5 Tricks for Packing School Lunches Like a Cool Mom – Even if You’re Not

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Save-A-Lot.  The opinions and text are all mine.  Please see my disclosure policy.

Sometimes I can be that cool mom who makes intricate themed packed lunches using special little cookie cutters, sentimental lunchbox notes, and all the latest lunchbox feng shui.

Then other times, real life happens.  And I’m just sitting over here jealous of all the other moms who seem to have it all together.  Who pack amazing school lunches for their kids every. single. day.  Including intricately carved unicorns from those cute little cheese rounds.

I’m gonna let you in on a little secret I discovered, though.  My kids don’t care if packing school lunches takes me 45 minutes or only 5.  In fact, they don’t even know the difference, because I’ve found a couple tricks that still get me in the “Cool Mom Club” but take just minutes of my time.

While I do love me some cute lunch packing goodies, it all gets a little overwhelming when you just want to pack a 5-minute kids’ lunch before corraling the kids to the bus stop on time.  Plus, it can get expensive, too.

Here’s the thing… You don’t NEED to invest in a bunch of fancy schmancy cookie cutters, a full spectrum of food writing pens, and 37 different Bento box containers.  I found some basic everyday items already in my kitchen and during my grocery shopping trip to Save-A-Lot.  With a little creativity, these basics can make some super cute – but quick – kids’ lunches.  

The Basics for Packing School Lunches:

• sandwich bags
• permanent markers in various colors
• a small jar or cup
• cupcake liners
• a couple basic cookie cutters
• basic sandwich ingredients
• colorful fruits and veggies
• kid-themed snacks and treats

5 Tricks for Using the Basics to Pack Cool School Lunches:

 

(Psst... Check out my lastest videos!)

Decorate Sandwich Bags

One trick is to use permanent markers to decorate sandwich bags.  The possibilities are as endless as your imagination.  Think about your kids’ interests… like their favorite video games, aforementioned unicorns, creepy crawly insects.  Or write silly jokes, encouraging thoughts, or little love letters to them.  Another plus: you can decorate a bunch of bags ahead of time – while catching up on your favorite reality TV show (I’m not the only one, right?!), waiting for the kids to finish karate practice, or while drinking your morning coffee.  (Scratch that.  Morning coffee is a sacred time, and the bags can wait.)  If you make some ahead of time, any hastily put-together peanut butter jelly sandwich can still be cool.

 

 

Make-Ahead Circle Sandwiches 

This trick’s as simple as grabbing a small glass or mason jar from the cupboard.  Use the top of the glass or jar to cut a basic PB&J into a cute circle.  Add that to a decorated bag, and you’re a Rock Star Lunch Packer in your kids’ eyes.  The best part, these circle sandwiches can be made ahead when you have extra time, tossed in those decorated bags, and then into the freezer.  All ready to pull out of the freezer and pop into lunch boxes on a hectic school morning.

 

 

Colorful Fruits & Veggies

I try to include fresh fruits and vegetables in my kids’ lunch boxes every day.  (Some days are better than others, though!)  Obviously, they’re healthy for the kids.  But they’re also perfect for adding color to lunch boxes, too.  Save-A-Lot is a great choice for finding a variety of delicious fresh fruits and vegetables for school lunches.

 

DIY Divided Bento with Cupcake Liners

No need for fancy divided Bento Boxes.  Paper and silicone cupcake liners can be used to separate small crackers, fruit, and veggies in the kids’ lunch boxes.  Plus, they add a splash of color or pattern to the kids’ lunch, too.

 

 

Themed Snacks & Treats

As long as you’ve got some other healthy options (i.e. fruits and veggies as mentioned above), add in a fun snack pack to surprise the kids.  You can find individually packaged crackers, fruit gummies, and cookies with current popular kids’ characters at Save-A-Lot.  I found some Super Mario themed fruit snacks to add to a fun Super Mario lunch for my son.

 

 

See!  You can keep things simple and still make super fun packed lunches at the same time.  Plus, you can save up to 40% at Save-A-Lot (compared to conventional grocery stores) on your lunchbox basics.  Find the closest store near you.

 

2 Ways to WIN with Save-A-Lot:

As you’re packing school lunches, snap a picture to enter Save-A-Lot’s #PackNSnap Sweepstakes.  You could win a GRAND PRIZE of a $100 Save-A-Lot Gift Card + Ipad Mini 2!  (Sweepstakes runs from 7/27/2016 through 9/7/2016.)

HOW TO ENTER:

Step 1: SNAP IT: Take a photo of your back-to-school lunch, breakfast or on-the-go snack.

Step 2: SHARE IT: Upload your photo HERE or on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.

Step 3: TAG IT: Make sure to include #PackNSnap to qualify!

 

And Save-A-Lot has graciously offered TWO $25 Save-A-Lot Gift Card to giveaway to two lucky B-Inspired Mama readers, too.  No lunch packing required for this one!  Just enter here for a chance to win…

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Save-A-Lot. The opinions and text are all mine.