School Lunchbox Ideas

Jan 19, 2021

School Lunchbox Ideas

Lunchboxes, something I see my Mum friends complain about a lot on social media. I don’t find them too stressful but I think that’s because I always try and make them the night before so I don’t have that rush in the morning. As soon as the kids are home, I empty their bags and wash their lunchboxes. I then prepare their lunchboxes for the next day while dinner is cooking.

I then add whatever fruit is in season.

It could be an apple and a banana, berries, grapes, watermelon, oranges or whatever else my kids are enjoying.

I cut it up into bite size pieces to make it easier to eat.

I use bento style lunchboxes because I find them best for being leak proof, keeping food fresh and they are easy for my girls to open and use.

My preferred bento boxes are from Stuck On You, believe me when I say I’ve used lots of different ones and these are by far the winners for us.

I usually do a sandwich (cut into shapes to keep it exciting for the kids and encourages them to eat) or wrap, sometimes a bagel or English muffin.

My eldest is allowed peanut butter at her school which I know is rare, however, Vegemite and cheese, ham and cheese, tuna, cream cheese, jam, egg, I just keep it simple.

I keep it simple.

I cut up fruit and put it into containers a couple of times a week so it’s all ready to go.

I don’t cut apples, pears or bananas until the night before though.

Nothing goes brown and everything stays fresh in the style of lunchbox I use.

I also add in pretzels, popcorn, dried fruit, nuts (if they’re allowed at your child’s school or kinder) rice crackers, dry biscuits or something of that sort then a home-baked goodie.

Sometimes I’ll add cheese to the crackers, yoghurt instead of a home-baked goodie or a boiled egg if the overall protein is low.

My girls like kabana, cheese, biscuits and dip too, easy and a nice treat!

Some days (rarely) when I’m organised, I’ll make sushi or rice paper rolls which Miss 6 absolutely loves, but it's very time consuming and probably happened about half a dozen times last year.

Home Baked Goodies

I try and keep the home-baked goodies as simple and healthy as possible, limiting sugar where possible and being something I can freeze and pull out at the last minute is a must.

I spend a few hours once a term baking 5-6 different things then freeze them all in large ziplock bags. I just take one out and put it straight into the lunch box the night before and it’s ready to go by recess or lunch the next day.

One of my girls' favourite home-cooked goodies is banana pikelets.

These can be eaten hot or cold, with butter or without and best of all, they can be frozen.

This recipe makes a dozen super fluffy delicious pikelets, I usually double or triple the recipe if I’m freezing them.

1 cup wholemeal self raising flour (or white SR flour)

1 egg (works with egg replacer)

1/2 tsp baking powder

3/4 cup milk of choice

1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste/extract

Mix it all together then let it sit for 10-15 mins before cooking in a medium / hot pan. I use coconut oil to grease the pan.

Let cool completely before freezing. I recommend freezing them flat on a tray before bagging up so they don’t stick together.

Another favourite with my girls is this muesli bar recipe,

which was inspired by www.stayathomemum.com.au with some recipe changes to suit our family.

2 cups rolled oats

1 1/2 cups wholemeal flour

1 cup organic sultanas

1/4 cup brown sugar

2/3 cup maple syrup (use pure, not flavoured)

60 grams butter or coconut oil

1 tbsp boiling water

1 tsp bicarb

Preheat oven to 180°c. Line a slice tray with baking paper. Mix oats, flour, sugar and fruit in a bowl. Put maple syrup and butter in a microwave-proof jug and microwave for 2 minutes, stirring once. Carefully mix in water and bicarb then pour into oat mix, combine then press into tray. Cook for 15-20 mins. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container. Freezes extremely well.

This is another great recipe that freezes really well and the kids never realised there was zucchini in their cupcakes!

Recipe - https://kidgredients.com.au/chocolate-zucchini-cupcakes-dairy-free/

This recipe is a great one to freeze too. It’s basically homemade Tiny Teddies. I cut them into star shapes because they fit best in the girls' lunch boxes!

Recipe - https://trtlmt.com.au/teeny-teddies/

One of the quickest and easiest home-baked goodies I have learnt to make in the last year has two ingredients and takes about half an hour to make! It does contain sugar but it’s great for a treat.

I got this recipe off the @aldiloversau Instagram! I’ve made it loads of times and it never fails. I haven’t frozen this one because it never lasts long enough because it’s demolished before it can be frozen!