The lazy atmosphere of those long, hot days of summer are almost over and the anticipation for the start of a new school year is in the air. Start your busy year off on the right foot and prepare ahead of time for school lunches with these 6 ways to make school lunch prep easier.
Create an Organized Snack Space
A school lunch should be a combination of the main meal and a lot of healthy – but exciting – snacks to help your kids get through the day. This year, take some time to pre-plan the individual items you will be sending with them in a designated and organized snack space. Whether it is cold food in the fridge or dry goods in the pantry, make it easy for your kids to select their snacks themselves by storing the individual items in carefully labeled baskets. The ease of choosing the snacks will save you time and give your kids a sense of independence.
Designate a Planning Day
An important factor in ensuring that your school lunches are hassle free is taking some time to plan. Take the stress out of your daily routine and dedicate one day per week to pre-planning and preparing lunches for your whole family. Incorporating it into your routine will allow you to prepare for the upcoming week, and including your family in the process will ensure that everyone is happy with the selections.
Make Use of Your Freezer
One of the simplest ways to prepare for lunches is to make use of the leftovers from the night before. Instead of putting everything into one large container, use freezer bags instead and serve out single portions. Taking this step will make the preparation easier as single portions are easier to thaw in the morning. If your children are fans of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, make them ahead of time and freeze them as well. Making use of your freezer for lunch prep will allow you to have more time in the mornings and relieve the stress of making lunches.
Use Bento Boxes
Traditionally used for sushi, the Bento box is slowly becoming a popular trend for lunch prep. The different compartments allow for easy storage of snacks as well as the main course, and they are perfect for pre-planning your weekly lunches. Simply serve each portion into the compartments and store them in the fridge or freezer. The pre-planned meals make it simple for your kids to just grab their lunches and go, making morning easy and lunch prep a stress free task.
Pack the Night Before
The mornings during the school year are comprised of daily routines including brushing teeth, eating breakfast, and preparing for the day. Instead of adding an extra task to that list, prepare and pack the lunches the night before with your children. Taking this step will allow you to spend some time together, save you some time in the morning, and it will allow your children to choose what they would like in their lunch.
Provide Cool Drinks
Part of a complete school lunch is having drink options to choose from. Give your child a few selections of juice box flavours but also send them with a water bottle. You can store them in the fridge to keep them cool or, for an extra added touch, freeze them the night before so they can double as an ice pack. Keeping your child hydrated in school will boost their immune system and keep them more alert during classes.
School lunch prep doesn’t have to be a difficult task. With the proper planning, help from your children, and time management your lunch prep can be easy and fun. For more ideas on how to make lunch prep easier visit the Falconcrest Homes Blog.
Tags: Falconcrest Homes, Kids Meal, Lunch Box for Kids, Make Your School Lunch Prep Easier, Meal to School, new homes, Prepping School Lunch, What Should Lunch Box Have