100 School Lunch Box Ideas - What Oh What to Make?

  

Though it may in fact be "the most wonderful time of the year" once school starts back up, most of us dread the thought of making school lunches. I can't lie, that's one of the reasons I look forward to
summer holidays! LOL So I totally hear you!  And that's why I've created this list to help us all keep our sanity during the school year!

Simply print off this list and either stick it on your fridge, tape it to the inside of one of your cupboard doors, or put it wherever else you can post it for easy access. This way, you will always have a handy list of what you can either plan for, or create out of what you already have in your fridge, freezer and pantry! Or you can use this list to plan your school lunches ahead of time so that you always have the ingredients that you need!

Let's get started!  

COLD ENTREES 

Breads:

• Loaf Bread (White, Whole Wheat, Rye, Pumpernickel, Cheese Loaf, etc)
• Sweet Breads (Raisin Loaf, etc)
• Bakery Buns (Check out various buns at your local bakery/grocery store)
• Pitas (White, Whole Wheat)
• Tortillas (Check out different varieties of flavoured tortillas)
• English Muffins
• Croissants
• Bagels (Various flavours, both sweet and savory)

Sandwich Fillings:

• Deli MeatsCanned Meats
• Canned Fish
• Spreads (Jam, Jellies, Nut-Free Peanut Butter, etc)
• Cheese or Cheese Spreads
• Grilled Chicken or other meat
• Grilled Veggies (Zucchini, eggplant, peppers, onions, mushrooms,etc)
• Chicken Salad (Minced meat with mayo, chopped onion, etc)
• Turkey Salad (Minced meat with mayo, chopped onion, etc)
• Egg Salad (Minced egg with mayo, chopped onion, etc)
• Fried Egg

  

Other Cold Entree Ideas: 

• Deconstructed Sandwiches (Pack everything separately)
• Cold Pizza
• Cold English Muffin Pizzas
• Quesadillas (Plain cheese, canned beans, refried beans, meats, tuna, veggies, etc)
• Tacos (Hard or soft shells, refried beans, meat, cheese, tomatoes, etc)
• Burritos (Refried beans, meat, cheese, tomatoes, etc)
• Tortillas (With cream cheese, shredded carrots and dried cranberries)
• Tortillas (With a whole banana and nut-free peanut butter, jam, etc)
• Hard-Boiled Eggs (Check out these egg molds! Guaranteed to please your kids!)
• Salads (If you are lucky enough to get your kids to eat salad!)
• Macaroni or Potato Salad

  

HOT ENTREES FOR A THERMOS 

• Macaroni & Cheese (Homemade, boxed, frozen - if there is a microwave)
• Canned Pasta and Sauce (Chef Boyardee, Alphagetti, etc)
• Pasta with Homemade Sauce
• Pasta with Butter and Parmesan
• Chicken Fingers & Fries
• Hot Dogs/Turkey Dogs/Soy Dogs
• Pogos
• Soups or Chili
• Porridge
• Any kind of leftovers that your child likes

FRUIT

• Grapes
• Berries
• Apples (Spritz lemon juice on slices so they don't brown!)
• Asian Pears (Spritz lemon juice on slices so they don't brown!)
• Pears (Spritz lemon juice on slices so they don't brown!)
• Bananas
• Oranges
• Melons
• Kiwi
• Fruit Cups
• Canned Fruit
• Dried Fruit (Try not to offer these all the time, as they can cause cavities!)
• Applesauce

  

  

VEGGIES

• Carrots
• Cucumbers
• Celery (Try "bribing" them by putting Cheese Whiz & raisins inside each stalk if they can't stand it! LOL)
• Peppers
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Raw Zucchini (We tell our kids that it's a different kind of cucumber - works like a charm! LOL)
• Snap Peas/Snow Peas

  

