Lunchbox Cures for the Back-to-School Blues

Late August has arrived, meaning it's time to start winding down and begin thinking about back-to-school supplies, earlier bedtimes, carpool schedules and of course, packing lunches! Here are some of my favorite school-themed lunch ideas that make those first days back to school extra special.

Don't forget to pack your sharpened no. 2 pencils! This fun pencil sandwich is simply an open-faced bologna and cheese sandwich, cut into a rectangle. Make a small triangle with the leftover bread scraps for the pencil tip. Add a dab of black food coloring to the tip, and you have an unforgettable back-to-school sammie. In this Sistema's Lunch Cube to Go, I also packed a Lucky Charms® Marshmallow Treats bar, blueberries and carrots.

My daughter will be starting 3rd grade, and what better way to start off the year than with a lunch full of 3’s? Using small cookie and clay cutters, I left a special message in the bread of her sandwich, along with some fresh fruit 3’s.

Wouldn't your little student be excited to see apple shaped quesadillas packed for lunch? Not only are these fun to eat, but are a cinch to make. Using kitchen scissors, simply cut out the shape of an apple shape from a prepared quesadilla. Complete this lunch off with some fresh fruit, a Mott's® Snack And Go Strawberry Applesauce Pouch and a Nature Valley® Crunchy Apple Crisp Granola Bar. Hate to waste the extra parts of the quesadilla? (I know I do!) Save those scraps and use them as a yummy salad topper for your work lunch.

Just because you can’t check in with your child ‘til after school doesn't mean you can't let them know you're thinking of them. A quick note tucked into their midday meal is bound to be treasured the whole day through.

Turn a plain sandwich into a smile by adding some letter cut-outs. Here I used small cookie cutters on a Fruit Roll-Up® and placed them on top of my daughter's sandwich. So cute and so easy! (Cheese slices and lunch meats are also great for cut-outs.) On the other side of the Sistema's Lunch Cube to Go, I packed some number shaped cookies, a Yoplait Go-GURT® stick, fresh veggies with a small container of dip. 

Do you have any back-to-school lunch strategies that rule? From cute touches or pro-packing tips, I’d love to hear what you’re whipping up this fall.