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    16 Ways To Make Your Kids Actually Want To Bring A School Lunch

    The hardest part of school shouldn't be the lunches—here are some tips that'll make bringing a lunch seem so much better than buying one.

    1. Pack their meal in a bento container. It keeps food fresh and separated, which we know is important for the kids who refuse to eat different foods that touch.

    2. Avoid sugary drinks thanks to a Drink in the Box. Fill it with diluted juice or fruit-infused water for a beverage to satisfy their palate and your peace of mind.

    3. Surprise your favorite student(s) with a lunchbox note — a small gesture can make a big difference.

    4. Pick a fun theme for lunch! Whether it's pirates or flowers, a themed lunch is sure to spark their imagination while they re-fuel.

    5. Hang a menu planner on your kitchen fridge, and watch them become the chef! They’ll have fun picking out what they’ll eat for the week, and you’ll be able to keep track of what to buy.

    6. Channel your creativity into making an adorably fun lunch they'll be excited to open. Cookie cutters can be used for more than just cookies! Use them to make shapes out of sandwiches, fruits and veggies, and snack items.

    7. Spice up a plain ole' sandwich by using wraps to make pinwheels. You can even experiement with different combinations all in one lunch, to keep the kiddos excited.

    8. Let your kids be in charge with the Tasty Junior Cookbook. They can choose their favorite snack and meal recipes out of a personalized book.

    9. Keep a Thermos on hand for days when cold cuts just don’t…cut it. Send the kiddos off to school with some pasta, soup, or last night’s leftovers. Especially good for the chilly winter months.

    10. Get inventive with some DIY Lunchables. Let’s face it, kids could eat those things every day if they had the choice, but they shouldn’t. All you need are divided containers, silicone cupcake liners, and your choice of nutritious substitutes.

    11. Opt for a peanut butter substitute if your child loves the creamy stuff, but goes to a school with strict rules about nuts. On-the-go sunflower butter cups are great for dipping and spreading, packed with nutrients, and taste good.

    12. Provide them with a sweet little pick-me-up at lunchtime with silicone ice-pop molds. Fill the tubes with smoothies, yogurt and fruit, or juice, freeze, and send them off with a mess-free treat.

    13. Create a spot on the kitchen counter where you can fill clear containers with healthy snacks! When it comes time to pack lunch, the little ones can see and pick which snacks they want to bring each day.

    14. Think something like pasta or rice takes too long to make for a school lunch? Think again. Next time you plan on making either, prepare a slightly bigger batch, portion them into individual plastic bags, and freeze until your child wants to eat them.

    15. Try out an easy-to-prepare, interactive lunch like skewers. Stick meat, cheese, veggies, and fruits onto sticks for a quick change from the usual sandwich.

    16. Kick back, relax, and let a subscription service do the work for you. Wise Apple provides delicious and nutritious pre-packaged lunches. All you have to do is pack it in their bag for them.