When I think of “back to school” I think of packing lunches. They go hand in hand for me. We have a 10 year gap between our older set and our younger set of kids. Sometimes it feels like I’ve been packing lunches FOREVER.
With my youngest starting kindergarten I know that my lunch packing days will be coming to an end in the next few years. Until then I’ll continue my lunch packing routine.
Have a lunch packing routine means you don’t have to reinvent the wheel every day. I’m all in favor of simplicity. I typically choose 3 main items for my kids lunch boxes. They get a main dish, a fruit or veggie and a snack type item.
I don’t pack a lot of food in my kids lunches because most kids waste a lot of food at lunch. If you’ve ever visited your kids at lunch you can see why. It’s a mad house, especially at the kindergarten table. A lot of the kids can’t open their containers or individual packages. If this is their first school experience they probably don’t know how to manage their time. You end up with a 5 year old who can’t open their apple sauce and just talks to their new friends.
Tips for Simple School Lunches
- Use easy to open containers.
- Stick to just a few foods.
- Get your child’s “buy in” or let them see the lunch before it’s packed away
- Have older kids pack their own lunch (with guidelines) See my printable!
- Let younger children have some choices like apples or strawberries, crackers or pretzels.
- Include every thing they need like a spoon or napkin.
- Use a frozen insert to keep cold foods cold.
I love EasyLunchBoxes because they make lunches easier to pack. My kids have always been able to open them without help, we started using them in preschool. We still use that original set that is over 2 years old. We’ve had a few crack but if you’ve seen how my boys treat their back pack you would understand. They are durable.
My boys love that the EasyLunchBoxes keep their foods separate so nothing touches. That means the strawberries won’t get the pretzels all wet and soggy. I also use their mini dipper containers occasionally when I need a small container.
My 7 year old will sometimes pack his own lunch but usually I need to intervene. He would be happy with a piece of bread, a granola bar and crackers. I have a “at least one fruit or veggie” rule that he likes to sneak around. He doesn’t eat a lot at lunch so I usually stick to 3 things.
My 5 year old wants his lunch box FULL! If there is the tiniest bit of empty space he goes looking for something to stick in it. He will eat it all too. He normally gets two types of fruit, a main dish, something a little “snacky” like pretzels or Plentils, and anything else he can fit in there.
I adapt to each of my kids needs but in a way that works for our needs.
EasyLunchBoxes Giveaway
I want you to have a chance to simplify your lunch box routine too! You can win your own set of EasyLunchBoxes!
If you don’t win a set of containers you can always buy them from EasyLunchBoxes or Amazon! Make sure you read this first so you get the real deal.
This page contains affiliate links.
that looks like a good container for lunches, I’d love to win. Thank you for your food/meal ideas.
I like how these lunch boxes are BPA-free. Thanks for the contest!
I love that’s it FDA approved.
They are honest about not being leak proof. Do like that they nest.
I like that they are durable and easy for kids . My daughter also doesn’t like her food to touch so this is perfect . I hope I win cause they are so many lunch ideas for this container I would love to try .
I love their recipes for quick and easy lunchbox meals for kids! Healthy and fun!! So adorable!
I didn’t know about the little dippers–great option.
I love that you get multiple containers, allowing for advanced meal-prep for the wee ones!
I like that they are easy open for kids. Hopefully that means also easy to close 🙂 My kids are forever not finishing lunch and don’t close the containers all the way, making a mess in the lunch box
We LOVE these containers! I bought two sets last school year and used them almost daily and all summer. With my third child in school, I want to add another set to help get through the week!
I love portioned containers for lunches! By involving the kids in packing lunches, it helps make sure they get a good variety of wholesome foods.
I like that they are No BPA, Lead, Vinyl or PVC. I also like those dippers!
I’ve never seen a small Soy Nut Butter like that before. So perfect for lunch or snack. If these lunch boxes encourage kids to possibly pack or help pack their own lunches, I’m game 🙂
Thank you so much for the giveaway talk.about perfect timing ♡
I like the divided sections for packing multiple items
What’s not to like? They nest for easy storage, they are BPA and PVC free, and safe from freezer to microwave.
