5 Top Tips for Child-friendly Lunchboxes (Without Leftovers!)

Kids can be fussy little blighters sometimes. I used to despair when I opened their lunchboxes to discover half-eaten sandwiches, apples with only a bite taken out and everything smothered in leftover yoghurt.

Until I came up with a few ideas to make their lunch boxes more exciting and encourage them to eat everything.

1. Surprise pots
   Add a small lidded plastic container with a surprise in every day. Some fruit salad – just chopped up fruit with a splash of juice. Or a pick’n’mix with dried fruit, nuts and seeds. Or a few chunks of cheese and veggie sticks.

 

2. Bite-size
   Keeping things bite-sized can help. Cut sandwiches into little triangles, add a handful of grapes or cherry tomatoes, some mini crackers. Smaller items are much more tempting to the kids.

 

3. Breads
   Sandwiches can be pretty dull, day after day, particularly if your child only likes one or two different fillings. Try varying the bread – rolls, pitta pockets, wraps, bagels, or croissants will help keep things interesting.

 

4. Yoghurt alternatives
   Instead of the obligatory yoghurt, try tempting your kids with mini fromage frais, fruit jellies or custard pots.

 

5. Involve the kids!
   While we all want our kids to have a nutritious lunch, there is zero point adding broccoli spears or coleslaw if your child won’t eat it. Get them involved – give them a few options to choose from and let them help you pack it up so they feel their lunch box is really their own!