10 Tips for Making Those Back-to-School Lunches

School is about to start in the desert, which means it’s time to get back to the regularly scheduled program. Are you ready for bed times, after school activities, making lunches and more?!? Well, I guess whether or not we’re ready, the school year is going to start, so we might as well be as prepared as we can.

Let’s be honest, my kids are not fans of school lunch, so we try to make an effort to get those lunches made. It is nice to know that in case the kids do forget lunch, they have the school lunch as a backup.

Lunch Making Tips

• Chat with your kids about potential lunch ideas

• Turn that discussion into creating a grocery list

• Go grocery shopping with your kids and have them participate in picking out the items from the grocery list.

• Have your kids assist with making their lunches in the evenings to make for an easier morning

• Follow a formula to help make the process even easier… Include a main course , fruits/veggies, snack and a drink. A few combinations…

  • Hummus & crackers, apple, carrots, and string cheese

  • Turkey sandwich, blueberries, cucumber and yogurt

  • Spaghetti (in a thermos) carrots, orange slices and string cheese

• Encourage your kids to choose different colored fruits and veggies in their lunch

• Store lunches in reusable containers

• Include a surprise note in your kids’ lunches. It will make their day, especially when it is unexpected.

• Purchase an insulated lunch box/container to keep cold foods cold and warm foods warm

• Have your kids empty out their lunch boxes when they get home for school, so they aren’t any surprises to be found at a later time.

If you are looking for a little more inspiration, check out my Pinterest board with several lunch ideas. You’ll probably find a few lunch ideas that you’d like for yourself, too. Good luck with getting back into the swing of things and wishing your kids a great school year!