Guest Picks: Make Lunch Packing Fun
Until recently, I dreaded packing lunches. I mostly hated fumbling around looking for containers and lids, not to mention deciding what to pack during the morning rush. But that all changed this summer when I bought the kids bento-style lunch boxes that made packing lunches easier and more fun. Here are a few of my favorite lunch-packing products, plus a few I'd like to try. — Elaina from Fun Finds for Mom
Photos & Products
LunchSkins Reusable Snack Bag, Aqua Elephant - $7.50
I switched to waste-free lunch boxes for the kids, but I still pack their snacks in Ziploc bags because they eat snacks at recess and don't want to lug the containers out. It's high time I switch over to reusable baggies like these cute Lunchskins. You can even wash them in the dishwasher!
Aqua Dot PlanetBox Lunch Boxes - $69.95
I bought PlanetBoxes this summer, and they have revolutionized my mornings. Hop over to my blog and see a collage of lots of my packed PlanetBox lunches.
Steeltainer Leak-proof Stainless Steel Compact Size Container, Blue - $11.95
Years ago, Steeltainer sent me a few products to review on my blog. I loved their quality and functionality. They've since changed their products, and the new stuff looks even better. And I'm a big fan of clip-top containers, as they're generally leak proof and easy for little hands to open.
Autospout Kids Striker Water Bottle - $10.99
I just bought a three pack of these Contigo kids bottles. The colors are fabulous. (I can't find the colors I bought online, so I'll post a pic in the comments section.)
Weelicious Lunches: Think Outside the Lunch Box with More Than 160 Happier Meals - $17.99
I'm a longtime fan of Catherine McCord and her kids recipe site Weelicious. She just came out with a new book filled with delicious recipes to inspire creative lunch packing. I made her granola bars yesterday and plan to make pretzel bites next.
Uki-Uki Animal Lunch Picks - $2.80
My sister lives in Japan, so I have access to lots of kawaii (cute) things like these food picks. I like to stick them in cubes of cheese or cucumber coins for my daughter.
Freezer Packs - $9
I can tell that my current ice blocks aren't going to make it much longer before they start oozing their inner goo. I think I'll replace them with some of these fun shapes from Pottery Barn Kids.
Sistema Klip-It Rectangular Split Food Container - $4.49
This Sistema Klip-It is my new favorite snack container. It has two separate sections for packing two types of food, or one snack for my son and one for my daughter to share in the back seat when I pick them up from school.
Insulated Lunch Bag, Blue - $20.99
LunchBots now come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. There's even a carrying case to load up! This one looks like it would be great for a grown-up lunch at work too.
Yumbox Leakproof Bento Lunch Box Container, Framboise Pink
I know a lot of people aren't ready to fork over the big bucks for a PlanetBox. This Yumbox looks like a more affordable alternative. It doesn't have a carrying case, but their website says that it fits in a standard-size thermal lunch case.
Double Thick Unbleached Organic Flannel Unpaper Towels by Gnome Clothes - $10.50
My daughter's best friend always packs a cloth napkin and lays it out like a placemat at lunchtime.
Spencer Bento Box Containers - $16.50
If your kids like to carry a standard lunch box, this bento-style container fits right in. My friend Jessica is a nutritionist and recently wrote a blog post about using these to make your own healthy "homemade Lunchables."
FunBites, Green Squares, Red Hearts & Orange Triangles - $29
Um, I need these. I like making pretty lunches, especially when it's as easy as stamping food into fun shapes. Plus, I know my kids eat more when I cube meat and cheese or scoop watermelon with a melon baller.
EasyLunchboxes 3-compartment Bento Lunch Box Containers, Classic - $13.95
People who use these EasyLunchboxes absolutely rave about them. At $14 for four, they're certainly priced just right.
Wonder Sandwich Sealer N Decruster - $6.94
For years, I resisted cutting the crusts off sandwiches, but I finally realized that if this small change will get a kid to eat their sammie, then why not? This little gadget cuts crusts and seals the edges together to keep the filling inside.
Sistema Klip-It Lunch Cube To-go Containers with Color Accented Clip - $8.29
I picked up one of these Sistema lunch cubes this summer, and while I haven't had a chance to use it much, I like that all of the separate compartments are part of one snap-top container.
Animal Donburi Cups - EUR 2.99
I bet these little animal containers would fit perfectly into the PlanetBoxes I already have. I'm thinking stocking stuffers.
Lunch Mail for Lunch Box - $8
My kids' school had Curriculum Night last week, and I left a little note for each of them on their desks for the next day. They were so delighted to get them, and it made me realize that I need to start leaving little surprise notes in their lunches too. This set of "Lunch Mail" notes is pretty sweet.
Mackenzie Aqua Peace Lunch Bag - $22.50
If you or your kids like a "regular" lunch box, I have been really happy with the quality of Pottery Barn's bags. They hold up for years and are easy to clean.
Next: End the School-Lunch-Prep Chaos
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