Refrigerator List of Lunches

It’s that time of year again, parents! School will be starting soon, and whether your kids are going physically to school or at home learning virtually, they still have to eat!

Now even though I have one child that has already flown the nest, I still have three others in school. One of the easiest ways I have found to help children with making lunches is to keep a list on the refrigerator for them to refer. Kids will always open the fridge or pantry door and cry about having nothing to eat. There is always stuff there, they just don’t always see it. A handy dandy list will help!

My children learned to make their own lunches in first grade. They wanted the independence, they wanted to make their own choices, and it was a chance for me to show them and teach them certain things in the kitchen. Of course, they couldn’t always spread peanut butter or jelly properly at that age, but by third grade they were all pros. Please keep in mind there are many things on my list below that will require adult supervision, or it’s only to be made by older kids.

My children will be learning from home for a while, so that will admittedly be easier to make lunches since they will have access to a stove, oven, and microwave, not to mention things like the toaster, proper silverware, etc. They will still need the list, especially after the “newness” of the first month or so of school wears off.

I am blessed with children that are not picky, however I am aware of the many different eating situations that affect families, and what works for me may not work for you. Thats ok, just do the best you can, stay within your budget, and I hope some of my suggestions take the guesswork out of things (at least for lunches).

So the following is on my School Lunches list. I’d love to hear about anything you might add!

Sandwiches

• Peanut butter/almond butter and jelly/nutella/honey
• Turkey and cheese
• Ham and cheese
• Chicken salad
• Tuna salad
• Cucumber and cream cheese
• Tomato, mayo, and cheese
• BLT
• Grilled cheese
• Salami and swiss
• Club
• Roast Beef

Other Main Lunch Entrees

• Macaroni and cheese (or easy Mac)
• Soup
• Burritos
• Salad
• Homemade Lunchables
• Leftovers
• Steak Umms
• Anything frozen like pizza, nuggets, fries, etc
• Hot dogs

Sides

• Fruit: you know what your kids like best. Throw in a fruit dip occasionally (easy recipe below).
• String cheese, cubed cheese, babybel cheese, etc
• Goldfish or Cheese Its. No matter how old they are.
• Pretzels or pita chips and hummus
• Veggies and dip
• guacamole or avocado slices
• Oat Balls
• Cucumber slices (plain or in vinegar)
• Jello and/or pudding
• Pasta salad (if made)
• Nuts or trail mix
• Beef jerky
• Pickles, olives, and pepperoncinis

A final note, there are not too many “dessert” options listed for a reason. Most parents agree that loading kids up on sugary junk is not good for their growing minds and bodies (ZERO soda in my house, for example). Life does have to have some pleasure, however, so my kids are allowed the occasional cookie or brownie. Use your best judgment here.

Thanks for reading! Hope all the children are blessed this coming year!