How to Pack a Lunch with Punch

By Jennifer Hans

You have every intention of filling your child’s lunchbox with a variety of tasty and healthy fare. Yet, somehow, you find yourself quickly in the midst of a sandwich-and-chips rut.

Good news: with a little creativity, it’s easy to prepare midday munchies your kids will love. Here, we offer practical tips for packing a lunch that is sure to please.

Bye, bye, boring bread

A sandwich made with two pieces of white bread isn’t terribly inventive. Instead, try putting your child’s favorite sandwich stuffer on a hot dog bun, hamburger bun or toasted English muffin. For a fresh twist on an old favorite, spread peanut butter and jelly on a tortilla and roll it up.

If you do opt for basic bread, consider using a large cookie-cutter to create silly sandwich shapes. Or, super-size your child’s lunch by building a double-decker.

Dip this

As an alternative to the traditional sandwich, consider sending finger foods that can be dipped into an accompanying sauce or dressing. Some great combos:

• Tortilla chips and salsa
• Veggies and ranch dressing
• Celery sticks and peanut butter
• Pita bread and hummus
• Graham cracker sticks and yogurt

Some like it hot

A good thermos is an easy way to heat things up a bit. Everything from last night’s leftovers to macaroni and cheese can easily be taken to school. Other options include hot dog slivers and baked beans, spaghetti and meatballs or soup and oyster crackers (pack the crackers separately and let your child sprinkle them on his soup when he gets to school).

Think outside the box

There are plenty of ways to add a little flair to your child’s lunchtime fare.           The secret? Simply make sure you offer a diverse selection of fun foods. Be careful not to repeat the same meals over and over again. Need some fresh ideas? Try these boredom busters on for size:

• Spread refried beans and shredded cheddar cheese on a tortilla, fold the tortilla in half and heat it in the microwave for about 45 seconds. Slice the tortilla into wedges and pack them in a plastic bag.
• Place chunks of cheese and bite-sized veggies on a wooden skewer.
• Create your own trail mix with things like pretzels, assorted breakfast cereals, peanuts, marshmallows and chocolate chips.
• Offer a variety of fruits like blueberries, cantaloupe and pineapple.
• Make a big batch of muffins and freeze them individually. As you pack your child’s lunch each day, toss one in.

Extras, extras

1. If you’re sending a lunch that needs to be kept cold, don’t forget to include an ice pack or a frozen juice box (by the time lunch rolls around, the juice box will have thawed enough to drink).
2. Brighten your child’s day with colorful or holiday-themed napkins, readily available at most discount and dollar stores. And, depending on what you pack, you’ll also want to include the appropriate utensils. If you want to have a little fun, surprise your child by sending disposable chopsticks instead of a fork.
3. Condiments can be packed in small plastic containers, or go to www.minimus.biz to order individual packets of ketchup, mustard and salad dressing.
4. Finally, make cleanup a breeze by including a travel-sized packet of baby wipes and a miniature bottle of hand sanitizer.