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Healthy Back to School Hacks and Lunches Kids Actually Want to Eat!

I’m thrilled to partner with California Giant Berry Farms for this post. As always, all opinions are my own. I had the pleasure of visiting California Giant Berry Farms in June and learn all about the family business and non-GMO strawberries that are never sprayed with pesticides! Their naturally large strawberries are the perfect addition to these kid-friendly bento box lunches!

Ready or not, back to school time is officially here. And chances are, most of us really aren’t ready. This time of year always ends up feeling daunting and chaotic. I’d say at least half the families I work with end up needing to reschedule their sessions because everything going on! But just like many other stressful seasons, the #1 key to success is planning ahead. And I’m thrilled to share some helpful tips and lunchbox ideas that kids won’t throw away or come back home with a full lunchbox!

Bento boxes are all the rage and rightfully so- they make for the cutest, while still practical containers for a child’s lunch. Since we eat with our eyes first, it only makes sense that the more attractive and kid-friendly the lunch, the more likely they are to eat it! And with big juicy strawberries- what’s not to like? California Giant strawberries are naturally large because of the perfect climate and soil they grow in, making them eye candy and tasting super sweet!

As much as most kids love a PB & J, including unexpected and fun foods like pasta salads, pin wheels or even a fruit salad is a great way to liven up lunch. If your immediate thought is “My kid would never eat ________”- try including ONE new thing with other liked and familiar foods, like strawberries, blueberries or their other favorite fruit. Often times moms (and dads) go all out packing what they think is the coolest and healthiest lunch, but the kiddo is overwhelmed and even fearful of that many new foods. Try just one and consider including a favorite condiment or dipping sauce to entice them further!

KISS Tip: Try cutting a wrap into pinwheels- little hands love the pinwheels it makes a wrap easier to eat.
KISS Tip: Put a really thin layer of cream cheese on the inside of a wrap- it helps prevent sandwiches or wraps from getting soggy! The most popular KISS in the Kitchen recipe is actually this Viva Fiesta Turkey Wrap where I used some veggie cream cheese and also created pinwheels!

 

​Don’t be afraid to “not pack a main meal”. Many parents are concerned if they don’t pack a sandwich or “entree”, there isn’t enough food! That couldn’t be farther from the truth and often kids enjoy eating a lunch comprised of “heavier snacks” than a real meal.

Consider these protein-style Bento boxes options:
2 Hard Boiled Eggs + handful nuts + Cheese Stick + Strawberries + Carrots with Ranch
Turkey + cheese rollups + Olives + hummus + edamame + Blueberries
Cheese cubes + Ham cubes + Greek Yogurt + cucumbers + Strawberries + Blueberries

Here are a few other healthy ideas that save you time, money or both!

-Pre-prep breakfast by creating DIY Instant Oatmeal Packets (this saves money plus you can control how much sugar actually goes in there) or pre-portion and freeze individual smoothie baggies. You can find a multitude of recipes on Pinterest for both of these, but get creative and inspired by what your kiddos like!

A great basic recipe is 1 cup strawberries and blueberries + 1/2 banana + 3/4 cup spinach placed in a freezer safe resealable bag and frozen until ready for use. Remove from freezer, place ingredients in a blender and add ~1 cup of your favorite milk. Blend in a high-powered blender until smooth. Add yogurt, tofu or your favorite protein powder for a protein boost!

-Make batches of Snack Bites or bars like these Creamy Cashew Lemon Bites or these Gluten-Free Blueberry Oat Squares.

-Bust out the crockpot and ask your friends to do the same. Instead of just picking out a new recipe, talk to the moms in your circle and have everyone pick a recipe. Not only does that help with meal planning accountability, but you can share the results and figure out what recipes are the easiest and tastiest!

​-Make sheet pan dinners! Almost as popular as Bento boxes, sheet plan meals are recipes that allow you to put everything on the same sheet and it cooks at the same time and temperature! Check out this Southwest Breakfast Sheet Pan Bake I just made last week!

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One of my favorite things is hearing feedback from my clients about how their kiddos tried a new food or liked something new in their lunch- would love to hear what new foods your kiddos are trying too! Wishing y’all a safe and blessed back-to-school season! <3 Shannon

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46 Responses

  1. Love your tips Shannon! Can’t believe back to school is already here. Those berries have such beautiful color, I don’t think it would take much convincing to get my kids to eat them!

