groups but focus on the carbs and fruits. But, my kids hate a lot of fruits that are season right now – so Motts is my saviour!
Amanda says
We love Mott’s! My son has a applesauce in his lunch (sometimes 2 or 3) every day.
Mama to 5 BLessings says
You are an amazing mom – look at that cabinet with all kinds of great gadgets! My kids love these applesauces.
Cinny says
What fun lunch boxes! I love how you have a bit of everything in it!
Camesha | Mama Motivator says
Fun lunch boxes! I may try them!
Your lunch cabinet puts me to shame!!!
valerie g says
we love motts, they have the best snacks!! love it.