My oldest is in preschool. Normally school’s out before lunch, but sometimes he stays after for the “lunch buddies” program. He gets very excited for this because it means he gets a packed lunch and more time to play with his friends. I want to pack a nutritious lunch while making it extra fun and special for him at the same time. If I pack something boring he’s more likely to abandon it after a bite or two. Here are a few tips to pack a healthy lunch your kids will eat:
- Let your kids participate in grocery shopping for lunch items and assist you in packing their lunch by making their own decisions on what to put in it.
- Remind your kids about the food groups as you pack to include a balanced variety of foods
- Let your kids pick out their lunch box at the beginning of the year with their favorite colors and/or characters. Try fun baggies to encourage them to eat healthier. A bag of carrots in a plain ziplock is a lot less appealing to a child than a bag of carrots in a Disney princess snack bag.
- Add dips or sprinkles. Kids love to dip foods whether it’s ketchup, ranch dressing, yogurt or peanut butter. I also like to add a few sprinkles to the top of yogurt so it seems like a special treat.
- Use cookie cutters. They aren’t just for cookies! Cut cheese slices and lunchmeat into fun shapes to top crackers or use a large cookie cutter to cut a sandwich into something cute.
Kids play hard and think hard while at school. It can be exhausting for them so it’s important that they get the proper nutrition to refuel. Below are some fun and healthy options for including in packed lunches that both moms and kids will appreciate.
Yoplait Go-Gurt
There’s something about yogurt in a tube that kids just love. It gets even better with Phineas & Ferb or Wizards of Waverly Place packaging with sports fun trivia on each tube. Moms can appreciate that it’s low-fat and contains calcuim! A box sells for around $2.99 at grocery stores nationwide.
Brother’s All Natural Freeze Dried Fruit Crisps
These 100% natural fresh fruit snacks are available in a variety of flavors and are the perfect alternative to chips. My youngest who is turning one next week loves this treat. The Disney packaging makes her smile too! Retails for around $5.99 at grocery stores nationwide.
Crunch Pak Foodles
Mickey shaped trays with interesting combinations of fruits, veggies and sides like dips, raisins, crackers or cheese are the perfect addition to any lunch box. They also make a great healthy snack or mini-meal! These retail from $1.99 to $2.99 at select grocery stores nationwide.
Crunch Pak Apple Slices
Cars Apple Slices are easy to pack for the kids and another good alternative to chips. The crunch is satisfying and fulfills a food group requirement. Moms will love the grab and go convenience of these! They sell for $2.99-3.99 at select grocery stores nationwide
Kellogg’s Fruit Snacks
Made with real fruit, these fruit snacks with characters like Phineas & Ferb or Toy Story friends might just be the dessert your child craves for the perfect end to their lunch. A box sells for $2.69 at Walmart, Target and grocery stores nationwide
Kellogg’s Cheezits
A classic snack and a favorite at our house, Cheezits now come with your favorite Cars characters on them. I know my son will be excited to find these in his lunch box. They sell for $3.79 at select Target stores
Kellogg’s Rice Krispy Treats
With only 90 calories, rice crispy treats are another fun lunch dessert item, especially with the Cars ones with the red rice cereal! These sell for $2.89 at select grocery stores nationwide
Kellogg’s Grahams Bites
Fun for snacking any time with their crisp texture and cinnamon flavor, bite size graham crackers in fun Cars shapes are another favorite at our house. A box sells for around $3.29 at select grocery stores nationwide
Utz’s Pretzels
My son has a classmate with a peanut allergy. This was the perfect snack to share when it was our turn to bring snack. These pretzels are packaged in red and black Cars character packs and were a hit with everyone, including moms who like to see less sugar in the snack selections! These sell for$4.99 at select grocery stores nationwide.
Peach Tree Pocket Pack Tissues (Princess)
Slip a pack of tissues into the lunch bag to encourage cleanliness! Perfect for wiping hands or noses. These sell for $1.00/6-pack at Dollar Tree stores.
Insignia Snack Bags, Sandwich Bags, Lunch Bags and Ice Packs
Sometimes its the packaging that keeps kids excited about lunch time. Use snack bags, sandwich bags, lunch bags, and ice packs with their favorite Disney characters to keep them interested in their lunch These products retail for $2.00/each at select grocery stores nationwide.
It’s easy for kids to lose interest in eating right when they are at school. What are some of the ways you keep your kids keen on healthy munching? Let us know by leaving a comment!
Disney Living has launched the D-Lightful Living campaign on their Disney Living Facebook page. Over a 12 week period they’ll post a weekly challenge for families to encourage them to live a healthy lifestyle. These challenges will feature simple tips and product suggestions to make it easy. You’ll be able to download a checklist that outlines all 12 weekly challenges to help you track your progress. You’ll also be able to participate in an online forum to share tips with one another. Last, but not least, visitors will be able to enter to win a weekly Disney-branded product prize package! Be sure to visit Disney Living on Facebook for all of the details.
Complimentary products were provided for this post and I am being compensated for my time as a Disney Brand Ambassador, however, all opinions expressed are my own. See Mommies With Cents disclosure policy for more details.