    1. Thank you, Laura! I know- the summer has flown by faster than ever. California Giant strawberries are definitely the prettiest and sweetest (IMO) because of the perfect combo of the location’s environment. So deliciously juicy!

  2. The hardest part of my job as a Preschool Teacher is not teaching, but watching children eat unhealthy lunches and snacks.
    This sight is absolutely wonderful. Great ideas and helpful tips.
    Thank you❣

    1. What a blessing your job is to teach and shape young minds! So glad these lunch boxes are helpful. Bright berries definitely make for attractive lunches that entice little ones :). Thanks for stopping by, Linda!

  3. Such awesome tips. The bento boxes are really fantastic for showing off colorful food and, in turn, making it more appetizing for kids. Really great info in this post!

    1. Thanks so much, Mona! You’re so right- colorful plates often result in kiddos liking the food more! Appreciate you stopping by!

  4. Even though I don’t have to worry about packing school lunches, these make excellent lunch/snack options for myself! I love the variety the boxes provide and when you make them at home – it’s really a bargain compared to something similar at Starbucks! Thanks for the inspiration!!! Those berries look so juicy and amazing ?

    1. Thanks, Kaylee! My thoughts exactly! Making your own “protein power boxes” is a great way to save money and calories. And yes- the berries are seriously the best!

  5. These lunches look so tasty! And I love all the tips – I do the pre-packaged oatmeals to take with me when I travel!

  6. I absolutely LOVE these compartmentalized lunch boxes available now! Where were these when my kiddos were young?? You’ve got some great ideas for filling them with healthy kid-friendly bites too. Kudos!

    1. Right, Catherine?! They should have had these before because they definitely make lunch super fun! Thanks so much and glad you found these helpful!

  7. These are awesome ideas! I would go for some of these myself. Loving the protein-style bento boxes! I’m a big snacker/grazer, so I like that idea 🙂

    1. So glad you like it- I’m the same way- always snacking and wanting good protein options with fresh fruits and veggies too!

  8. Forget my daughter, I want to pack these lunchboxes for me! Actually my 10 year old buys her lunch often (which gets me of the hook) but I have to dust off the bento box for the times she wants a packed lunch. She loves the bowites!

    1. Haha! They’re definitely kid and adult friendly. Nothing wrong with being off lunch duty sometimes! Bowties are so much fun! Thanks, Deanna!

  9. I can’t get enough of fresh summer berries lately! I’m loving all of these lunchbox ideas and I may even use some of them as inspiration for my own lunch box 😉

    1. Thanks, Kara! I’m right there with you and it seems the response on these lunchboxes is a pretty enthusiastic one from both adults and kiddos!

  10. I love these ideas! So great! I know so many moms looking for more lunchbox ideas – now I’ve got some that I can give them!

    1. Thanks so much, Sara! Same here; was excited to send this out to all my friends and clients! So glad you found it helpful also!

  11. How obsessed am I with berries?! Too obsessed. These lunches look so delicious! Love that pasta salad, too.

  12. Shannon, these are some super lunch ideas! I just love the compartmentalized boxes and all the options they provide. 🙂

    1. Thank you, Catherine! That’s what I love about them also- so many personalized options for every kiddo (or adult!)

  13. Shannon, such great tips for back-to-school lunches! I love the bento box ideas! Sharing with my mama friends!

  14. Great post and so many good school lunch ideas! At 14 & 16, my kids are packing their own lunches now (or buying lunch), but they’re still discovering new foods they like all the time. My son just ate some kale salad and declared it “pretty good”, and my daughter has developed a taste for sauted garlic green beans, zucchini, and carrots~of course with a smidge of butter thrown in for good measure 🙂 I can’t wait to make your sheet pan breakfast!!

    1. Thank you, EA! Love that your kiddos are developing their tastebuds! And I’m sure you do make a great kale salad! Thanks again and let me know what you think of the sheet pan meal if you get to make it!

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Welcome to KISS in the Kitchen! I’m Shannon, and my dad always told me “Keep it simple, Shannon”. And that’s what you’ll find here- simple recipes and simple ideas to help you get healthier and happier. Read more…

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