Lunch Box Ideas

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We are getting ready for school to start next week and I feel like I’m way behind!  I have done most of the back to school shopping, but I still need to purchase a few more things.  My kids are super excited to meet their teachers next week and I’m excited for them to go back to school.  Last year I made my son lunch 90% of the time.  It’s hard to come up with new things to put in his lunch box so he doesn’t get bored with the same PB&J everyday.  Here are a couple of lunch box ideas that I think my son will love!

When I started down the cereal aisle at WalMart I saw a couple of Quaker products I thought would be great for my kids lunch box or even an afternoon snack.

I picked up a variety pack of chewy granola bars.  I knew they would be perfect for my kid’s lunch boxes.  They are chewy, delicious and are better for him option than other possible lunch box treats.

Yes, I could’ve just put a chewy granola bar into their lunch box, but I wanted to keep them motivated throughout the day.  So I created some printable wrappers, perfect for wrapping around the Quaker chewy granola bars.

All you have to do is print, cut and wrap around the bars.  It’s easy to make up a few to have on hand and through into their lunch box.  I’m sharing the printable with you so you can add some happiness to your kids lunch box.  Just click on the link below to be taken to the download page.

Printable Granola Bar Wrappers

Like I said, I tried to change things up so my son didn’t get bored with sandwiches.  One of his favorite things I put in his lunch box are these turkey and cheese roll ups.  I lay out a piece of turkey and either put a slice of cheese or a cheese stick on top of the slice of turkey.

Then I simply roll them up!  2 or 3 turkey and cheese roll ups are perfect for my kids.

I always include some sort of fruit.  Applesauce and fruit cups are always good to add to kids lunch boxes.  Just remember to include a spoon if you have a fruit cup.  I include a drink and chips too.  I try and buy bigger bags of chips and then make my own smaller bags.  I think it saves a little on cost doing it this way.

My one top tip for creating a great lunch box: make sure whatever you add to the lunch box is easy to open for your child.  I struggled with this at the beginning of last year.  I added some things my son had trouble opening himself and he had to ask an aid to help him.  Drinks with twist tops, drinks with straws, cups with lids, or pull tops, just make sure your child can open it themselves.  It makes lunch time so much easier!

Whild I was in the cereal aisle I also picked up some cereal and some instant oatmeal.  I like giving my kids oatmeal for breakfast.  Especially instant oatmeal.  Not only is it easy, but you can buy so many yummy flavors.  Plus I think it keeps my kids fuller longer.  My kids love the fruit and cream variety pack.  Don’t get me wrong, cold cereal is a staple in our family.  My kids love Cap’n Crunch in all varieties.

I thought it would be fun to make a fun treat for their lunch boxes using some of their favorite breakfast foods.  I whipped up some blueberry banana crunch cookies using Quaker instant oatmeal and Cap’n Crunch.

Yield: 4 dozen

Blueberry Banana Crunch Cookies

Print

Use your favorite breakfast items and turn them into a delicious cookie

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter - softened
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 packages Quaker instant oatmeal - blueberry and cream
• 4 packages Quaker instant oatmeal - banana and cream
• *** or 2 cups oatmeal
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup original Cap'n Crunch cereal

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Cream together sugars, butter and shortening.
3. Add eggs and vanilla and mix.
4. Add oatmeal and gently mix together.
5. Combine flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder and add to mixture.
6. Mix until everything is combined.
7. Gently fold in Cap'n Crunch cereal.
8. Place spoonfuls/scoops onto lightly greased or lined cookie sheet.
9. Bake for 9-11 minutes, until lightly browned.

 I found some french fry bags and thought they would make a cute package for my blueberry banana crunch cookies.

I added a couple cookies to each bag and then used some washi tape and made an apple to seal it shut.  These would also be a fun treat for after school or to take to the teacher or classroom.  My kids LOVED these cookies!

I try and keep things simple and luckily my kids aren’t too picky when it comes to lunch box ideas.

I look at all that food and think, wow, that’s a lot of food.  But lunch times are so spread out.  My son was eating lunch at 10:30 last year.  That makes for a long afternoon.  I want to make sure he is full and doesn’t get hungry.  I know he will be able to pay better attention if he isn’t hungry thinking about eating.

When are your kids headed back to school?  What are your favorite lunch box ideas?  I’d love to hear.  Does Quaker help you get ready for back to school?

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Happy Lunch Packing!

Liz