School Lunch Ideas // Yumboxes

It's been a while since I have shared school lunch ideas on the blog.  I share them often on instagram @polkadottyplace and you can also find tons of ideas if you search #polkadottyplaceyumbox.

I feel really strongly about packing my kids yummy lunches.

I think of them as HUGS FROM HOME in the middle of their school day.

So much of what they do at school is totally out of my control, but I know that they'll feel loved, cared for and special when they open their lunch boxes at lunch time every day. Sometimes I include a note, sometimes it's a fun holiday napkin and then other days it's just a lunch of their favorite foods.

I try to do a healthy mix of foods to fill their Yumboxes.  We have been using them for 4 years now and are still big fans.  They are so durable, save me from wasting a ton of plastic every day and it is faster for me to fill each compartment in their yumbox instead of tracking down lots of tiny containers for their food.  We label them with first and last names and have never lost one.  I even chased down the bus one time in my car to get Olive's lunch box :)  We'd highly recommend them.

But if you have a child that loses things often or has trouble keeping track of the things you send to school, I would not recommend a yumbox.  They're an investment ($28-30) and not worth the risk of losing.  There are much cheaper options that are disposable.

 

A few tips:

1 // Add a fork and a spoon to give the kids options without eating with their hands.

2 // Save new foods for trying at home and then pack foods you know they'll love in their lunch box.  We often sample new foods when we are together at dinner.  That way we can talk about them and if the kids like the new food I can add it to their lunch.  I hate the idea of giving them a new food and them having to mess with not liking it at school.

4 // If your child likes their food really cold, put a thin ice pack on top and underneath it in their lunch box.

5 // Themes are fun - green day at school = a green lunch, holiday themed lunches, etc

6 // Ask for feedback on things your kids didn't eat.  Often they'll say they just ran out of time, but sometimes they'll say I really didn't like _________ in my lunch. 

My kids love turkey sausage & sharp white cheddar cheese.  Crunchy veggies and hummus, too.

We all love DOTS pretzels.

Mini Oreos, bite sized fruit and Gardettos.

Turkey sausage & turkey pepperoni.  Cold pasta and mini Reese's cups.

Green lunch!

Hard boiled eggs, kiwi & mini cheeseballs are current favorites.

White cheddar cheetos.  Sandwiches cut into fourths to fit into their container.

Let me know if you have any questions!

 

What do your kids love to eat in their lunches?

I'll include a few of my Amazon affiliate links below to our favorite Yumboxes.  We have both the Yumbox Original and Panino.  We all prefer the little compartments in the original.  Thanks for supporting Polka-Dotty Place!