This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
5 Minutes for Mom contributing writer, Heidi Strawser, chimes in today with the age-old dilemma – how do you make lunch time fun and healthy for your kids?
Are you stuck in a lunch-time rut?
I’m a homeschool mom, so I don’t have to pack lunches for my kids to take to school….but I do have to find things for them to eat. Because we are at home every day, sometimes I feel like our lunch routine is actually more dull and boring than the kids who are in school (they seem to get a better variety of foods). I always plan our supper menu; but when it comes to our lunches, I feel like we are often stuck in a rut – eating the same foods day after day after day . . . well, you get the picture!
V8 V-Fusion Lunch Kit
Recently, I discovered V-Fusion Concord Grape Raspberry juice in 8-oz. cans from V8. Around my house, we really can’t purchase grape juice because we all love it so much that we guzzle a whole container of it in a few short hours.
Having the single-serving cans was so nice because my kids knew they were allowed one can at a time, and it was just enough to satisfy their grape juice desire! The 8 oz cans are also the perfect size for packing in a lunch box; and the juice tastes so yummy that I’m sure your kids will thank you for it!
In addition to the grape juice, we received a whole package of goodies for making those packed lunches more fun. Because we homeschool, my kids don’t have lunch boxes. None of my kids had complained about not having their own lunch boxes until this summer when the back-to-school items were out in full force in the stores. My daughter Gracie (who is 11) said, “Mom, I never had a lunchbox!” as if it was some sort of rite of passage or something!
I confess that I felt just a bit guilty, and have been watching the clearance racks for a lunchbox that I might buy for her. I was glad I waited because the most adorable lunchbag arrived with this pack of goodies, and Gracie is now the proud owner of the cute brown and lime green treasure!
A twist on the traditional sandwich for lunch
I’m not a huge fan of the cold-cut sandwich. I know it’s a traditional “pack in your lunchbox” item, but I’m just not fond of store-bought bread. The new flatbreads that are available are much more to my liking; so I was pleased to see the Goldfish version from Pepperidge Farm. My kids could literally live on Goldfish crackers; so they were excited at the possibility of a Goldfish sandwich.
My deprived children are now enjoying lunch! Not only do we have a great lunchbox, Goldfish sandwiches, and delicious juice, but we’ve also got reusable Vel-cro bags (great for packing sandwiches and snacks for when we’re on the go), and cute little notes to personalize and include in their lunches.
Win a V8 V-Fusion Lunch Kit
The giveaway kit includes:
- A six-pack of V8 V-Fusion Concord Grape Raspberry 8 ounce cans
- A green lunch tote
- Reusable Velcro bags, the perfect item for keeping sandwiches and snacks fresh
- Branded cards for moms to include notes for their children to read at lunch
- Branded grocery list notepads so moms can remember to pick up Concord Grape Raspberry slim cans on their next trip to the supermarket
- $25 Wal-Mart gift card
- A coupon for one free V8 V-Fusion, V8 V-Fusion Light or V8 V-Fusion + Tea beverage (46 ounce or 8 ounce 6 pack)
- A pack of NEW Goldfish sandwich bread from Pepperidge Farm, the perfect item to turn a boring sandwich into an exciting lunch item
To enter to win a gift package containing all of the above-mentioned goodies, leave a comment below with your best lunch-packing tip or share one lunch-packing dilemma.
This giveaway will end on October 31, 2011 at midnight ET and a winner will be chosen at random and announced shortly after. Please see our site’s terms and conditions for more information.
Disclosure: We received a V8 V-Fusion Lunch Kit to try and review. Our thoughts and opinions are always our own.
Written by 5 Minutes for Mom contributing reviewer, Heidi. You can find me blogging at Heidi’s Head.
Sami says
i came across a healthy creative sandwich idea. instead of bread, use apple slices. cut the apple across the middle and core the center to where it looks like a bagel. then you can add peanut butter and raisins or swiss cheese and turkey. it travels well and gives a sweet crisp crunch instead of a soggy smushy sandwich.
i like this idea for myself as well!
mom to Julia and Olivia says
I get their lunches ready the night before. My girls love the fruit cups!
