Mabel’s Labels washaway lunch box notes are the perfect way to include something special in their lunch bag. These lunch box labels will completely disappear each night; just wash them either in the dishwasher or by hand, and they’ll quickly and easily disintegrate. Each pack comes with 24 labels, so there is enough to cover the first week, plus any special days or a note on the days when they need a little extra encouragement.

If your kids are young and unable to read yet, here are some cute ways to include a note that they’ll understand and appreciate. Kindergarten teacher Jennifer Lewis told us that the best part of her day is seeing a child’s face light up when they open their lunch bag and see a note from their parents!”

Kindergarten notes to include in your child’s lunch:

If your kids are young and unable to read yet, here are some cute ways to include a note that they’ll understand and appreciate. Kindergarten teacher Heather McNulty told us that the best part of her day is

• Stick figure drawings of you and your child surrounded by hearts.
• A big heart with the word LOVE (usually by kindergarten, it’s a word they can recognize)
• A classic smiley face

Notes for a grade school lunchbox:

Sometimes a kid just needs some little encouragement from parents; it can refuel their confidence throughout the day. It reminds them of the comforting connection they have to home, while giving them a little boost they need to brighten their day.

• Hope you’re having a great day!
• Can’t wait to see you after school!
• I love you to the moon and back!
• I’m so proud of you!
• Keep being you!

Notes for days when they need extra encouragement:

Letting your kids know that you’re proud of them, regardless of the outcome of their day, is really important. Knowing they have support from home makes it easier for them to cope with the experiences that may be overwhelming them.

• I’m so proud of how hard you’ve worked.
• Good luck with your test today!
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
• Don’t give up!
• Keep working hard!

Fun notes to add to your child’s lunchbox:

Sometimes just making them laugh is the best medicine. These fun notes, on a random day can strengthen the connection you have with your child.

• You’re one smart cookie!
• You’re a sweetie!
• You are the apple of my eye.
• You are berry special.For more back-to-school content, check out our guide for all things school!

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My youngest is picky on a good day. He doesn’t like sandwiches. He turns his nose up at wraps. He doesn’t like cold vegetables. He won’t eat cheese. He hates yogurt with the “chunks” in it. He’ll only eat plain vanilla. Watermelon is too squishy. Oranges are too juicy. He’s the kid that will tell me he likes something one week and then stop eating it the next. He’d live off buns, mac and cheese, muffins, and croutons if you let him. Yes, croutons.

When it comes to packing lunches, he’s a challenge to put it mildly. So, when he tells me he wants hot food in his lunch, I know this will probably only last a week before he tells me he doesn’t like hot food in his lunch anymore. I think a week might be generous.

If I’m going to give this hot lunch thing a whirl though, I’m going to do it right! So, I did a bit of research, talked to some Mom friends who have kids that actually like food, and I came up with a few tips to make sure packing hot lunches this winter goes smoothly.

Tip #1 – Buy a Good Thermos

My biggest tip for packing hot lunches this winter is the thermos. You need a good thermos. We love Omie because you can have the thermos and lunchbox in one!

You know the saying “you get what you pay for”? Well, it’s probably true in this case. If your kids are anything like my youngest, they can be a little rough on things. So, you’ll want to invest in a thermos that will not only keep things hot but will also withstand being bumped all over the place! (We’re on water bottle #3 already this year!)

Tip #2 – Keep Food Hot

Okay, so most of us think if we put the food into the thermos steaming hot, it will still be steaming hot at lunch time, right? Well, not always. So, here’s what you do – boil a pot of water and pour it into the thermos while you’re preparing lunches. Then, drain the thermos right before you add in the food. The heat from the water will warm up the thermos to keep food hot until it’s ready to eat.

Tip #3 – Prevent Sogginess

Kids love chicken nuggets, right? But they don’t love soggy chicken nuggets. Trust me. So, stuff the bottom of the thermos with a paper towel to absorb all the liquid and prevent foods from getting soggy. Brilliant, isn’t it? I’d love to take the credit for this one, but I read it online somewhere and I just thought it was genius!
The best items to keep hot are always liquids like soups, stews and saucy pastas!

Tip #4 – Variety

That thermos isn’t just for soup and chicken nuggets! There are so many delicious items you can pack so the kids still have a hot lunch without getting bored. Think chili, pasta dishes, pizza rolls, even dinner leftovers like meatloaf or stir fry. I mean, my kid won’t eat half of those things, but I’m hoping yours will.

It also helps to engage them with their lunch, so keep things fun and kid-friendly by packing condiments/snacks on the side for dipping or sprinkling, like crackers or cheese to go with soup or pasta. When they can engage with their food it makes for an exciting lunchtime!

Packing lunches is not always easy, but I hope these tips help as we head into those winter months. Oh, and if you’re a hot lunch packing pro, we’d love to hear from you! Share any tips we may have missed in the comments below.

The post Tips for How to Pack a Hot Lunch appeared first on The Mabelhood.

1. Sweet Potato Fries
   

   Kids love French fries, so I thought I would develop a healthier version. You can cut up the potatoes a night prior, and just air fry them with a drizzle of olive oil, and they are ready to go. Letting them completely cool off before packing them in their lunch box will prevent them from getting soggy.

2. Healthy Dips
   

   Everything tastes good with a good dip. If there are certain veggies that you want your child to try, you can add a healthy dip along with it to make it more appetizing. Air-fried veggies are crunchy and go very well with hummus, guacamole, or any other dip your child enjoys.

3. Pita Pizza
   

   This quick and easy snack takes only a few minutes to make, and the kids love it. All you need to do to make it is, spread some pizza sauce over pita bread, add chopped veggies of your choice, and sprinkle it with cheese. It can go in an oven-toaster, or you can pop it in the oven to bake until the cheese melts.

4. Pasta
   

   This is my go-to hack when I don’t have time to think about what to make. Boil some pasta; it could be spaghetti, macaroni, or anything you know your child likes. Then, in a pan, add some leftover veggies or meat from dinner, add some pasta sauce, mix it up, and your kids will love it.

5. Wraps
   

   Wraps are versatile, and you can adjust them according to your child’s preference. Grilled or baked chicken goes well with crunchy lettuce and a good sauce. They are filling and very delicious.

6. Tacos
   

   If you have made minced meat for dinner, the leftover can make great lunch for the next day. Fill the shells with the meat and veggies of your choice, and they are good to go.

7. Egg/Veggie Fried Rice
   

   This can be made a night before, and you can warm it up before packing it in the morning. Fry some carrots, green onions, lettuce, corn and an egg in very little oil. Add boiled rice and some soya sauce in it and mix it up. You can omit or add the vegetables according to your child’s taste.

8. Finger Fish
   

   Kids love a snack that is easy to hold and eat, and finger fish is exactly that. You can add some tartar sauce to go along with it, if your child prefers.

While preparing a healthy lunch can be overwhelming for most of us, parents should know that they can send in anything that their child enjoys. There will be days when you will receive an uneaten lunch box and there will be days when you receive an empty one. What matters is that our children develop a healthy relationship with their food. You are doing a great job filling the little learners bellies! Also, don’t forget to order your lunchbox labels! 

Here is a great recipe you can try that the kids might love.

The post 8 Easy School Lunch Ideas for Your Picky Eating Kindergartener appeared first on The Mabelhood.