What to put in a preschoolers lunchbox!!

I've had so many people google "kids lunch ideas" that I just have to blog about a few lunch ideas for toddlers/kindergartners!! 

My grandson started preschool when he was three.  He went five days a week, and we were required to send his lunch every day!!  I remember quite well "googling" lunch ideas, and truthfully, there aren't a lot out there. 

I know for his actual main "dish"....I would send some of these

Mini Corn Dogs ~ cooked that morning and then wrapped in tin foil...they stayed warm until lunch time

I usually buy the State Fair brand...and the box comes with about 40 and he would eat about five or six per meal....so it lasts for a little while

Pizza slices ~ I would buy the $2.50 kids cuisine frozen lunches, cook the pizzas, wrap them in foil and send them...HE LOVED THOSE...they are the perfect size for a 2 ~ maybe 4 year old

If you get the one with the brownie you can send it along as well!!

There have been times where we sent a bag of sliced cheese, sliced ham, and some crackers so he could make his own little lunchables :)  Lunchables aren't that expensive to buy really....but it's still way cheaper to just make your own!!

 

I believe there was a time or two I made him a grilled cheese sandwich and let it cool and then wrapped it up in foil....one of his favorite sandwiches (I've been told I make the best grilled cheese this side of the Mississippi....it's not that complicated but I will share the recipe at the bottom of this blog)

For the "extras" to go along with his meals we always sent a veggie or fruit of some kind

Mini Carrot sticks with Ranch

Celery with Peanut Butter

Dried Mixed Fruit

Go Gurts

Mandarin Orange Cups

The only drawback to these is there is a LOT of juice in them

We would often buy the box assortment of these....

 

He loved these!!  They are kind of hard to find, and I would find them in the veggie section.....there are grapes, cheese and crackers in them!!

The big problem we ran into was having a way him to bring ketchup or ranch...I found these containers the other day at ContainerStore.com and intend on buying a few....

Yay, a way to pack a snack or lunch with a dip

As far as drinks go, we would always pack two for him, he is a bigger boy and seems to stay a little thirstier than his little friends.  You can send anything from water,milk,  capri suns, juices, or tea.  It is generally frowned upon to send any sort of soft drink :)

Tomorrow I will post what I find that is new and cool for lunches!!  We all need some new motivation....but these old standbys are also fantastic too!!

Something I have found for this year is
BENTO LUNCH BOXES

I LOVE THESE



and along with these I have found BENTO BOILED EGG SHAPERS....Payton loves boiled eggs and I know he would love some shaped like animals

Here is how I make my award winning grilled cheese sandwiches!!

Here is what you need

Bread

Sliced  cheese (I use Kraft, and 2 slices per sandwich

Margarine

Small frying pan

Butter one side of your bread

Drop about two teaspoons of margarine into your frying pan and turn to medium high

When it starts sizzling a little drop your bread, butter side down into the pan

Place cheese slices on bread

Place other piece of bread, butter side UP onto the other bread and cheese

Mash it down with a spatula

Let it sit for about a minute and a half and then flip

keep flipping it and mashing it about every other minute or so until it turns golden brown

THEY ARE YUMMY AND YOUR FAMILY WILL LOVE YOU<3

For other ideas such as first day photos or traditions please visit my link

Cute back to school ideas


WHAT TO PACK IN LUNCHES ~ PART TWO

Over the last few days I have come across TONS of links for great ideas for lunches....I will share a few below!!

Happy Lunching!! :)
Imitation Chick Fil A Chicken Nuggets

 

Nine Lunch Box Themes