Thanks to Applegate for sponsoring this post!
This has been a LONG time in coming.
For years, I’ve been vowing to let my kids pack their own lunches. But I couldn’t hand over the reigns. It’s possible I have control-freak tendencies when it comes to lunch boxes. It’s possible I didn’t trust them not to pack a jelly sandwich with a side of tortilla chips and chocolate.
But really, it’s time. I have a seventh grader and a third grader, and they’re more than capable. And I could always use one less thing on my to-do list. Couldn’t you?
When Applegate asked if I’d like to participate in their Rock The Lunch Box campaign, I knew exactly how I wanted to rock the lunch box: Get my kids packing their OWN lunch–and help you get your kids packing their own lunches too!
I designed a FREE lunch packing printable for kids that you can hang on the fridge. It walks kids through the building blocks of a healthy lunch, including main dishes, veggies, fruits, and whole grains so they learn what to include. You can fill in the boxes with whatever foods you’d like your kids to choose from.
Click here to get a copy of the free Pack Your Lunch printable!
The folks at Annie’s, Applegate, Honest Kids, and Rudi’s Organic Bakery created Rock the Lunch Box to give parents lunch packing inspiration and make building a healthy lunch box easier. You can get tons of ideas over at Rock the Lunch Box.
As you know, I’m a big fan of Applegate and a member of their Sandwich Board. Their meat comes from animals that are never given antibiotics or hormones and that were raised humanely. This was my first time trying Rudi’s Kids Soft Wheat Bread. The small slices are the perfect size for lunch boxes. It’s made from organic whole grain flour and has two grams of fiber a slice, but is also soft and mild-tasting.
Check out this fun lunch box idea I made using the Rudi’s bread: Sandwich Sushi! Have you seen this on Pinterest yet? It’s easy enough for kids to do themselves and a fun twist on a regular sandwich. I like that it turns a sandwich into bite-sizes pieces kids can pop into their mouths, because food that’s fast and easy to eat is key when kids have a limited amount of time at lunch.
Here’s the simple how-to:
- Be sure your bread is soft and room temperature. If it’s coming from the fridge, pop it in the microwave for five seconds to soften it up.
- Cut the crusts off the bread (save them for homemade bread crumbs)
- Flatten the slice of bread with a rolling pin or the back of your hand
- Spread with your kids’ favorite toppings
- Roll and slice
Rock the Lunch Box also supports FoodCorps, a nationwide team of AmeriCorps leaders who help make lunch fun and delicious for more than 165,000 kids a year. FoodCorps provides hands-on nutrition education in schools, offering kids opportunities to try new, wholesome foods in the cafeteria, and creating a culture of healthy eating in nearly 650 schools across the country.
Click here to get a copy of the free Pack Your Lunch printable!
Disclosure. I received free products and compensation for my time. All opinions are always my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that help make Real Mom Nutrition possible!
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Genuis. Maybe this printable will give me the guts to hand over the reigns, too. Thanks for sharing it with all us over-worked, control-freak moms! 🙂
Ha! No problem, Christina. (“over-worked, control-freak moms” is a pretty good way to put it!)
I am going to try this! I have tried several ways to get my kids involved in packing their lunches but then give up. They waste time, whine about options and make a mess. I guess I am a control freak about lunches too! Leftovers in a thermos are a common lunch for us too. 🙂
Tiffany–I totally hear you. But we must stay strong and not give in. 🙂 Good luck in sticking to your guns and I will try to do the same!
This is a great printable! Mine will make their lunch on the weekends but I haven’t let go of packing them myself during the school week. lol!
Thanks Jackie! You should try handing over the lunch packing duties during the week–nice to have one less thing to do!
Such a great idea to help kids (and adults)!
Ok, gonna try this! I have started cutting up fruit and veggies on Sunday for the week, placed into ziplock boxes and labeled (I know, I know). But I’ve had mornings when I just grab whatevers in the fridge and it works! Well, my 14 yr old says she wants to pack her own lunch and when I let her, it’s usually a pb sandwich, chips or pretzels, any cookies/brownie/cake she can find, and cheese. I just grit my teeth, smile, and say, “Wow! Good job! How about some fruit and/or a veggie?” which gets me an eye roll!
June–I know, I’m not always a huge fan of the lunches my older son puts together (lotsa crackers, popcorn, bread, etc) but like you, I try to make gentle suggestions but back off as needed. 🙂