Thanks to Fruitshoot for sponsoring this post.
We have passed 100 days of school, and we’ve gotten to the point where I’m now encouraging the children to buy lunch whenever they can. We’ve highlighted all of the possible entrees on the rotating menu, but most days, I’m packing at least one lunch.
It’s getting tricky- the girl has definite things I cannot pack because they are babyish. The boy has certain things I cannot pack, because quite frankly, more lands on his shirt and all over his lunchbox instead of in his mouth.
When I do pack a “fun” lunch, with just the right amount of third grade maturity, I get big points. I also get big points when I find a drink they like to bring. Enter: Robinson’s Fruitshoot (we stick with the no sugar added varieties). Fruitshoot is a 10% juice drink that my kids love. With the 10.5 oz bottle, it’s a much better shot of hydration (why are schools such deserts?), and there’s no embarrassing preschool cartoon character on the package. Total bonus? There’s currently an Angry Birds download code on every bottle! You can learn more about Fruit Shoot and the Angry Birds promotion on Facebook.
Here’s a Kahuna Kids lunch with just a smidgen of pizzazz.
For the girl, cut outs of cheese are always a big hit, since cheese is her favorite food. Silicone baking cups in fun colors and shapes are an easy way to add a touch of fun, even when they don’t contain chocolate chips.
The boy is much simpler. Mostly, he just wants food, and if he can get a chuckle, so be it. For him, I like to make his initial out of pretzels or strips of cheese or dried fruit. It makes him very happy, and it’s oh-so-easy. The other thing that scores points with him are stickers- any old stickers will do. I try to keep a sheet near the lunch supplies so that I can jazz up packaged food every now and then. 
Again, adding a cool big-kid Fruitshoot makes him very happy! To learn more about Fruitshoot, visit their Facebook page. Available in select markets, it’s a great way to help kids stay hydrated.
Disclosure: Thanks to Fruitshoot for sponsoring this post. All adventures in healthy lunch packing, and opinions are my own.
Right? I look at Pinterest sometimes and just shake my head. No, no, no, I’m not making a work of art out of lunch. My kids don’t eat until 12:20 (school starts at 7:40) so really, they just want to eat (at least that’s what I tell myself).
We went through a Fruitshoot phase last year – good stuff! And I like your simple and easy and relatable lunch tips. I sometimes read blogs of other moms who pack lunches and feel like a #MomFailure because we don’t get all fancy. But stickers and cut out cheese? I bet I could do that!
When I serve pretzels along with a sandwich to my kids, it turns into a “birthday cake” and they stick them vertically like candles. Whatever it takes to EAT. THE. SANDWICH. So be it. Lol!
I love it! Things tend to happen with pretzel sticks here too. But I’m with you- whatever, just eat it all!
I love the designs on the kids lunches. My mom used to do that for me, too! I checked out their Facebook page and will have to look for the Fruit Shoot next time I’m out!
Thanks, Sara!
Just saw the commercial for this this morning! I am with you on not being creative with my kids lunches. I made them lunch and that is hard work. I was all about my kids buying lunch until I came and saw what they were eating at lunch. Who that it was a good idea for a kindergartner to pick and choose what they should eat for lunch. Needless to say, eating fruit (sometimes 2 servings), some random protein and cheese wasn’t going to cut it. So, making lunch it is. It is nice to find that they are eating something good and having variation. Variation is what gets me. I’m sure my kids would like a variation of Fruit shoot and I will be an awesome mom for at least a day in their eyes!
I hear you! How “breadsticks and cheese” passes as an entree, I don’t really know. My kids buy 1-2x per week, it’s all about balance!
I think we are on the same page where lunches are concerned. JUST EAT IT KIDS!
I love the happy sandwich faces!
right? Just eat. Please.
I’ve never heard of Fruitshoot. Is the drink really that green color?! I’m so over packing lunches, too. But I’m also over $2.50 a pop for the school lunch… Really, must they eat?
Love this post! I am so over becoming the creative genius for packing lunches. I usually keep it very simple and stick to things that my son really enjoys. I want him to eat it; I don’t want him to squirm whenever he sees his lunch bag. So I have been sticking to basics. Most times, it is just a container of Chef Boyardee, two snacks, and a juice box. My son is really picky so I make sure to pack things that he’ll actually eat. Otherwise, he just won’t eat. We can have the battles of the wills for breakfast and dinner, but I don’t want to subject his teachers to it.
I totally hear you! I’ve even broken down to sending those squirty applesauce pouches just to keep it simple/neater.
Great ideas, I get in a rut sometimes myself. 🙂