School is officially in session, which means lunchbox duty for parents. If you’ve got a fussy eater or ‘a lot on your plate’, you may need to think outside of the box. Plan the ultimate snack packs with these game-changing lunchbox hacks that kids will love.

1. Prep Like a Pro

Take some time on Sundays to prepare meals for the week ahead. Wash and cut fruits and veggies, portion out snacks, and cook items like pasta that can be repurposed for multiple meals. Use stackable containers to keep everything organised in the fridge. Bonus tip: freeze sandwiches – they’ll defrost perfectly by lunchtime.

2. Make It Bite-Sized

Kids are more likely to eat foods that are easy to handle. Cut sandwiches into fun shapes using cookie cutters, slice fruits and veggies into sticks or cubes, and opt for mini muffins instead of regular-sized ones. Bite-sized portions are less intimidating and reduce the chance of food coming home uneaten – or that parents end up clearing.

3. Sneak in the Nutrition

Blend vegetables into sauces, bake them into muffins or hide them in quesadillas. Smoothies are also a great way to pack in fruits and veggies – freeze them in small containers, and they’ll double as an ice pack in the lunchbox.

Make Peanut Butter & Berry Chia Smoothies and bake Smoky Pork Muffins. Prep them ahead and loading into backpacks on busy school mornings.  

4. Turn Leftovers Into ‘Bestovers’

Turn tonight’s dinner into tomorrow’s lunch. Roast chicken can become wraps, pasta can be transformed into a cold salad and extra veggies can top a mini pizza. This saves time, money and are simple yet delicious lunch ideas.

5. Mix and Match Snacks

Give kids some control by letting them mix and match their lunch items. Use a bento box or divided container and include a variety of their favourite lunch items for the week:

• Protein: hard-boiled eggs, biltong or droëwors, deli meats or hummus.
• Carbs: mini bagels, crackers or pita pockets.
• Fruits and veggies: apple slices, carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes or cucumber sticks.
• Treats: a small cookie or a piece of dark chocolate. This approach makes lunch fun, has variety that kids will like and is a healthier alternative to tuckshop treats.
• Healthy fats: avocado, almonds, cashews or cheese cubes.

6. Make It Eco-Friendly

Minimise waste by investing in reusable BPA-free containers, silicone snack bags and stainless steel water bottles. Skip single-use items like plastic wrap and juice boxes. Encourage kids to bring home any uneaten food, so you can gauge their preferences better.

7. Save Money, Shop Smart

Buy snacks in bulk and portion them yourself instead of purchasing pre-packaged options, which tend to be more expensive. Seasonal fruits and veggies are often cheaper and fresher. Plan lunches around what’s on sale, and don’t shy away from frozen produce – it’s just as nutritious as fresh veggies and fruit. Frozen seasonal berries and carrots are especially great if you are worried that fresh produce might go to waste.

8. Keep It Fun and Surprising

If you have extra time on your hands, slip a cute note, joke or doodle into their lunchbox. Occasionally, include a new snack or treat to keep things exciting. Variety keeps kids curious and willing to try new things; this works for kids without sensory food aversions.

Want a healthy treat? Try this recipe for Date Bark with Pecans & Hazelnuts.
Back to work? Enjoy these healthy & easy work lunch recipes.