Packing a lunch can get boring. Don't get stuck making that same peanut butter and jelly sandwich day after day for a picky eater. Take control with a few, cool tools and ideas that will keep the zest in a packed lunch. Kids love surprises in their lunchboxes no matter how big or small!
Try using large cookie cutters to cut out interesting sandwich shapes; younger kids love this idea. Use more wraps instead of plain, old sandwiches. Children love to have fun with food and parents just want to see their kids eat healthy, so go ahead, make it as fun as possible.
Fun Fish & Chips Lunch
Try to create a lunch menu for the week that offers fish at least once. Of course, twice would be even better. For a fun fish & chips lunch, take a large fish cookie cutter and cut two slices of bread into fish shapes. Stir together tuna fish, mayo, curry powder and lemon juice to make a delish tuna salad. Layer chopped lettuce, cheese of choice and tuna salad to create tuna fish salad sandwich.
For chips, slice a sweet potato into thin slices. Place on lightly greased baking sheet and bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Lightly brush each slice with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place 12 chips into a baggie and serve for lunch with tuna sandwiches.
Chicken & Hummus Wrap
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts (skinless)
- 3 10-inch whole wheat tortillas
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- dash of salt & pepper
- container of hummus
- 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumbers
- 1/3 cup plain yogurt
Directions:
- Combine oil, lemon juice, paprika, salt & pepper in bowl. Mix well.
- Brush both sides of chicken breasts with oil mixture, then place on broiler pan.
- Broil 5 inches from heat for 6 minutes. Turn chicken and broil for 8 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Cool for a minute; slice chicken into strips.
- Spread hummus on one side of each tortilla, add chicken, cucumber, tomatoes and yogurt. Roll up each tortilla and cut into halves. Roll in tin foil to pack in lunchbox. Serves 4.
Surprise Cheese & Fruity Stuffed Pita
Ingredients:
- 2 whole wheat pita rounds (small)
- 1/2 cup sliced strawberries
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh sliced pineapple
- 1/4 cup white raisins
- 3 Tbsp sliced almonds, pecans, pistachios or walnuts; toasted
Directions:
- Cut pitas in half and gently separate to form pockets.
- Combine strawberries, cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, raisins and pineapples together in bowl. Spoon mixture into four pita pockets.
- Sprinkle toasted nuts on top (optional). Serves 4.
Choose different ingredients to keep these recipes fresh, changing up fruit, cheeses and nuts for variety. For more ideas on fun foods for kids, you may enjoy the following articles:
Fun Food to Make for a Child's Party
Vicki F. Chavis - Growing up in Asia, Europe and North America left Vicki with a love of cuisine, history, language, fashion and travel. Today she writes on ...
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