3 Tips For Packing School Lunch To Make Your Life Easier

Packing school lunch involves a lot of planning and decision-making. And as busy parents, you already have a lot on your plate!

In this article, we provide three helpful tips to make school lunch prep easier and satisfy even the pickiest eaters.

1. Use Containers That Are Easy to Open

Parents may be shocked to realize how long it takes younger children to get their food open – if they can at all. While the lunch aides do their best to get around and help kids open their lunch boxes, without question, there are many kids who don’t eat some of their food because they can’t get the packaging or container open.

Choosing foods with simple packaging, or packing foods yourself in easy-to-open reusable containers, will help ensure your child actually gets to eat their lunch.

Consider a Bento Box

If you’re looking for an easily portable container to pack your kid’s lunch in, a bento box is a pretty solid bet. A bento box is a compartmentalized container with two or more different sections, making dividing food easy. Bento boxes are great for school lunches since they're easy for parents to fill and quick for kids to open.

If you want a designated bento box, you can find them in almost any store. But bento lunch boxes can be as simple as a plastic storage container already in your cupboard. The containers typically feature a clip-lock that’s easy to open and close, which is important for small hands. If you prefer to purchase one, there is a wide selection of bento box styles available, from the number of compartments a box has to fun designs and colors.

Once the lid is off the box, they can start eating their lunch immediately. The different compartments mean you can hit all the major food groups in a single container – from fruits and veggies to protein and carbs. Sending a taco bowl or salad? A bento works great at keeping ingredients fresh until they’re ready to be combined and eaten. If you're sending separate food items, like leftover pasta and fruit, a bento will prevent any undesired mixing from happening while kids move around.

Buy the Right Lunch Bag

Beyond just choosing the right container to pack their food in, you also need to make sure you're choosing the right bag to hold it all.

Their lunch bag should be easy to carry but still big enough to hold everything. That includes their food container or containers, beverage, and any necessary source of cold or heat to keep their lunch at the right temperature. If you are trying to shove things into an ill-fitting lunch box, packing school lunch will be a frustrating experience.

2. Plan and Prep Lunches Ahead of Time

Prepping foods for lunch boxes in advance is a huge help. Sure, this takes some extra time on the weekend or after grocery shopping, but that’s time you’ll save in the morning or the night before school. Having items prepped and readily available makes it easy for anyone to pack lunch in the morning, whether it's you, your spouse, a babysitter, or even your child packing their own lunch!

Easy Foods to Pack Ahead

Even if you don’t pack your child’s full lunch the night before school, you can save time in the morning by prepping different foods ahead of time that you can just grab and pop in their lunch box. Here are some of the easiest options you can get ready the night before:

• Fruits and Veggies:

  Wash and cut these ahead of time so you can portion them out easily while packing the lunch.

• Dairy:

  Grab a cheese stick or container of yogurt and toss them into an insulated lunch bag or with an ice pack and send them on their way. They’re perfect as a lunch side dish or snack, provide some protein, and don’t take up much space in a lunch bag.

• Salty Snacks:

  Mixable and easily pre-packable, foods like crackers, nuts, and chips can be put in a container the night before and be ready to go in the morning.

3. Try Packing a Hot Lunch

Let’s face it, it’s easy to run out of school lunch ideas and get stuck alternating between turkey and PB&J sandwiches. Consider mixing it up by incorporating some hot lunch ideas. You may not realize how easy it is to do, and how many more options you’ll have.

Sending a hot lunch is a game-changer. A hot lunch makes it so easy to pack in the protein young kids need by sending them with foods like leftover chicken or meatballs. And there is something comforting about a hot meal.

How to Keep Lunches Hot

While packing a hot lunch sounds great in theory, some parents are hesitant to do so because they think the food will go cold by the time their kids eat. What if there’s no microwave in the cafeteria? Don’t let this limit you! There are plenty of different products and methods that you can use to lock in heat. It’s important to remember that no matter the method, if you’re packing a warm lunch, it’s crucial to keep the temperature of the food above 140°F.

Insulated Containers

One effective way to keep food warm is a Thermos or similar insulated container built to keep food tasting like it was freshly cooked. It’s perfect for soups, stews, and other liquids (and bonus, many models already come with a foldable spoon). But pastas, meat, and other solid foods can also stay warm with the help of a Thermos.

Prepping a Thermos for lunchtime use is quick and easy. Fill your container with boiling water and let it sit for at least five minutes while you prep or get ready in the morning. Pour the water out, then add hot food and close it up quickly so the walls of the Thermos don’t cool.

