It’s soon back to school time here in Australia and if this is going to be your first child at school, welcome to the world of “school lunch making” and “school lunch box contents refusal”. Two phenomena that they didn’t mention to us Mums when we left the hospital with our newborns. Here’s a free printable for those back to school lunches to help you out.
For those who have had a child in Kindergarten, like myself, where you have to provide lunches, you’re probably already familiar with these phenomena. Mixed with all the rules and regulations of the school, like no nuts, no dairy, no egg, etc, you can sometimes be stumped with what to provide your children or you could be blessed with a school canteen or tuckshop, as we call it here in Australia, but that’s going to cost you a small fortune.
To make your job a little easier, I’ve put together a handy fridge or pantry guide printable that you can use if you get stuck for ideas. Laminate it, add magnets to the back and stick on the fridge for easy access. The kids can help with the planning and making of the lunches. Besides salad ingredients, most sandwich ingredients can be frozen.
I’ll make a week’s worth and only need to take them out in the morning or the night before when I’m putting the lunch boxes together.I’m lucky my son will try and eat anything that’s put before him because he loves his food and is genuinely hungry. My daughter, on the other hand, will and has eaten a Vegemite sandwich every day for the last 3 years. Heaven help me when she refuses that.
Click here to download the FREE School Lunch Box Guide printable
Remember, to keep your costs down, make everything from scratch, except for crackers, breads etc. Here are some handy recipes for some of the more familiar store bought items.
LCM Bars
4 cups rice bubbles (or any other leftover breakfast cereal)
125g butter
3 Tbsp honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
Boil sugar, honey & butter for 3 minutes. In large bowl mix in with other ingredients combining well. Press mixture evenly into slice tin. Cut while warm.
There is also another recipe using store bought marshmallows (or you could make your own marshmallows).
200 g of home-made marshmallows (or 2 x 100g packets of marshmallows)
80 g butter
4 cups rice bubbles/rice krispies
Measure rice bubbles/krispies and place them in a large bowl. Line a lamington/ swiss roll tray with ovenbake paper. Melt marshmallows & butter over low heat, stirring so it doesn’t burn. Alternatively melt butter in microwave, add marshmallows and microwave on high for another 30 seconds. Pour the marshmallow and butter mix onto the rice bubbles. Mix well. Tip into lined tray and press down. Cut when cooled.
| Bulk pancake/pikelet mix |
That is a great list! My kids want the same sandwich EVERY DAY! They want peanut butter & jelly. I don't know how they can continue to eat them day after day. They don't want PBJ at home but for some reason they always to at school. Is Ben excited about starting school?
My daughter has only ever wanted peanut butter in her lunch. I live in fear of the day the school says no peanut products. It's happening all around us. She'll melt away for sure.
What a great list, thanks so much for sharing! My daughter is a vegemite sandwich girl too!
Thank you for putting all that info. and recipes together.
I'd be happy to eat nearly anything if someone else prepared it for me!
Older kids are so driven by peer group pressure. They could be starving but it's the trend not to eat.
Not a problem. Just make sure they have good wholesome food for the meals at home. They sure aren't going to starve…
That printable is awesome Anne. I will use it now for our lunches at home. Thanks! xx
This is a great printable. THanks so much for it.
This is a helpful list! My kids have to pack their own lunch and the rule is 3 healthy things to 1 junk food..this list has ideas for them! i am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can!
great, great…
That's a great guide Anne. We make our own LCM bars too!
Hi Anne,
Thank you so much for stopping in last week and visiting my blog. Thanks, too, for leaving a nice comment and following me. I am following you, too! I can't wait to see what all you post and to get to know you and your blog from down under!
Your lunch box meals was one of my top clicked post so I am featuring it today! Hope you enjoy the feature and exposure!
Have a super week! Susie
http://cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com/2012/08/back-to-school-menu-lunch-box-fun.html