01of 08
Use a Juicebox as an Ice Pack
Victor Protasio
02of 08Make Sandwiches Into Cool ShapesRachel Quenzer/The Everyday Mom LifeRachel QuenzerofThe Everyday Mom Lifegets creative in the kitchen with inexpensive cutters in shapes like a puzzle or dinosaur.“Sometimes just making food more fun for kids can brighten their day, especially during a school day when they might feel stressed about a math quiz, reading in front of others or even just missing you,” she tells PEOPLE. “Little pick-me-ups are good for everyone – no matter the age. Also, creating new shapes or presenting food in exciting ways can entice children to try new things. It makes the whole meal more engaging.“Buy it!$9.71 (for pack of 4);amazon.com
02of 08
Make Sandwiches Into Cool Shapes
Rachel Quenzer/The Everyday Mom Life
Rachel QuenzerofThe Everyday Mom Lifegets creative in the kitchen with inexpensive cutters in shapes like a puzzle or dinosaur.
“Sometimes just making food more fun for kids can brighten their day, especially during a school day when they might feel stressed about a math quiz, reading in front of others or even just missing you,” she tells PEOPLE. “Little pick-me-ups are good for everyone – no matter the age. Also, creating new shapes or presenting food in exciting ways can entice children to try new things. It makes the whole meal more engaging.”
Buy it!$9.71 (for pack of 4);amazon.com
03of 08Separate Snacks with Reusable Baking CupsCamille Walker/My Mommy StyleIf you have picky eaters who hate when different foods touch — or you’re just incorporating snacks that might leak juices — take a hint fromCamille WalkerofMy Mommy Styleand utilize silicone cupcake liners. The flexible cups turn a regular lunch tote into a custom bento box, and you can use them for baking projects with your little ones on weekends.Buy it!$12 (for set of 36);amazon.com
03of 08
Separate Snacks with Reusable Baking Cups
Camille Walker/My Mommy Style
If you have picky eaters who hate when different foods touch — or you’re just incorporating snacks that might leak juices — take a hint fromCamille WalkerofMy Mommy Styleand utilize silicone cupcake liners. The flexible cups turn a regular lunch tote into a custom bento box, and you can use them for baking projects with your little ones on weekends.
Buy it!$12 (for set of 36);amazon.com
04of 08
Let Kids Pack Their Own Lunch
Charlotte Smith/At Charlotte’s House
“It makes our mornings so much smoother and easier: no fighting, I’m not doing a million things before the bus comes, and the kids have to learn to pack what they will eat!” she says. “Win-win-win.”
05of 08Arrange Apple & Orange Slices Together to Prevent BrowningJennifer Kalynuik/Little Lunch LoveYou’ve probably heard that lemon juice squeezed on top of apple slices keeps them fresher longer; the same principle applies here in this hack fromJennifer KalynuikofLittle Lunch Love. The acid from the oranges will keep the apples from turning a muddy color. It creates a cool-looking design, and kids get two fruits in one!
05of 08
Arrange Apple & Orange Slices Together to Prevent Browning
Jennifer Kalynuik/Little Lunch Love
You’ve probably heard that lemon juice squeezed on top of apple slices keeps them fresher longer; the same principle applies here in this hack fromJennifer KalynuikofLittle Lunch Love. The acid from the oranges will keep the apples from turning a muddy color. It creates a cool-looking design, and kids get two fruits in one!
06of 08Write Notes on BananasMeghan Markle.REX/ShutterstockForget the sticky note and instead pen a short message or affirmation directly on a banana peel with a marker.Meghan Markleused the tacticduring a charity projectin February while she was still expecting her son Archie.Or if you want to maximize lunchtime magic, use a toothpick to write secret notes on the banana. The message will be very faint in the morning but will darken as the day goes on.
06of 08
Write Notes on Bananas
Meghan Markle.REX/Shutterstock
Forget the sticky note and instead pen a short message or affirmation directly on a banana peel with a marker.Meghan Markleused the tacticduring a charity projectin February while she was still expecting her son Archie.
Or if you want to maximize lunchtime magic, use a toothpick to write secret notes on the banana. The message will be very faint in the morning but will darken as the day goes on.
07of 08Use a Thermos for Hot LunchDevon Weaver/Mama CheapsStainless-steel containers are not just for soup. Devon Weaver ofMama Cheapsheats up leftovers like pasta or pizza rolls in the microwave in the morning then dumps them into a thermos to send off to school. “A great tip for foods that tend to get a little soggy like chicken nuggets – put a paper towel or napkin in the bottom of the thermos to absorb some of the moisture,” she says.This versionfrom Target has a wide opening for easy filling and a fold-up spoon.Buy it!$25 for 16 oz;target.com
07of 08
Use a Thermos for Hot Lunch
Devon Weaver/Mama Cheaps
Stainless-steel containers are not just for soup. Devon Weaver ofMama Cheapsheats up leftovers like pasta or pizza rolls in the microwave in the morning then dumps them into a thermos to send off to school. “A great tip for foods that tend to get a little soggy like chicken nuggets – put a paper towel or napkin in the bottom of the thermos to absorb some of the moisture,” she says.
This versionfrom Target has a wide opening for easy filling and a fold-up spoon.
Buy it!$25 for 16 oz;target.com
08of 08Make Butterfly Snack BagsEmily Hunsaker/Hunny I’m Home DIYThis adorable idea from Emily Hunsaker ofHunny I’m Home DIYis an easy, low-budget craft you can do on weekends that will pay off big during the weekdays. The decorated clothespin acts as a barrier so you can separate two different treats, or use it to simply jazz up one. Check out her blog for thefull instructions.
08of 08
Make Butterfly Snack Bags
Emily Hunsaker/Hunny I’m Home DIY
This adorable idea from Emily Hunsaker ofHunny I’m Home DIYis an easy, low-budget craft you can do on weekends that will pay off big during the weekdays. The decorated clothespin acts as a barrier so you can separate two different treats, or use it to simply jazz up one. Check out her blog for thefull instructions.
source: people.com
