Parents: School Lunches Deserve Some Fun!

School lunch isn’t just about nutrition—it’s about smiles, too! When your child opens their lunch box to find a little surprise, lunchtime instantly gets happier. And when kids are happy, they’re more likely to enjoy the healthy foods you packed with care. Read on for simple ways to add fun to your child’s lunch that are as easy as they are meaningful.

You may be surprised to learn that it doesn’t take much to make lunch extra special—just a small gesture can make a big difference in your child’s day.Things like writing a short love note, joke, riddle, doodle, or brainteaser on your child’s napkin. You could even tuck in a sports headline or comic strip to spark reading and laughter.

No need to overthink this. Start with something simple like using cookie cutters to make fun sandwich shapes. A heart-shaped one is perfect for sending a little “I love you!”

You never know, even your child’s friends might start looking forward to seeing what’s inside the “fun” lunch pail each day!

You can make things easier on yourself by collecting jokes, riddles, or notes from books and online resources whenever you find them. That way, you’ll have a ready-to-go stash to choose from, making it simple to slip one into your child’s lunch without feeling rushed.

For January, make it a goal to add a fun surprise to your child’s lunch box at least twice a week. It’s a simple way to give your child a little burst of joy in the middle of their school day.

Here’s to a January full of learning (with a healthy dose of lunchtime fun)!

Lorna & Kathleen (The EatingFor Team)

P.S. Like this tip? For more, check out Eating for A’s: A month-by-month nutrition and lifestyle guide to help raise smarter kids. Kindergarten to 6th grade. (Second Edition)