Note: Your Thermos or container should come with instructions, which you should read and follow.

Insulated Bags

If you don’t have a Thermos on hand, an insulated lunch bag can keep your food warm for a few hours. While they don’t create heat, the material and lining can lock warmth in and keep food tasting fresh out of the oven. These bags are most effective if you pack the food while it's piping hot.

Insulated bags come in a wide range of sizes so you can find one that best meets your child's needs. There are smaller bags that will easily fit in a backpack. If your kid has after-school activities, a larger bag can carry their lunch, additional snacks, and a dinner-to-go if needed. Many also come with side pockets if you need something at room temperature.

Hot Water Bottles

If you’re in a pinch, a small hot water bottle can fit in a lunch box and keep their lunch warm. Because they’re often made of rubber, they’re flexible and can easily fit within the walls of a lunch bag.

Before using your hot water bottle, check for any holes or tears. Bring water to a boil and then let it cool for a bit before pouring it in. Once your hot water bottle is full, release any excess air and screw the stopper. Before putting it in your child’s lunch bag, make sure to dry the outside of the bag and check that the stopper is tight enough that it won’t leak or your child can’t open it.

Easy Hot School Lunch Ideas

Once you understand how to keep food warm, it opens a whole new world of possibilities with lunch ideas! Here are a few easy options using Farm Rich classics:

Meatballs

Meatballs are a perfect staple ingredient that can easily be elevated with some creativity. Keep a few bags of Farm Rich Flame-Broiled Homestyle Meatballs in the freezer so you have them on hand to prep and pack as a hot lunch. The meatballs are microwavable, have 11 grams of protein per serving, and can easily be packed in a Thermos to keep them warm.

If you want an easy lunch, you can serve the meatballs plain or even add marinara sauce or enchilada sauce and cheese.

Looking for other ways to incorporate meatballs into your child’s lunch? Our Savory Cheesy Meatball Mac & Cheese mixes protein-packed Farm Rich meatballs with a favorite classic, Mac and Cheese. This dish can easily last for multiple meals and can be pre-portioned out.

If your child likes barbecue, Apple Butter Crockpot Meatballs taste great with grits, broccoli, or any other vegetable!

If you want to incorporate extra vegetables into your child’s meal, these lettuce wraps pair our protein-rich meatballs with crisp lettuce and peppers.

Mozzarella Sticks

What kid doesn’t want mozzarella sticks for lunch? Farm Rich Breaded Mozzarella Sticks are ready in under 15 minutes, so preparing them the night before is quick and easy. In addition to our traditional Mozzarella sticks, we also offer Italian Sausage Mozzarella Sticks with more protein and flavor.

Mozzarella sticks are delicious on their own, but if you want to get creative, you can try one of our delicious and easy-to-follow recipes, like Roast Beef Mozzarella Sticks that combine melty cheese and meat into one easy-to-pack and satisfying meal. Don’t forget to pack your child’s favorite dipping sauce!

If your child likes cheese, they’ll love this Cheesy Pizza Casserole recipe that features a layer of mozzarella sticks covered with their favorite pizza toppings.

Our Ham and Cheese Turnovers with Apples recipe mixes sweet apples, delicious pastry dough, and stretchy mozzarella sticks for a flavorful lunch that helps your child stay full.

Want a Breakfast-y Twist on Lunch?

Who says you can't have breakfast for lunch?

We carry a wide variety of breakfast foods that are easy to prepare ahead of time and pack in your child’s lunchbox. Our High Protein Cinnamon French Toast Bites are portable, tasty, and filled with 12 grams of protein in one serving.

On the savory side, our Sausage Stuffed Biscuits pack 12 grams of protein and are flavorful, mixing buttery pastry with eggs, cheddar cheese, and sausage. We also offer bite-sized Loaded Hashbrown Bites with bacon or sausage that have 7 grams of protein per serving.

Need More Recipe Inspiration?

Packing lunch doesn't have to be overwhelming or dull. Find a routine and some easy, quick, staple recipes that will fill your kid up and keep them satisfied. With Farm Rich products and some creativity, packing lunch can be transformed into an easy part of your night. If you liked the recipes above and need more meal inspiration, check out our recipes page.

For an even easier solution (and fewer dishes), find some easy-to-make finger foods. Scroll through our products to find the perfect lunch idea for your family.

If you’re curious about what other tips, tricks, and suggestions we have, be sure to look through our other blogs, covering everything from DIY street food to easy air fryer recipes, and more.