How to Pack a Kids' Lunch Without Sandwiches

How many times have you packed a PB&J sandwich? If you're tired of packing sandwiches, just imagine how tired your child is of eating them. Take a look at some nonsandwich lunch ideas below and see which ones might suit your child.

Things You'll Need

• Aluminum Foil
• Thermoses
• Chopsticks
• Plastic Bags
• Plastic Food Containers
• Plastic Utensils
• Lunch Boxes
• Plastic bags
• Plastic food containers

Instructions

1. Do you have one of those kids who could eat pizza for breakfast, lunch and dinner? A slice of leftover cheese or vegetable pizza from the night before can turn into today's quick lunch entrée. Try frozen bagels or mini-bagels for a fun way to have leftover pizza.

2. Make a batch of muffins, wrap them individually and put them in the freezer. Just pop one in the lunchbox in the morning and it will be defrosted by lunchtime.

3. Leftover chow mein or fried rice can make a fun lunch. Remember to pack a fork or chopsticks.

4. Make roll-ups instead of a sandwich. Just lay a thin deli slice of ham or turkey on top of a thin deli slice of cheese and roll them up. Spread on light cheese spread or canola mayonnaise before you roll it up if desired. Cut them in half and wrap them in foil. Throw in a few wheat crackers to complete the meal.

5. Leftover fried chicken breast or chicken breast strips can be a nice lunch alternative. To keep the chicken cold, pack a frozen box of fruit juice next to it.

6. Make nachos. Pack a small bag of reduced-fat tortilla chips and fill a small plastic container with light cream cheese or cheese sauce topped with salsa.

7. Try vegetable sushi - seaweed rolls or bean curd shells filled with rice. Add a single-serving container of soy sauce, available in many Asian food markets.

8. Pack a picnic with crackers, cheese, meat slices (choose lean salami, ham or turkey), and some fresh fruit. The kids can make their own cracker sandwiches.

9. Make a graham cracker sandwich. Spread a graham cracker with light cream cheese or peanut butter. Sprinkle the peanut butter with mini chocolate chips for a peanut butter cup sandwich.

10. Pack a whole-grain bagel with a light cream cheese spread.

11. Pack soup with a spoon and some oyster crackers or other fun crackers. This works great during the colder school months.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to keep hot foods hot (in insulated or vacuum-sealed containers) and cold foods cold (with frozen juice boxes or ice gel packs).