Kahiki's Back to School Lunch Tips

The school lunch. Depending on what is packed, your child’s lunch has the power to make or break their day. That food that has been sitting at the bottom of a backpack all morning will make its appearance to all who are gathered around the lunch table, close friends and fellow classmates. It will be compared to the meal of the classmate across the lunch table on that particular day. There’s no doubt that what you pack plays a large role in your child’s school day. With all that we know about the importance of a healthy lunch, we sure wouldn’t want a lackluster lunch to end up in the trash bin.

At Kahiki, we understand that your busy schedules give you little time to plan perfect daily lunches that will keep your kids happy each day. We know that the deciding factor in determining what makes it into the lunch box is not always the foods that are your child’s favorite but also what is convenient and nutritious. We’ve come up with five back to school lunch tips that will leave both you and your child smiling from the first day of school and on throughout the school year.

1. Skip the mess and keep it simple. It’s hard enough to think of new lunch ideas each day. There’s no reason that you should have to worry about cleaning up a lunch time mess too. Stick with foods that you can easily prepare and that your kids won’t end up wearing by the end of the lunch period.
   
   
2. Ask your child to help with lunch preparation. Two is always better than one. The first few tries might be a little challenging but once you both get the hang of the lunch-making process; you’ll be having fun and packing lunches in record time. This is a great teaching opportunity and it will gives your child the feeling of accomplishment as they begin a new day.
   
   
3. Prepare lunches in advance. Create a weekly lunch schedule on Sunday so that you aren’t spending time rummaging through cupboards at the very last minute. Create a schedule to avoid any last minute trips to the store. Making pre-made bags of veggies or crackers will greatly reduce morning prep time.
   
   
4. TGIF. You’ve worked hard all week and have little energy to make that final lunch. Avoid the stress on Fridays. Leftovers from meals that your child has enjoyed are always great options. Reward your child for their hard work by making something that you know your child loves. Prepare their favorite dish the night before so that it is ready to go the next morning.
   
   
5. Make it fun. Give your child a reason to be excited about lunchtime. Plan themed lunches to keep the kids entertained. Use colored bags and printed napkins. Write a note wishing your son or daughter a great day. Wish them luck on any upcoming tests or projects.

Do you have any lunchtime tips of your own? What’s worked for you? Feel free to leave a comment below.