My wife and I pride ourselves on the fact that we are both hands-on and share responsibilities more or less equally from a work and home-point of view.  So I am the lucky one tasked with the kids’ breakfasts and lunch boxes for school and my constant dilemma with that responsibility is running out of ideas.  If I were to repeat the same lunch every day (which I do a lot) I then worry whether the kids will get bored.  Of course, another concern is always whether I put too much or too little.  After a year of getting used to making both lunch boxes, at this point for a middle schooler (grade 7) and another for Junior Kindergarten – I think I have a bit of a system going on.  Here are 5 points worth knowing when you are facing the same problem:

Knowing what each of your kids likes and dislikes.  I usually make sure that on 3 of the 5 school days, they get lunches they like and the other 2 at random stuff they either don’t like or never tried before.  This way I reintroduce things that they may not have liked before and the odd time they start liking it since with age comes a changing taste palette.  This also makes sure that they don’t get sick of food they do like at the moment (which they will eventually do anyway). 

• Do a 7 or 8-day rotation.  So plan out 7 or 8 lunch box meals instead of 5.  That way it would seem more like a random sequence to them rather than a pattern making it less boring.  Out of those 8 meals I typically do 5 with protein usually tuna salad, egg salad, cold-cut turkey or cooked chicken pieces, beef patty or roast beef, and then scrambled or fried egg on toast).  The other 3 days I do non-protein such as a hummus wrap or sandwich, cream cheese with bagel, and potato and cheese parogies.  That pretty much sums up my main meal in the lunch box and puts it in a sequence that makes it less boring, I usually do protein every other day, and in between put in the non-protein options.

• Along with my main sandwich or meal, I put two veggies (almost always baby carrots and cucumbers), and a fruit for the little one (either apple slices, pears, or grapes).  For the older guy, I put a baby-bel cheese round.  Some types of crackers like goldfish or just regular round crackers.  Then add a few guilty pleasures like a chocolate granola bar, bear paws, or little sweet crackers (i.e. animal crackers).  Sometimes mini rice cakes, or chips and I always make sure I prioritize leftovers from the day before (fires, pastries, pizza – cut into pieces, chicken nuggets, etc.) to fill up the box.

• I also make use of cheap, although a little junky, school fundraisers like pizza slices or snack tickets that raise funds for the school and one or two fewer things to worry about and put in the lunch box.  They are cheaper than the food I put in, less healthy but give the kids something to look forward to once a week – usually no more than that.

• I avoid complicated foods, juice boxes, and too many dips and sauces – but that’s my kids’ preference.  I find any hearty, saucy, and wholesome meals they can get when they come back home, along with whatever food they didn’t finish up from their lunch box (usually the veggies).  That helps me out with one less thing to worry about for food when they come back.

• Other things I put in (which may not all be a great healthy option) are the odd Halloween candy packets like M&Ms, smarties, or starbursts about once or twice a week.  Dates are also a great snack option (without the pit of course).  I also ventured into putting popcorn as an option with mixed results.

Overall I think the key is making a system where it’s repetitious for you but seems random for them so it’s easy for you and less boring for them.  Make use of any ready-made food options and leftovers as your first option, and a mix of protein and non-protein main meals that don’t require too much fuss for you or your kids to eat.  Don’t shy away from simple hand-held options that don’t require cold or hot temperatures, and are easy to store.

Would love to hear if there are any other ideas, comment below.