Back to School 2011: 10 Great Lunch Ideas

A new school year is upon us and it's time for moms and dads to start getting ready for the kids to return to school. Once you have purchased all of the supplies, a new back pack and lunch box, and that first day of school outfit, it's time to think about what to pack the kids for lunch.

Patch has put together a list of 10 great lunches to help give parents in the community some new and fresh ideas for school lunch.  So get your lunch boxes ready!

The sandwich is the staple of a school lunch, but many moms have given the sandwich a new twist.

• A peanut butter and jelly sandwich is still a classic favorite of many kids, but due to allergy concerns it's not allowed in many districts at this point. A possible revamp on the legacy sandwhich is jelly and butter.   
• Wrap it up in a whole grain wrap.  Grill up some chicken, add some shredded cheese and salsa and the kids will love a Mexican wrap.  You can add some lettuce and tomatoes to the wrap for a serving of veggies as well.
• Does your child prefer salads to sandwiches? Then they might love a salad-stuffed pita. Fill a pita pocket with all of their favorite veggies, and pack the dressing on the side so the sandwich doesn’t get soggy before lunch.
• Ritz crackers tuna sandwiches are a favorite lunch for my kids. To make the lunch even more fun, pack the crackers and tuna separately so the child can make their own tuna cracker sandwiches at lunch.

Many moms that have picky eaters turn popular side choices into a healthy filling lunch for their finicky eaters.

• All kids love to “dip” food, so bread sticks and a cup of peanut butter is a fun, protein-packed lunch that will keep them full until they get home.
• Another popular snack lunch that will keep the kids from getting hungry before they get home is a yogurt, cheese stick, apple slices and Ritz's crackers.

Serve a “Hot Lunch” from home. Many kids love buying lunch, but the cost of that every day can add up. Instead of buying each day pick up a Thermos when you are out school shopping and your kids can enjoy a hot meal for lunch. To ensure the food is warm at lunchtime, microwave the lunch and make it very hot; by lunchtime it will be nice and warm.

• Bake up some mini bite size pizzas in the oven and pack them in the thermos, kids will love having pizza not just on Fridays.
• Macaroni and cheese is my daughter’s favorite.  I’ll prepare a tray of yummy homemade macaroni and cheese for dinner, then the next day heat some up and pack it in the thermos for lunch.
• As the days get cooler this fall the kids will love a Thermos full of their favorite soup. Serve with crackers for some fun dunking.

Having a crazy day? No food in the house? These are the days to give the kids buy lunch.

What ideas do you have for fun school lunches for the kids? Log in to Patch and share your ideas as a comment below.