11 Kids Share Their Favourite Lunchbox Snacks And Their Responses Are So Interesting

Kids are the authority on snacks — obviously.

If there's one thing I've learnt as a mum, it's that inspiration can dry out fast when it comes to packed lunches. And to add to that pressure, our kids (bless them and their freedom of expression) know very well what they like — and er, don't like.

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Makes for fun mornings, no? 

So to inspire us with new lunchbox ideas — that are both good for kids and loved by them — we've hand-picked some fun (and quite fascinating) quotes directly from Aussie kids themselves. Who better to tell us what they want to eat!?

1. Ice-slushy drinks that thaw out from frozen — probably the most genius snack of all.

Unsplash/Osher Key

"Me and my sister put boxed frozen fruit juices or our favourite UP&GO in our lunchboxes to thaw out, and then pour them into cups for a yummy drink. They keep everything else fresh, so are actually really useful!"

—Jemma, age 15.

Try Up&Go's Choc Ice which has a 4.5 Health Star Rating.

2. Bliss-balls keep bellies full and taste de-lish.

Unsplash/Abbie Whiddett

"My mum's bliss balls are literally the best thing. They're made of oats, cocoa, raspberry, chia seeds and coconut — and are always the first thing I eat when I open my lunchbox! They're really filling too, so it's good for when I have after-school club."

—Charlotte, age 14. 

3. Cheese sticks and veggie shapes rule — even when the kids get bigger.

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"I'm really into cheese sticks — I have cheese with everything...apples, grapes, tomatoes or mixed with carrot and cucumber. Cutting them up into different shapes is more fun, I guess." 

—Eddie, age 12.

4. Is popcorn the undisputed queen of snack food? We believe so.

Unsplash/Eduardo Casajús Gorostiaga

"Popcorn is my favourite thing ever. I'm always trying different flavours, even cheese popcorn and spiced chilli. I know it's quite healthy too, as my mum tells me."

—Bea, age 10.

5. Crunchy lavosh crackers make the best dippers. Fact.

Unsplash/Melissa Walker Horn

"I'm a BIG fan of lavosh. I usually just eat them on their own or sometimes I have them with hummus or yoghurt dip. Dad says they're really easy to make at home."

—George, age 14.

6. Mini fruit salads can be an absolute treat — pop the pieces onto sticks.

Unsplash/Karolina Kołodziejczak

"I have fruit salad in my lunchbox every day. I love peach, pineapple, kiwi and mango pieces — and strawberry chunks. Sometimes I have them on skewers. I mix it all into yoghurt sometimes, too."

—Amy, age 10.

7. Nut-free trail-mix biscuits ROCK.

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"I never used to like seedy things when I was little, but now I'm really into trail-mix. My mum makes trail-mix cookies that have things like oats, coconut and sultanas in them."

—Freya, age 11.

8. Snacks the kids can rustle up themselves are a total win — like easy pikelets.

Unsplash/Luke Pennystan

"I make pikelets in the morning and throw some sultanas or blueberries into the batter. I always eat a couple then take a few for lunch, too. They taste great, even when they're cold."

—Benjamin, age 16.

9. Make a big batch of sweet or savoury muffins and stick them in the freezer.

Unsplash/Caroline Attwood

"Muffins are so great as they can be sweet or savoury or spicy or cheesy. I love pumpkin and cheese ones and also blueberry banana. If you make them at home, you can freeze them too, like we do."

—Josie, age 11.

10. ALWAYS find space in the lunchbox for tasty leftovers.

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"Leftover pasta is so good the next day for lunch. I have a pasta dish which I actually prefer cold — it has beans, mint and sausage pieces in it!"

—Lewis, age 15.

11. And finally, crunchy potato wedges that are so good you have to hide them from friends.

Unsplash/Engin Akyurt

"My dad's potato wedges are amazing. I eat them cold as well as hot, dipped in tomato sauce or guacamole. My mates always try and grab a couple, I kinda have to hide them."

—Rhys, age 14.

UP&GO are a hit with kids for morning, lunch or after-school energy snacks. Packed with 11 essential vitamins and minerals, protein, a good source of dietary fibre and low GI, UP&GO are the right type of energy for busy school days. Check out the amazing flavours they come in here!