Tanya says
I need help with healthy snacks for a very picky child
tmc480 at yahoo dot com
Tamara Dastrup says
When I’m out of bread, I grab a tortilla and make a wrap for lunch instead. Tuna with a little olive oil, garlic salt or lemon pepper, and some lettuce and sliced carrot works nicely!
Kelly D says
My lunch packing problem is how to keep the food fresh and cool without having to give my kids peanut butter & jelly every day.
Gianna says
Pack lunches at night so they’ll be ready in the morning.
Cori Westphal says
It’s a battle for me to be able to pack lunches that will stay cold! My kids love meat sandwiches, and milk with their meals, things like that. Even with ice packs and insulated bags, I stuggle to keep things cold. I need more lunch ideas, besides PBJ’s that don’t have to stay ice cold!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
Jamie Brigham says
My best lunch packing tip is to get a reusable lunch tote and get a reusable sandwich holder. I always found that putting their items in those keeps them fresher longer, you can put yogurt, pudding or jello in with an ice pack and it will be fine until lunch
Ryana says
I have trouble finding variety for my daughters lunch
ryanac32 at yahoo dot com
mia says
I pack lunch the night before…when I was in school, I would make my sandwiches for the whole week on Sunday and then freeze them. I lived in Florida, lockers were outside, by the time it was lunch my sandwich would be thawed out.
CANDICE BENNETT says
I find variety doesn’t take much my son Legend likes things cut up , so i use fun shapes and I like to introduce new things dried mango, freeze dried fruit. sometimes its as easy as asking what do you want for lunch
Nicole says
I had rather pack a lunch and have my child eat, than to go all day without food. If the school has something he doesn’t like, he will not eat. So, we pack lunches most days. His favorites are raisins, celery sticks, and pretzels. The V8-Fusion sounds yummy
Barb says
Everyday my son wants to pack a lunch for school. He loves fresh veggies that won’t get limp or bad if not kept in the fridge. He loves any type of juice, so V8-Fusion would be a hit.
Leigh says
My girls love the goldfish bread. They also like the V8-Fusion drink which I was plesantly surprised.
Ann says
Use anything that will not leak into the lunch box. Pack things that will not spoil if it gets room temp. Love the goldfish bread, very cute
Anne says
We love fusion juice and my kids would thing fish sandwiches were hilarious! My best tip is using reusable drink bottles that are dishwasher safe so that I can pack drinks besides water (like juice or milk) without worrying about how I’ll get the nooks and crannies clean later!
Jen Shirley says
I put a joke in their box a few times a week – their friends love hearing the joke and it makes my kiddos feel special
Niecey Docherty says
My best tip is to loosen the caps on plastic bottles and then screw them back on. Before I started that my kids were having trouble opening them when they got there.
Amy says
The Fusion juice is so good. My son loves it. I just added the Goldfish to his lunch this past week and he was so surprised and ate the entire sandwich!!
Stacey says
My son loves to take his lunch to school so I always make sure I freeze his juice box where it will still be cool at lunchtime.
Al says
My daughters like the Goldfish Bread. It made their lunch interesting and fun.
Deb says
My girls loved the goldfish bread. Anything to change up a sandwich!
Rondah says
I need a creative way for my son to eat vegetables in his lunch
rjs682 at yahoo dot com
Tina M says
My best lunch-packing tip ..peanut butter sandwich, apple juice, banana and yogurt
Soha Molina says
I like to pack a lunch with protein, fruit and a small sweet.
Tami M says
Sugar snap peas … you just can’t go wrong with these!. Sweet & healthy. I have a nervous, picky 6 year old eater in 1st grade, who is very unnerved by the chaos and decibel level of the school lunchroom, poor thing. Best tip I’ve found it to just ask her what the other kids are eating, and if there is anything new she’d like to try.
LuAnn K says
This year we went to reusable water bottles instead of buying juice pouches. It costs a lot less and the kids like it better. The juice pouches didn’t have enough in them to get through lunch.
Stacy says
Sabra individual hummus and pretzel chips are great for the kids. One kid loves butter pickels and one loves green olives so I’ll add those in a little container to lunches as well. (I love those containers that have clips for a tighter seal, minimizing any chance of leakage when you add juicy healthy snacks).
