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Home » Recipes » Lunch Ideas » 5 Tricks for Packing School Lunches Like a Cool Mom – Even if You’re Not

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

By Krissy of B-Inspired Mama 6 Comments

Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links; as an affiliate and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure policy for more information.

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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.

 

5 Super Simple Tricks for Packing School Lunches like a Cool Mom - Even if You're Not - B-Inspired Mama

 

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:

Packing School Lunches like a Cool Mom - Even if You're Not - Making Fun Sandwich Bags - at B-Inspired Mama

 

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.

 

Packing School Lunches like a Cool Mom - Even if You're Not - Make Ahead Circle Sandwiches - at B-Inspired Mama

 

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.

 

Packing School Lunches like a Cool Mom - Even if You're Not - An Easy Colorful Kids Lunch - at B-Inspired Mama

 

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.

 

Packing School Lunches like a Cool Mom - Even if You're Not - A Fun Super Mario Kids Lunch - at B-Inspired Mama

 

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.

 

5 Super Simple Tricks for Packing School Lunches like a Cool Mom - Even if You're Not One - B-Inspired Mama

 

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.

 

Packing School Lunches like a Cool Mom - Even if You're Not - Find the Basics at Save-A-Lot - B-Inspired Mama

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.

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Filed Under: Lunch Ideas, Recipes Tagged With: Back to School, Lunch Box Ideas, School Lunches

About Krissy of B-Inspired Mama

Former M.Ed Art Teacher. Current Blogger & Social Media Influencer. Always Crazy & Creative Mama of 3.

Previous Post: « A Summer Time Capsule Printable to Freeze Kids’ Summer Memories
Next Post: 4 Steps to a Girly Party or Playdate your Daughter will Adore »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sarah Mayer says

    August 24, 2016 at 1:04 PM

    I always pack the lunches the night before.. you never know what a school morning will hold!

    Reply
    • Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says

      August 24, 2016 at 1:29 PM

      Very true!

      Reply
  2. Sarah Carpenter says

    August 19, 2016 at 6:55 PM

    This is my first year packing lunches for school (my baby is going to kindergarten ::sob::,) so my favorite tip is the circle sandwiches. My lunch is usually leftover sandwich crusts anyway, so this way I’ll still get my lunch even if he’s not home!

    Reply
  3. Tonya flores says

    August 19, 2016 at 3:30 PM

    I get Lunches ready the night before so they are ready to go in the am.

    Reply
  4. Tracie Cooper says

    August 19, 2016 at 2:34 PM

    I pack all my lunch items on the Sunday before the school week starts!

    Reply
    • Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says

      August 19, 2016 at 2:55 PM

      So smart!

      Reply

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