13 Lunch Box Essentials for Easy Packed School Lunches
Make a chore you do every day a little easier by getting these lunch box essentials for easy packed lunches.
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.
A little organization and the right equipment can go a long way in making lunch time meal prep easier. Avoid the last-minute scramble of packing lunches and incorporate these lunch box essentials into your morning routine. 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!
13 Lunch Box Essentials for Easy Packed Lunches
The Perfect Water Bottle
At the beginning of every school year, we get each kid a new water bottle. It’s one of those must-have school essentials that serves double duty not only for packing lunches, but for sports or other after-school activities as well.
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A Great Lunch Box or Lunch Bag
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 a simple sandwich, a slim design 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. Here are some of my favorite lunch boxes.
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Bento Boxes
Bento boxes are a great option for a young child’s lunch box. You can fill the different compartments with a variety of foods to encourage healthy eating. A bento style lunch is perfect for small hands and a great way to easily pack a well-rounded meal.
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Divided Food Storage Containers with Lids
Divided plastic containers make packing lunches simple. They can also serve double duty for storing leftovers, and they’re great for storing craft items, too (triple-duty)!
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Small Lidded Food Storage Containers
Keep some smaller lidded containers available for packing fruit, nuts, or other small treats and side dishes. They also work great for storing dips like peanut butter, cream cheese, or plain Greek yogurt.
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A Great Thermos
Nothing says, “I love you” like packing a hot lunch, and they won’t even need a trip to the microwave! Not only will a thermos keep your soup warm, but you can pack other hot food inside like a hot dog, chicken nuggets, spaghetti, ramen, or cooked veggies.
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Reusable Ice Pack
Keep your lunches cold, healthy, and fresh with a cold pack. Great for packing in coolers and treating boo-boos, too.
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Refrigerator Organizers
Use clear storage bins in your refrigerator to hold juice boxes, cheese sticks, fruit, yogurt, puddings, or any other go-to ingredients for packing lunches. They make it so much easier to grab things quickly for packing a lunch in the mornings and for kids to grab healthy snacks in the afternoons. They come in several sizes and can be used in your pantry as well.
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Reusable or Disposable Sauce Cups with Lids
No more ketchup spills! These tiny disposable cups are perfect for dipping sauces and salad dressings. Include healthy options like peanut butter and plain Greek yogurt to sneak in some healthy proteins.
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Silicone Baking Cups
Silicone baking cups are a great tool for creating divided sections in any flat container. Use these for packing things like crackers, sliced cheese, and lunch meats 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!
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Sandwich Crust Remover
Sandwich cutters come in all sorts of fun shapes like cute animals, puzzle pieces, or heart-shapes. These make quick work of not only removing crusts but also turning a plain sandwich into a cute shape that is magically more appetizing to your picky eater.
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Sporks and Utensils
Who doesn’t love eating with a spork? This universal utensil is great for packing lunches. No matter what’s packed for lunch, they will have the perfect utensil. Sporks are also great for camping or hiking trips. You can even get them with a built-in knife edge for cutting.
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Lunch Box Notes
When our kids were in preschool (before they could read), I would draw something on their napkins. As they got older I included lunch box notes when packing their lunches. It’s an easy way to encourage them when you can’t be with them. You never know when they’re having a particularly challenging day, and these special reminders are a great way to stay connected to your children. Our kids are adults now, but they still remember the lunch box notes I packed with their lunches. Little things can make a big impact!
It’s the Little Things
Printable Lunch Box Notes
These printable lunch box notes make it easy to include a little encouragement in your child’s lunch box every day. They also include blank cards so you can customize your notes.
With the variety of lunch containers available, it’s easier than ever to pack a nutritious meal that suits your child’s preferences, whether they prefer a hot lunch or a cold one. By prioritizing balanced nutrition and incorporating diverse food groups, you can ensure that your child’s lunch not only satisfies their hunger but also fuels their body with essential nutrients.
Remember, investing in quality lunch containers not only keeps your food fresh but also promotes sustainability. So, whether you’re packing leftovers from last night’s dinner or assembling a fresh salad, thoughtful choices in lunch items and containers can make all the difference in your daily routine.
With the right tools and ingredients, lunchtime becomes an opportunity to nourish both body and mind, setting the tone for a successful day ahead.
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! Drop a comment with your suggestions below.
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