Wehaf says
Tip – dried fruit and fruit leather are lightweight and filling, and won’t go bad!
JUNE says
I always try to pick the more heather snacks for my kid’s also. But some times it does become a not so liked chore for sure.
Angela says
For me, it’s hard to keep lunches fresh and exciting (not to mention HEALTHY) for my kids!
Thanks for the chance!
Jill says
My son loves picking which one of my reusable bags he gets to use for the day. He thinks he is pulling one over on me by using my bag.
Mozi Esmes Mom says
Keep it simple – do the same things over and over… I stress too much trying to come up with new ideas that my daughter won’t even try.
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
Marlena U. says
We pack frozen yogurt sticks and frozen grapes in lunches. They thaw out just enough to be ready for a tasty treat by lunch time!
Happymomc says
I pack lunch, put in some fruit too and refrigerate it. Morning – just take and go saves so much time!
Abi says
We keep some staples that my daughter likes on hand, but to keep them fresh she’s only allowed to have them in her lunch. That means less snacking on more expensive prepackaged things and keeps things novel.
We struggle with finding a container that contains things… I always end up with a leaked out mess to clean up. 🙁
Nadia says
My tip is for packing warm hot dogs, specifically. You can put the weiners in a thermos with warm water (cut them in 2 if necessary). Pack the buns separately, of course, and also include a plastic fork to fish the dogs out of the water at lunchtime. Ketchup and mustard packets from restaurants are also very useful here.
Erin says
Pack lunches the night before (though sometimes after a long day, this isn’t easy!), and also have the kids get involved in planning what to pack. Also do creative things like use cookie cutters to make fun sandwiches!
Angela says
My best lunch packing tip is to focus on categories: pick one protein, one starch/carb, one or two fruit/veg and a drink. If you can think in those terms then it’s easy to dig through the fridge and come up with a complete meal – even if it doesn’t “match” per se.
The biggest challenge for me is that my son will not eat cheese or drink milk if it has been in a lunchbox – even with cold packs galore. He feels like it’s Old or used or something and will not drink his milk or eat any cheese I pack. It’s a big blow to the lunch packing system.
Lawanna says
My friend taught me that kids as young as 1st grade can be responsible for packing their lunch. Obviously they need some help, but they learn quickly. We pack in reusable containers and each kid is responsible for emptying the lunch box after school. Good skills to have :).
Jessica T says
I write messages with felts on my kids mandarin oranges 🙂
Linda Kish says
I’m glad I don’t have to pack lunches these days because my dilemma would be how to pack peanut-free lunches. My son loved his PB&J sandwiches. I understand they are not allowed in some schools now.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Jen says
Getting kids to eat the healthy foods that you pack can be an issue. I try to make it fun by drawing on a face on the banana etc. And always a love note inside- for sure!
Staci A says
My tip is to pack foods you know your child will eat. I’ve learned that school lunch is not the time to try to send something new. It ends in a hungry, cranky kid!
Shari says
I involve my son in helping to make his own lunch… he’s more likely to eat what it’s in there if he helps prepare it. But I also try to sneak in a surprise for him once in a while. 🙂
Kathy Stevenson says
My dilemma is how to fit everything in the lunchbag and not always use throw away bags.
Vickie Couturier says
lunch tip,is to package everything separtately so they dont get soggy,,
vlbelk(at)hotmail.com
Steph says
My lunch packing tip is to use reuseable bags and make lunch fun. A light hearted note can change a bad day to a good day in a second. 🙂 Always try and make them smile.
mrsshukra says
We use Warmables which eliminates the need for a microwave and keeps lunches warm!
Erica Best says
My problem is running out of ideas and get bored really quick
Liz says
We made a chart of options for my daughter’s lunch. She knows she needs to choose one from each column every day. It works BEAUTIFULLY!
Elizabeth Sanchez says
My son is interested in everything else except sitting down and eating his lunch! Maybe I should try the Goldfish sandwhich bread. That is sure the get his attention, right?
Elisabeth says
My best tip is to keep it simple. I pack snacks like carrots, grapes and bananas- it’s not only healthy but takes less time to put together!
Angela says
When making sandwiches for work or school l alway’s use the little zip-lock bags. Work so good!
