Your Impeccable School Lunchbox Game

Delish

Delish

Well-Known Member
Our local elementary school doesn't have a cafeteria so we have to pack lunches for the kids every day. This will be the case for at least the next decade. Making kids' lunches is about my least favorite household task, in part because I know that 80% of what I pack will go uneaten, but also because I ran out of new ideas months ago.

I struggle to keep it interesting for the kids so I at least try to make it entertaining for myself. You got lunchbox game?

Mini Babybell Cheese Beetle

[url=https://flic.kr/p/RkH1Bu][/url]
 
Double walled containers open things up for hot foods. Based on what @Dominos highlighted you may already be there. Too late on Friday for me to post up my kids meals but I will check back on Monday.
 
I still have this in my closet when I was a kid
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My kids are too old (both teens now) for me to really care. I'm not a fan of school lunches due to prices and choices (the can choose to have Twinkies and Snoballs for all I know if I give them money). But what I've been doing for years to to write up their weekly menu each Sunday. If there's something at school they really want, they compare to what's on our list and decide. Takes away the stress in the mornings and lets them help decide what they want.

Also Glad tupperware is boring, get some cool bento boxes, and use some interesting toothpicks or even throw in chopsticks from time to time. Also hot foods were the game changer for my kids, cold foods get old really fast. I'll run downstairs to snap some pics of what we're using now. My older is in HS and she still loves the "fancy" lunches. btw: sushi is no longer strange with the masses

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qclabrat said:
write up their weekly menu each Sunday
Click to expand...
I like this idea! Now I just need to get both kids reading.

I should point out that the Babybell Beetle came home uneaten. When I think about how much food goes to waste in lunchboxes, it makes me feel inclined to just send the kid to school with a pile of cabbage (he loves that shit) and call it a day.
 
we also didn't have a cafe till HS, they do have order through Food Days, from local vendors, but it's expensive.

here's a few things we use, most are less frequent now that I really don't care any longer

these are bombproof and have been used for over six years, a few times a week. I got these in Hong Kong, but they are made in Japan.
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stacking bento, the also make the more popular nested version, like the one Claire used in TBC.
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interesting utensils can go a long way, don't get things made in China, when it comes to plastic goods we always go with US or Japan
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lastly, here's the game changer and I'll send links on this later. Seaweed cutters. The panda rice balls are ridiculously fun. Eric has some game here and with the right tools your kids will beg you both for more lunch.
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checkout Daiso USA, they have most of the pieces to make these creations
Stick with the simple ones like these, so lunch making isn't such a chore, or do what you can the night before
I've tried variation on most of thes

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images
 
we live in a TASD - technically advanced school district (i made that up). The kids can no longer bring money to school, so it can't be stolen. i use my credit card and pre-load his account. He uses his code when he picks up food. it is logged, and i can go online and see his food choice. seems to do ok, choosing an apple over a bag of chips. Extra slice of pizza, and ice cream on the last day of the week.
we've been reviewing it with him forever - so i guess that worked. as in big brother is watching.

no sharing, no buying something for someone else!! heavens be damned if you want to split an ice cream sammich for your GF! school rules, not mine.

holy crap if he goes on a school trip that requires a lunch. has to be in a bag, has to have his name, can't have (<list>), must have (<list>).....
 
Rice balls. Brilliant. Like clay in the hands of a potter. Those pandas are on point, and really, who doesn't love panda food art?
 
My daughter is the consummate snacktime scammer. We always keep her well stocked but she eats like a bird so she constantly trades food for various dolls, stuffed animals and toys. She's gotten the mid-sized Ty dolls for a small pack of Chips Ahoy, which is about $4.50 net profit. Hopefully I can keep her from selling meth and becoming a drug lord by her teens.
 
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for your amusement in this discussion are my only two lunchboxes I had growing up

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and

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Its a wonder I survived.....
 
qclabrat said:
My kids are too old (both teens now) for me to really care. I'm not a fan of school lunches due to prices and choices (the can choose to have Twinkies and Snoballs for all I know if I give them money). But what I've been doing for years to to write up their weekly menu each Sunday. If there's something at school they really want, they compare to what's on our list and decide. Takes away the stress in the mornings and lets them help decide what they want.

Also Glad tupperware is boring, get some cool bento boxes, and use some interesting toothpicks or even throw in chopsticks from time to time. Also hot foods were the game changer for my kids, cold foods get old really fast. I'll run downstairs to snap some pics of what we're using now. My older is in HS and she still loves the "fancy" lunches. btw: sushi is no longer strange with the masses

lunch0.png
Click to expand...

MBM doppelganger alert in the blue hoodie - @stb222 - how did you miss this?
 
qclabrat said:
checkout Daiso USA, they have most of the pieces to make these creations
Stick with the simple ones like these, so lunch making isn't such a chore, or do what you can the night before
I've tried variation on most of thes

maxresdefault.jpg


fe9e0d28db0dd586986fc7c437179f8c.jpg


images
Click to expand...
Cool dad or scarey dad.... can't make up my mind...
 
The problem is if I do that fancy shit once, my kids will expect it every day. I seriously don't have the time for that. We're big on PB&J and Turkey and cheese. Luckily the day care doesn't have rules against peanut butter. Yet.

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