Great way to keep foods separated
I love how these are BPA free! These would be great for my kids!
Easy to open for little hands with enough compartments.
I like how they are in one container but separated!
Great idea – looks like it would be easy for kids to use.
I love making these types of lunches with a little bit of everything for healthy options the kids love! I have to use cupcake liners to separate food, so these containers look like they would be perfect!
I love the divided containers!
For me, it is important that they contain no BPA, Lead, Vinyl or PVC. I like the compartments!
I love the versatility of the containers. I would be sharing this with my kiddos for sure.
I like that they are bpa free and easy to open!
This containers look super simple to open and I love the compartments. My son too would love to just pack “snacks” vs a real lunch, LOL.
I love that they are easy to use!
Thanks for having this giveaway! I love how they separate food but it is still all together.
This looks like an amazing container would LOVR to win one for my kids!!
These look amazing! Having a kid with food allergies means we will be packing lunches for many more years. I’m all for anything that makes that easier!
These look like a great way to keep foods separated for lunch on the go!
Thanks for the contest! I like how you tailor the lunches to suit each child. 🙂
These make for easy lunches and time for a little creativity!
Awesome!
Love your products and lunch ideas. Thanks for the chance
I have one container and have been using it for my son’s 1st 2 wks of kindergarten. I’m loving it. I’d love to win more
I would love to win these. They are just what my granddaughter needs for K.
I like to see your lunch ideas. Makes me feel better about what I pack!
I love the containers and all the healthy lunch ideas from this blog
I like that they are “Safe for Freezer, Dishwasher and Microwave”.
Easy Lunchboxes are amazing! Definitely helpful not only for school lunches, but great for picnics and take-along snacks while out and about!
I have been eyeing easy Lunchboxes, great giveaway!
Great giveaway!! These lunch boxes look great for my daughters.
I love that they have 3 compartments!!
Different color lids for easy identification
Love how easy these are!
I just switched to these in the interest of more space in the fridge for 3 kids’ lunches…
I love that they’re neat and have the dividers so foods don’t mix and I can pack everything in one easy to open container for my little ones and older kids. Having 4 kids this is just easy! Having 4 containers and loss to find is chaos! Love this!
I love that they are different fun colors, so I can color code for each child and they always know which lunch is theirs. And that I can pack a variety of foods in everyone’s lunch box 🙂
Would really love these for my hubby’s work lunches!
Easy to open and holds the right amount for a good and healthy meal
I love that these containers have separate sealed off sections so ingredients don’t mix together. BPA free is also very important. Thank you!!
Love love love these! My boys are starting school next year and the thought of coming up with lunch box ideas everyday is a little daunting I won’t lie lol
I like that they have easy open lids and they nest to save on storage space.
I like that the containers are divided but it’s all one. Less to loose!
We are adopting 3 kids and making school lunches will be new for me. These look like a great solution to my quest for the perfect containers!
I like that there are three sections and only one container to wash. Easy to open lids. I love these lunch containers!
I like that these are divided containers. That is really the easiest way to organize a lunch.
Perfect timing. My 10-year-old has just gone gluten free and I am not used to packing lunches every day! This would be an awesome start to the school year!
I love that they are dishwasher safe.
These containers are great! I could definitely use them!
We have another version of these boxes now and it is clunky. These look light weight and user friendly. WOULD LOVE TO WIN!
Look great
I love Easylunchboxes!!
I would love some of the mini dipper containers also!
We love the Easy Lunchboxes!!! Everything has it’s own compartment!!
This looks great. I have four kids and really could put this to good use. My kids would think they were great!
These lunchboxes are great to keep food separated. Like the Urban ones.
Helps me stay organized and save time in the morning
I love that I can put the Easy Lunch Boxes in the dishwasher. Since I work full time outside the home and pack 10 lunches a week plus snacks it saves me being stuck in the kitchen each night washing dishes.