Any chore that has to be done repeatedly becomes something dreaded. Laundry, vacuuming, dusting, grocery shopping, just to name a few. If you pack lunch for yourself or your kids every day, you probably dread that, too.
So what can you do to make a mundane chore more tolerable?
Think of ways to simplify it, or make it fun.
In an effort to streamline our mornings, I’ve collected some essentials for easy packed lunches. These items help to keep lunch items organized right where we need them. Having the right equipment on hand saves us precious time and greatly reduces morning stress!
Essentials for Easy Packed Lunches
The perfect lunch box can mean different things to different people. Think about the types of foods you like to take for lunch. If you typically pack sandwiches, a simple flat lunch box will work. If you like soups, you’ll need a lunchbox that securely holds a thermos. For salad and leftover lovers, you’ll want an insulated lunchbox. You might prefer a lunchbox with a shoulder strap if you’ll also be carrying a backpack, briefcase, or purse. If you’re packing lunch for a young child consider a bento box style.
Divided containers make packing lunches simple. We also use ours for storing leftovers, and they’re great for storing craft items, too!
Keep some smaller lidded containers available for packing fruit, nuts, or other small treats and side dishes.
Enjoy a hot lunch without a trip to the microwave! Not only will a thermos keep your soup warm, but you can pack other hot items inside like hot dogs, chicken nuggets, spaghetti, or cooked veggies.
Keep your lunches cold, healthy, and fresh with a cold pack. Great for packing in coolers, too.
Use clear storage bins in your refrigerator to hold juice boxes, cheese sticks, fruit, yogurt, and puddings. They come in several sizes and can be used in your pantry, too!
No more ketchup spills! These tiny disposable cups are perfect for dipping sauces and salad dressings.
Silicone baking cups can create divided sections in any flat container. Use these for packing things like crackers, sliced cheese, and lunchmeats for a cracker-stacking lunch. Small snacks like nuts, pretzels, and chips fit nicely in these as well. You can also bake cupcakes or muffins in them!
You’ll find all sorts of cute animal, puzzle, or heart shaped sandwich cutters, but my favorites are the Wonder Sandwich Sealer N Decruster and the Pampered Chef Cut n Seal.
Who doesn’t love to eat with a spork? This universal utensil is great for packing lunches and for camping or hiking trips. You can even get them with a built-in knife edge for cutting.
Which items do you use for making easy packed lunches?
If you use other items that make packing lunches easy, I would love to hear them!
Please leave your suggestions in the comments below.
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What to read next:
Ultimate List of Lunch Box Ideas
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