It’s finally summer time! I love the summer, and so do my kids. We spend a lot of time playing outside, swimming, riding bikes or just enjoying the sunshine. I’m so excited for all the fun we are going to have this summer!
What I don’t look forward to is making 3 meals every. single. day. I love to cook. But man, trying to figure out what to make every single day for breakfast, lunch and dinner is tiring. Especially on the days that we are also running off to the pool or other fun activities. And because I’m lazy, I’m always trying to find ways to make everything in life easier. Which is why I started making the same kids lunch multiple times a week.
The lunch I make is ridiculously easy, and it’s going to become your go to this summer. I’m telling you, you’re gonna love it and so are your kids. You just need a few things. And it’s quite possible that you already make this lunch regularly too! If you do, comment below what items you add!
What Do I Need?
First things first, grab a cutting board or serving tray. Use whatever you’ve got. I like to use a pretty wooden cutting board because it looks extra fancy. My kids don’t care, but I care and it makes me happy. Once you’ve got your tray, head to the fridge.
Now it’s time to fill your board. I like to start with a protein, so that’s what I look for first. Here are some ideas:
- Lunch Meat
- Jerky or Smoked Sausages (In the above picture, I used Bavarian Meat Lil’ Landjaeger. Our whole family LOVES these. I get them at Costco)
- Hard Boiled Eggs
- Shredded Rotisserie Chicken
- Yogurt Pouch (or gogurts)
- Sliced Cheese
I usually pick at least 2 protein sources for us. My kids favorites are turkey lunch meat, sliced cheddar cheese and jerky.
Once I’ve got a few protein options, I add a some fruits and veggies. If I want my kids to try a new veggie or fruit, this is a great opportunity for an exposure. Here’s some ideas we love:
- Blueberries
- Carrots
- Strawberries
- Celery
- Broccoli
- Oranges
- Apples
- Pickles
And now that we’ve got protein, fruits and veggies, it’s time for the fun part. Now it’s time to add basically anything you see that needs to be used in your fridge or pantry, or anything that your kids will love. Sometimes I add a fun treat. And sometimes I add leftover pancakes. Here’s some more ideas:
- Vanilla Wafers
- Ritz Crackers
- Popcorn (this is a choking hazard for under 5 though, so be mindful of that)
- Chocolate Chips
- Tortilla Chips
- Waffles or Pancakes (I usually put leftovers from breakfast in the fridge or freezer, then toast for later)
- Peanut Butter (I put a small scoop on little spoons)
That’s all! There are no rules to this lunch, and I make a different combination each time. You can add whatever you want. I just recommend making sure you have at least 1 or 2 things that each kids likes and will eat. It’s always a hit with my kids. And it is so easy to put together and clean up. You could also use a tray like this one, and take it with you to the beach, pool, or on the road. Keep this easy, fancy kids lunch idea in mind this summer for busy days. Then comment below what combinations you and your kids love!
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