As moms, we're always on the lookout for ways to keep our kids fueled with nutritious meals while keeping things interesting enough to avoid mealtime monotony. This year, the "Fresh Box" lunch concept really took off for us—something we occasionally shared on Instagram under #freshmommyfreshbox. With summer just around the corner, I'm not ready to abandon all the healthy habits we've cultivated during the school year. Even though summer brings more relaxed schedules, there'll still be plenty of picnics, playdates, and trips to the park where my little ones will need wholesome snacks and meals.
I get it—we all hit those phases where feeding our kids healthy meals feels like a chore. Some days it’s simple; other days require a bit of creativity. Sometimes, all it takes is thinking beyond the usual sandwich setup. It doesn't have to be complicated to be nutritious—often, it's as straightforward as using up leftovers from the fridge before hitting the grocery store again.
Today, I wanted to share some easy tips for creating fun, healthy lunches or snacks that are perfect for both school and summertime. These ideas are great whether you're packing lunches for school or just trying to figure out what to throw together for a spur-of-the-moment outing.
First up: **Think Outside the Bread Box**
Sandwiches don’t always need to come wrapped in bread. Try apple slices as “bread,†layering peanut butter and raisins or even a slice of cheese between them. Whole-wheat tortillas can double as wraps for ingredients like cream cheese and cucumber, or even peanut butter with bananas. Another idea? Slice cucumbers into rounds and pair them with a filling of hummus or cream cheese. One of our family favorites is making PB&J sandwiches using waffles as the “bread.†If you're whipping up pancakes or waffles for breakfast, why not make extras to save for sandwiches later?
Secondly: **DIY Lunchables**
My kids adore Lunchables, particularly the pizza variety. Although they don't get them often, they still request them every time we pass the cooler at the store. Since they're so attached to the concept, I decided to create my own version. I bought a jar of organic pizza sauce (where I could easily recognize the ingredients), portioned it into an ice cube tray, and froze it for individual servings. When it was time for lunch, I'd grab two cubes, toss them into a small container along with shredded mozzarella cheese, pita bread cut into triangles, and sometimes some turkey pepperoni. My daughter loved her homemade "Lunchable," and my son begged for pizza every single day for a week afterward!
Thirdly: **Make It Interactive**
Kids love doing things themselves, so why not encourage them to build their own meals? Fill a small container with yogurt and let them sprinkle granola, raisins, or frozen berries on top for a parfait. Or serve veggies alongside a side of hummus—they won’t even realize they're eating their greens. Another fun idea is to present their food as ingredients, letting them "build" something imaginative like a city or a house on their plate. Use broccoli as trees, carrots as roads, and ranch dressing as rivers. It's a playful way to make mealtime more engaging—and who knows, they might even discover they enjoy veggies after all.
Fourthly: **Swap Sugary Drinks for Natural Options**
We try to minimize added sugars in our kids' diets, so we always carry reusable water bottles filled with plain water. To make it more exciting, I’ll throw in frozen berries to flavor the water naturally, keep it cool, and give them a tasty surprise at the bottom of their bottles. Occasionally, I’ll toss in a packet of Emergen-C for an extra vitamin boost. Experimenting with different combinations keeps things fresh—mint and strawberries, orange slices with cucumber, or lemon-lime slices are all crowd-pleasers.
Lastly: **Switch Up the Containers**
Presentation matters! Serve meals in unique ways to spark excitement. Mini muffin tins, mason jars, or even coffee mugs for soups can transform a regular meal into an adventure. Recently, we invested in personalized lunch boxes from Stuck on You, and both my kids were thrilled. They couldn’t wait to show off their new lunch boxes, even coming up with imaginative scenarios like “picnics in their room.†Having fun containers makes the whole process enjoyable for everyone involved.
Feeling overwhelmed by meal prep? Remember, feeding our kids is one of the most rewarding parts of parenting—it’s a way to nurture them physically and emotionally. But it’s okay to take shortcuts sometimes too. Whether it’s a quick drive-thru stop or a well-planned meal, it’s all about balance.
If you're interested in winning your own personalized lunch set from Stuck on You, check out their latest giveaway!
xo, Mamas!
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P.S. This post is sponsored by Stuck on You. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. Thank you for supporting brands that help bring fresh ideas to our families! Follow Stuck on You on [Facebook] and [Twitter] for updates and exclusive offers.
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