This has been the summer that I’ve learned to make an excellent packed lunch for my toddler children!
I realised early on in being a twin toddler Mum that mini picnic lunches for days out have a lot of advantages.
Money saving, no waiting around for food to arrive with a pack of angry toddlers waiting and often more healthy than the choices in restaurants (they wouldn’t complain about fishfingers and chips EVERY meal but I’m not sure that’s the best choice for a varied diet).
I use plastic take-away containers (that I buy on Amazon to use for freezer meals) to keep sandwiches safe. I also use some silicone muffin cases to keep little fruits and bits and bobs separate.
These lunchbox sets are from a company called Stuck on You.
Trying to keep the lunchbox picnics varied has kept me on my toes, here’s some suggestions that work for me and don’t require a cupboard full of strange equipment or ingredients..
Carbs, Protein and Calcium
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- Sandwiches cut into shapes using cookie cutters.
- Triangle sandwiches.
- Wraps filled and cut into pinwheels. (I tend to use cream cheese in these to keep them held together.)
- Breadsticks. (Tesco do mini bags of wholemeal ones, which go down very well.)
- Mini omelettes made in muffin tins and cooled.
- Cold cooked sausages.
- Strips of ham.
- Croissant pieces.
- Rice cakes.
- Cold pasta with sauce or pesto.
- Chunks of cheese.
- Pots of grated cheese.
- Yoghurt pouches or tubes.
- Babybel cheeses.
- Mini bagels with fillings.
- Wraps sandwiched with fillings and cut into triangles.
- Chunks of cooked chicken.
- Pots of hummus with vegetable sticks to dip.
- Hard boiled egg pieces.
- Potato salad.
Fruit and Veg
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- Strips of peppers.
- Strips of cucumber.
- Blueberries.
- Raspberries.
- Grapes.
- Boxes of raisins.
- Small apples.
- Cold cooked vegetables. (Weirdly my children seem to prefer them like this to on their plate at dinner time.)
- Pots of ‘tinned’ peaches or pears.
- Cherry tomatoes.
Treats
- Flapjacks.
- Mini cheddars.
- Quavers.
- Barny cakes. (These are supposed to be a healthy cake, my two just love them as 1. they are in the shape of a bear and 2. they come in a packet!)
- Popcorn.
- Malt loaf (we LOVE Soren.)
- Scones (sweet or savoury.)
- Pots of jelly.
- Mini muffins.
- Pots of rice pudding.
I hope you found our list useful.
What would you add and what’s your favourite toddler lunchbox idea?
Sophie says
These look tremendous! What an opportunity xx
Life at the Little Wood says
Such brilliant ideas Sarah! I have saved them, and will be using you for constant inspiration! Thanks so much poppet xx
Honest Mum says
Gorgeous lunchtime ideas, I’m now really hungry! #thelist x
Dave (The DADventurer) says
Some great ideas. Also made me really hungry reading it!
Mum Reinvented says
Great ideas! I’m always stuck for ideas for my little ones lunch so may pinch a few of yours
MummysCrochetWorld says
Lovely ideas! I love the idea of using cookie cutters on the sandwiches #the list
Katrina @ Beau Twins says
I adore this! I am always trying to find news things for the girls to eat. They love all things healthy and lots of fruit. Brilliant idea to showcase in a post – now in my favorites on computer for when I get stuck! #TheList x
everything mummy says
fab list I’m always looking for some new ideas for lunch, little bit gutted i missed your comp those lunch boxes are awesome!!!!
You Baby Me Mummy says
These lunch boxes are super cute! There are such a lot of good ideas here, Baby is such a fussy eater, so some of these might work. Thanks so much for linking up to #TheList x
Steph @MisplacedBrit says
Fantastic sum up post with tones of great options! It’s easy to forget that there are SO MANY other things that can go in a lunch box!
Great tips, thanks.
Kylielovesthis says
Love this, thank you (and how cute are your kids?)?. My 7 and 3yr old love Barney bear cakes too, as a special treat (check out the sugar on the ingredients list, they’re anything but healthy!). If yours aren’t allergic to nuts, try Nak’d bars either whole or cut into little chunks. My picky 7yr old loves their Cocoa Delight (tastes just like a brownie!) and my 3yt old prefers the Cashew Cookie one.
Kylie says
Thankyou so much I had no idea what o putting me fussy 2 1/2 yr old pack up box and this has help loads appreciated
Sarah Barnes says
Ahhh that’s lovely to hear – thank you!!
Kirsty says
First year making pack up lunches and this list is so useful. My 3 yo already scoffs your cheese muffins so I’m sure theses idea will go down a treat.