Sue Borowiak says
My biggest lunch time problems are wanting to provide a variety of healthy foods that my kids will enjoy, and fidning a thermos that will actual keep hot foods hot properly.
Noreen says
My daughter will not eat a sandwich
Barbie says
Oh what a fabulous giveaway! My best tip is to plan ahead. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to pack my kids’ lunches on the fly. It just doesn’t work. They end up with junk!
tennille says
sorry doesn’t say us only or canada & us?? My tip is to freeze your beveage to keep it all cool until time to eat.
Janna says
My tip is to get a water bottle for the lunchbox. That way you don’t have to buy the prepackaged juice drinks.
nan says
my dilema is my child won’t eat sandwiches…he’ll eat bread and cheese..but not together
nannypanpan at gmail.com
Tina says
My lunch packing tip is to pack lunch the night before. This saves time in the morning when everyone is rush around getting ready.
Jennifer says
I want lunches to be healthy yet affordable and kid friendly! granola bars are a favorite in our home. Not tried V8 fusion- sounds yummy and kid friendly!
Ready Or Not says
I have a thermos that keeps food hot until lunchtime that I put spaghettios, pasta or mac and cheese in my daughter’s lunch when the fridge is bare!
Kelli says
I feel like I always pack the same thing! I need some lunch time help!
Amy says
My children will not eat at school so I have to pack lunches. They love the goldfish bread. I have not packed them the V8-V Fusion yet, but they love it at home. Good idea!
Stacey says
Love the goldfish bread, that helped from being just a boring sandwich. I have not tried the grape V8 Fusion but it sounds delicious. Freeze drinks, keep it simple, and do not pack too much. It will just be wasted.
Alison says
My problem is running out of ideas. I did get my kids the new Pepperidge Farm Goldfish bread and that helped. I also freeze drinks or yogurts to keep lunches cool.
Debby says
I freeze their juice drink boxes and it keeps the lunch cool and the drinks are thawed by lunchtime.
Sarah says
My best lunch packing tip is to freeze their juice packs and use them as ice packs. They get a cold drink and it keeps their lunch cold.
Kristie says
This is my first year packing lunches. So far I’ve learned not to pack too much because it’ll just go to waste…so my daughter doesn’t get the special treats every day anymore-just every once in a while 🙂
Alison S. says
I’ve been wanting to try the goldfish bread with my son since he loves goldfish. My tip is to pack leftovers in small containers so they are easy to grab from the fridge when you are packing lunches.
stacie says
I like to use the bento box style lunches for my boy with the lunch box. My older son has a more difficult stand up lunch box…I need help with more ideas! Love the fish bread and my boys would love it too!
MaryBeth says
My lunch box issues are getting stuck in ruts too… although my girls don’t seem to mind, and they are the ones making the request for the same things day after day after day. Thanks for the chance to win!
Leanne m says
My lunch packing dilemma is making all 3 of my kids happy with their lunch.
Jingle says
My tip is to use as few disposables as possible! It makes for a cleaner lunch and less trash! YAY!
tammy b says
pretty common i’m sure, but we freeze yogurt tubes. they are perfect by the time lunch rolls around and they help keep everything cold!
Jessica says
I always pack lunches for the next day while cleaning up the kitchen after dinner. That way the next morning isn’t such a rush!
What a fun giveaway. 🙂
ememby says
I repackage things like dry cereal or crackers in snack sized recloseable bags when I bring them home from the store so I can easily grab the bags I need and throw them in their lunchboxes. Saves having to do it every morning. I also do this with fruits and veggies like grapes and carrots
Michelle Adams says
I’ve been using a thermos to keep my son’s chicken nuggets warm for lunchtime. Seems to be working – he’s eating them!!! 🙂
Kara says
My tip is to pack what the kids will actually eat. If it’s not something they want it will just get thrown out. I’d rather have him eat something that isn’t completely healthy, than pack a nice healthy lunch that ends up in the garbage. Of course if I can find something healthy that he will eat then that’s a bonus lol. When I was a kid I almost always threw away half of my lunch because my mom always packed pb&j and an apple, neither of which I really liked (because she always used grape jelly, which I hate).