Lunchbox hacks that will have your kids eating everything

Say goodbye to uneaten sandwiches and hello to empty lunch boxes coming home. These easy lunchbox hacks will have your little ones eagerly gobbling up their meals at school, ensuring they are fueled up and ready to tackle the day ahead.

Overhead view of a bento lunchbox containing jam sandwiches, pinwheels, bliss balls, fruit and veg — **Today's lunch**: homemade blueberry and rhubarb chia jam sandwiches, pizza scrolls, beetroot and cocoa bliss balls (my daughter made these), chopped fruit and veg, and a couple of pretzels.

Simplify Lunch Prep

Preparing packed lunches can be made simpler with easy lunch prep.

Opt for healthy lunch box options that are quick to assemble and can be made in advance ready to pop into lunchboxes in the morning.

To streamline lunch packing, consider prepping staple ingredients and recipes in advance:

Chop veggies, fruits, and proteins for efficient assembly. Carrot sticks store well in the fridge if kept in an airtight container in some fresh water in the fridge. Celery sticks, baby tomatoes, baby cucumbers, and fruits such as strawberries and blueberries can also be washed and stored in the fridge.
Bake up a batch of muffins or cookies. I always make a double batch and use one for the week ahead and freeze the second batch for another week. This was you can easily have variety.
Blend together some bliss balls and keep them stored in the fridge or freezer. Opt for nut-free recipes if your child attends a nut-free school.
Cook a big batch of pasta, quinoa, or cous cous and use it in recipes like this pasta salad which can be eaten cold and will last the week in the fridge.

Offer a range of lunch options to cater to your children's likes and dislikes.

Include balanced items like whole grains, lean proteins, and colorful fruits.

Invest in a good lunch box with compartments to separate foods and keep them fresh.

Make packing lunches more fun by involving the kids in the process. Let them grab the prepped food from the fridge and choose what they want to put in their lunchboxes to create their own customized meals. They don't all have to have the same thing.

Bright blue plate holding 9 bliss balls — Bliss balls are a great meal prep option as they can be stored in the **freezer** for up to 3 months.

Keep Food Fresh and Appealing

When packing lunchboxes, ensure to pack smart by using insulated containers or lunch bags with ice packs to keep the food fresh, this is especially important on hot summer days. This helps maintain the right temperature for things like fruit and dairy products which can get soggy and unappealing if they get too warm.

Variety is key to keeping kids interested in their meals.

Include a mix of colors, textures and flavors to make the meal visually appealing and exciting. For example, add crunchy carrots with creamy hummus or add different colored fruits like strawberries and blueberries. You can even offer a sweet option like a berry fruit salad layered in a small container with yogurt.

Get creative with food presentation by using cookie cutters to shape sandwiches, fruits or cheese slices into fun shapes. Kids are more likely to eat food that looks appealing and interesting.

You can pick up some fun food picks and skewers from places like Amazon to add some color to the lunchbox as well.

My kids love finding little notes in their lunchboxes! Why not print out this list of 98 Sandwich Puns That Will Turn Your Lunchbox Notes from Boring to Hilarious and include a different joke each day.

A page pf lunchbox jokes to print out and include in your childs lunchbox — Include a fun little note or joke in your child's lunchbox!

Involve kids in meal planning

Allowing kids to participate in meal planning can increase their excitement and willingness to eat school lunches. Involving them in selecting recipes or choosing ingredients will make them feel empowered and more likely to enjoy the food.

Encourage children to pick out fruits and vegetables they like, this is a super easy way to include some healthy options that won't come back home uneaten. Involving kids in the decision-making process can also foster a sense of ownership over their meals, which will make them more likely to eat everything.

By engaging children in healthy meal preparation, parents can teach valuable skills that will benefit them in the long run. Kids learn about nutrition, portion sizes and balanced meals while having fun in the process.

Involving kids in meal planning also reduces picky eating behaviors, as they are more likely to try new foods when they have a say in what goes into their lunch box.

Overhead shot of a lunchbox including quesadillas, pikelets, muffin, crackers, fruit and veg — Get the kids involved and let them choose a couple of their favorite things to pack.

Organize snacks and drinks efficiently

When it comes to snack preparation, consider using containers or bins to store a variety of them. Separate items like fruits, veggies and nuts into different compartments.

Ensure that the containers are easily accessible for your kids. Opt for transparent bins or labeled containers so they can quickly identify their preferred snacks.

For efficient beverage organization, invest in spill-proof tubes or bottles to pack drinks like water or juice (this peach lemonade is the perfect summer treat). These items are convenient and prevent leaks inside the lunch box.

Consider freezing drinks like water or flavored beverages like strawberry lemonade the night before to keep them cold until lunchtime. This way, your kids can enjoy a nice cold drink during school hours.

Overhead shot of a bento lunchbox containing a wrap, muffin, drink, crackers, fruit and veg — **Freeze** juice pouches in summer so your child will have a nice cold drink at lunch.

Use smart packing solutions

Ice packs are essential for keeping food fresh in your child's lunch box as they help maintain the right temperature and prevent spoilage.

When packing perishable items like yogurt or cheese, ice packs ensure they stay cool until lunchtime. They are a simple yet effective way to maintain safe food temperatures (and textures...let's face it no one wants a warm runny yogurt).

Be sure to include a variety of foods to keep your child interested in their meal. Pack foods your child enjoys to increase the chances of them eating everything. You should also use small containers or even silicone muffin liners (affiliate link) to separate different items and avoid mixing flavors.

Following these smart lunch box packing tips can make a significant difference in whether your child eats their school lunch or not, although every child is different and I guarantee nothing 😂

Overhead shot of a lunchbox containing a wrap, muffin, crackers, fruit and veg

Key tips to remember

I hope integrating some of these lunchbox hacks into your everyday life makes packing the kids' lunchbox everyday a little easier and less stressful.

Remember:

simplify prep,
keep things fresh,
involve the little ones in planning,
organize snacks efficiently,
pack smart (don't pack a banana if they hate bananas!)

Now it's your turn to put these lunch box hacks into action and witness the positive impact on your kids' eating habits. Show them that school lunches can be fun, exciting and delicious.

Now fingers crossed those lunch boxes come back empty!

This article originally appeared on Food Drink Life.