Parent Partnerships 

School Lunchbox Tips For Parents

Written by Dr Justin Coulson

Trying to think of school lunches kids will eat is exhausting. It’s disappointing to find a child’s carefully packed lunchbox untouched. With the cost-of-living crunch, lunches can be expensive, plus they’re time-consuming to make. But, kids learn best when they’re fed. So how do we get them fed and their school day fuelled for success?

Here’s are some tips to ensure your child’s lunchbox comes back empty and their bellies full.

Tips For Packing School Lunches Kids Will Eat

Stick to Familiar Foods

School is not the time to stretch their taste buds. A full tummy is better than nothing at all, so prioritise sending them to school with food you know they’ll eat.

Create a Lunch Menu Plan

Creating menus with various lunch options reduces the cognitive load on busy mornings. Involve your kids in deciding their lunch options (ideally the night before), so they feel a sense of ownership, resulting in higher chances of lunchboxes returning empty.

The Freezer is Your Friend

Pre-prepare foods and freeze them. Freeze leftovers or sandwiches to maintain freshness until lunchtime.

Make Baking Days A Weekend Ritual

Prepare quiches, muffins, and other lunch-friendly favourites on weekends to save precious time on weekdays.

Use Bento Boxes for Better Presentation

Bento boxes make lunch better because they prevent flavours from mingling. (Plus, food looks attractive, and we can add variety because the boxes are designed for that.)

Consider Physical Activity as a Motivator

When I was a kid, I had swim-squad sessions up to 10 times per week. Each session was 2 hours long! When your kids move their bodies that much, they become less concerned about what they’re eating, and they focus more on refuelling.

Pack Lunches Kids Love and Will Eat

Packing school lunches doesn’t have to be complicated. With some thoughtful planning, practical freezer use, and attention to your child’s tastes and activity levels, you can create lunches they’ll look forward to eating.