It’s nearly back-to-school time, and for most parents this will mean getting back into the routine of making school lunches. It’s a great idea to start getting your children to help out with lunches from a young age. Not only can it prepare them to start making their own lunches, but it also lets them be involved in the decisions around their own food, which makes them more likely to eat their lunch!
What Age Can Your Child Start Making Their Own School Lunch?
Children can start helping to make their school lunches straight away! At the beginning, this may look like picking what fruit to have as a snack, or what sandwich fillings they’d like, and having a hand in making this. Getting them to learn to butter bread or fill their food flask (if you are opting for a hot meal) is great for dexterity and learning coordination.
Here are my top 5 reasons why you should start including your child in the process:
It Saves You Time
While younger children will need more assistance initially, investing the time now will pay off in the future. Once they are a small bit older and confident in the kitchen, it will be one less task for you in the daily routine
Kids Eat What They Make
When kids are involved in preparing their own school lunches, they are more likely to eat them. There will be no surprises in their lunchboxes. When deciding what to put in your kids lunchbox, ensuring that their lunches are balanced is very important.
This means that every day your child is getting at least one item from the three main food groups in their lunchbox: carbohydrates, protein, fruit and/or vegetables. Including all food groups also ensures your child gets their fiber intake. For more information on how to make a balanced lunch check out my blog and for healthy lunch recipes check my Lunchbox Made Easy Recipe Book.
Creativity and Decision-Making:
They get to make choices about what they eat, which can enhance their creativity and decision-making skills. Offer a variety of textures and colours
Promotes Independence
Allowing children to make their own lunches fosters a sense of independence. It helps them feel capable and responsible, giving them a boost in self-esteem. This small daily task can lead to greater confidence in taking on other responsibilities.
Encourages Healthy Eating Habits
When children are involved in making their own lunches, they learn about balanced meals and healthy choices. This early exposure to nutrition can set the foundation for lifelong healthy eating habits. It builds confidence in the kitchen and teaches them about food—it's a win-win!
Here are some easy Lunch Recipes to get you started:
- Mozzarella and Pesto Melt - