Add Some Fun to Your Child's School Lunch

Do you pack your child's lunch for school? Do you feel like you are in a rut, choosing the same foods, over and over? If you feel that way, chances are your child might feel that way, too. But, with some kids, that's the way they want it to be-some kids will only eat one kind of sandwich or one type of fruit. Even if your child is a little more adventurous than that, it's likely that lunch can get a little boring at times. So, what can a parent do to add some liveliness to the lunchbox?

First, let's tackle the food. Here are some ideas that can help add some fun to the food choices of even the pickiest eaters:

Cut the sandwich in a creative way.

Try cutting your child's sandwich into strips, either horizontally or diagonally. Or, use cookie cutters to make a unique shape-but, if you choose this option, cut the bread before making the sandwich. That way, you can use the extra bits of bread to make bread crumbs instead of just throwing the extra sandwich away.

Give your child an assemble-your-own lunch.

Put some crackers (such as Ritz or Townhouse) in your child's lunchbox. Add in a couple of pieces of American cheese and lunchmeat, cut into squares. Now your child can make his own cracker sandwiches! This is a lot like those Lunchables that are sold in grocery stores, but much cheaper and just as good.

Ditch the bread.

Does your child like ham and cheese? Then make ham and cheese roll-ups! Take a slice of ham, put a slice of cheese on top, and then roll it up-no bread required. This idea works for any type of lunchmeat and cheese sandwich that your child might like-turkey and cheese, bologna and cheese, and salami and cheese, for example.

Change the bread.

Make your child's sandwich on a different type of bread. Most kids like pita bread and tortillas (which come in different flavors)-or, maybe you have some dinner rolls or biscuits left over from dinner the night before?

Try pressed bread.

This is easier than it sounds. All you have to do is squash the bread really flat with your fingers before adding the sandwich fixings. Sometimes the crusts won't flatten well, so you may want to cut those off, but bread can be pressed down to the flatness of a pita. Top the bread with a thin layer of what your child likes, and then roll it up.

So, what else can a parent do to add some excitement to the lunchbox? Add something unexpected, something other than food. Try one of these ideas:

Festive napkins

Find ones that match a holiday that is coming up, or simply add one that is a different color or pattern than usual.

Sheet of stickers

Kids love stickers, so surprise your child with a sheet of fun or funky stickers in his lunchbox.

Riddle or joke

Write down a funny joke or riddle on a paper. Your child will enjoy the humor, and he can share it with his friends.

New pencil, pen, or eraser

This would be a good lunchbox bonus-and a useful one, too! Try to find a fun or funky one that your child will really like.

A note from Mom or Dad

Include a note that says, "I Love You!" or "Keep up the good work!" or anything that will brighten your child's day.

Homemade coupon

Write your child a coupon that they can redeem after school for a fun activity-perhaps they can play board games with Mom and Dad or they can have extra video game time.

A surprise clue

Maybe you are planning on taking your child somewhere after school-include a clue about the destination in your child's lunch.

Of course, you don't want to put one of these special items in your child's lunch every day-if you do that, the surprises won't be so special anymore. Just add one in every now and then.

Be creative with your child's lunch, and he will surely appreciate it. It doesn't take much time on your part, and it will show your child that you really care. So, get out of that rut and make lunch more exciting!