DIPS

• Salad Dressing (Ranch & Caesar are the most popular, or other dressing of choice)
• Marinara Sauce
• Honey Mustard Sauce (Just mix honey and regular yellow mustard together!)
• Tomato Salsa
• Cucumber Salsa
• Guacamole (Wrap it so there isn't any air on it or the discolouration might turn kids off!)
• Hummus (Cruise the hummus section to check out their various flavours!)
• Nut-Free Butters
• Tzaziki
• Baba Ganoush
• White Bean Dip
• Caramel Dip for Fruit

SAVOURY SNACKS

• Cheese (Processed slices, hard cheese slices or chunks, Cheesestrings, flavoured cheeses, Babybel)
• Rice Cakes
• Bread Sticks
• Crackers
• Pretzels
• Chips
• Popcorn
• Nuts & Bolts
• Pickles (Dill, Sweet, etc)

  

SWEET SNACKS

• Nut-free Granola Bars
• Cereal Bars
• Yogurt Cups/Tubes
• Yogurt with Fruit/Berries & Nut-Free Granola 
• Nut-Free Trail Mix
• Rice Krispy Squares
• Date Squares & Other Dessert Squares
• Cookies
• Pudding
• Dried Fruit/Berries (Try not to offer these all the time, as they can cause cavities!)
• Muffins

  

DRINKS

• Water
• White Milk (If sending in a cup, freeze 1/2 full and top it up in the morning so it's cold for lunch!)
• Chocolate Milk (If sending in a cup, freeze 1/2 full and top it up in the morning so it's cold for lunch!)
• Juice Boxes
• Lemonade
• Coconut Water (You can get flavoured coconut water for those kids who aren't keen on it!)

Bon Appetit! :)

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

  

Ride & Relax in This Awesome Little Tikes Wagon!

 

Now that spring is finally upon us, I want to share a product with you that I think is awesome! The Little Tikes Ride & Relax® Wagon is every parent's dream for a children's wagon, and is the epitome of practicality and fun! The most exciting and unique feature on this wagon is that with a simple flip of 1 side of the wagon, it instantly transforms into a bench!

 It's suitable for children approximately 18 months to 10 years of age, and comes with 2 seatbelts. It features QuietRide wheels, which are not completely silent but are much quieter than some wagons and other ride ons out there. It also has 6 cup holders, which is perfect for hot days when you want extra drinks with you to keep everyone hydrated.

In the middle section of the wagon, you can either flip up the flaps to create seats or keep the flaps closed and use it as a storage place or cooler. The kids can sit in it no matter which way you want it! When the flaps are in the seated position, the flaps provide great back support to the kids sitting in the wagon, and allows their feet to rest on the bottom. When using as a cooler, you will appreciate the drain plugs in the bottom for easy drainage and cleaning.

Once you are done using it as a children's wagon, you can actually use it as a flatbed utility wagon to haul items around your yard, etc. With a weight limit of 250lbs, most can easily take a seat and rest

on the wagon themselves while the kids play. It also allows for your older child to sit on the wagon along with your little one. I know my bigger child was excited about this as he has been told that he's too big for our former wagon. Not to mention how much stuff you could haul around once it's a flatbed with this higher weight limit. The wagon itself weighs 32lbs and is easily cleaned with soap and water.

The extra long handle can effortlessly be folded underneath the wagon to allow for better storage and transport. Some of these Ride & Relax wagons come with an umbrella that attaches to the side to assist with sun protection. Mine didn't come with this feature, so I cannot speak to how sturdy the umbrella would be in windy conditions. But it is a fabulous idea to help keep the little ones out of the sun. You will also find some reflective decals with your package to affix to the corners of the wagon to assist in making it a bit more visible in lower light conditions.

It took me about an hour in total to assemble, however I'm quite confident that it would take someone experienced assembling these items about 30mins or so. I usually leave tasks like this to my husband, but this time, I wanted to see how long it would take the average Mom to assemble.

In Canada, this wagon retails for approximately $130, and the Deluxe version with the Umbrella retails for approximately $150.

The only thing I think it's missing is locks for the wheels, as you have to be cautious that the wagon doesn't roll or blow away with you, being that it is such a smooth ride. That and maybe a cold drink or two! :)

Happy spring everyone!

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****