Lunch organization help?

la79al · August 2013

Trying to tie up one loose end here. DD will be packing her lunch 99% of the time for school. She picked out a princess lunchbox from Walmart and now I am having the hardest time trying to figure out what kind of containers to put in it. I am trying to stay away from stuff like sandwich bags because I know she won't eat half her food and I don't want her to be tempted to throw it away. I was considering something like the Lunchblox but the ones they had at Walmart were too big to fit in the lunchbox, as were all of the other 'put together' lunch set thingies. I was going to just hit the Target dollar spot and get the sandwich boxes/snack containers they have there but wondering if that would be good enough. I would get a thermos for soup but she might do stuff like applesauce or yogurt. Do I keep looking for lunch box sets (and carry the lunchbox around with me to make sure it fits), just get whatever small containers I can find that I think will work, or make her pick a different lunchbox? I know I am probably way overthinking this but this is my first kid going to school and I really think more organization is going to be better for us.

Mama-Bear · August 2013

We got THIS for JR. We have sandwich holders for the bottom (it comes with 1, we purchased 4 more). We bought a bunch of THESE for his applesauce and a cracker snack (goldfish, animal crackers, cheez-its). We also bought a few reusable water bottles that I fill 1/2 with water and freeze. I also then put in one of those reusable ice blocks. So daily his lunchbox will have a sandwich holder, 2 of those large snack cups, 1 water bottle, 1 ice block, and 1 dessert (cookie, fun size candy bar, fruit snack).

skategirl128 · August 2013

I'm also trying to figure this out. Out school is trying to do a "garbage" less lunch where you don't have things that go in the trash like sandwich bags. I've tried to do a bento style lunch but can't find containers I like. I'll keep on my hunt and update if I find something useful.

jlw2505 · August 2013

You are over thinking it!!! Just get whatever small containers that you find at the Target 1$ spot or wherever. They will get lost over time so I would not spend a ton of money on them. We have a bunch of sandwich boxes and then 2 different size bowl type containers plus a thermos for hot things and the girls each have a water bottle as well. We also have a few cloth sandwich bags (with the plastic inside for washing) that we love. We do end up buying some of the pre-package things like yogurt and applesauce as they are just plain easier at this point but we do make our own lunchable type things with the girls and we send leftovers. It really is not a big deal overall and you can make anything work without spending a lot of money or time searching for the "perfect" lunch bag/containers.

Spin313 · August 2013

I bought the lunch packing container first and DS picked out a lunchbox that would fit it. It's a Sistema lunch cube...one side is sandwich sized and the other is split into two for side dishes. It's available at Meijer or BBBeyond.

august06mom · August 2013

We use the three-section Ziploc containers. They've held up amazingly well.

CareBear0607 · August 2013

I have a couple different containers that I plan on using for her lunch box. I bought them at Target.

neverblushed · August 2013

I have 2 lunch "systems" that we use in my home. Each kid has a soft sided, insulated lunch box or bag. When they're having a sandwich and sides, I pack everything in ziploc bags in the soft lunch box. A normal lunch for my 3rd grader is: a sandwich, cut up fruit, cut up veggies, a cookie, water bottle. When he was in K, he only ate 1/2 a sandwich and either fruit or veggies but not both. We gradually added sides as he got bigger. I occasionally buy single serving applesauce, crackers, or yogurt, but generally I just use ziplocs. I don't like adding that much trash to the environment every day, but it's the best bet for my youngest kid.

The other lunch container is reusable, collapsible bento-style box with 3 compartments. I use this if I send salad or a leftover. Generally, my middle schooler and I use these more than my 3rd grader, who needs a less complicated system.

If you are packing for a new kindergartner, keep lunch simple at first. Most kids have less time for lunch in K than they are used to having at home or in preschool/daycare. Start off with reliable foods you know she can eat quickly and independently, then work your way up to more complicated food. Honestly, I'd never send soup with a kindergarten kid. Too complicated.

Littlejen22 · August 2013

About soup on a Themos. All of the Thermos containers I have seen have a big lip so it is hard to get something like soup out of them. You will likely want to find a product that is straight on the sides.

Littlejen22 · August 2013

Fredalina, how easy are those to open?

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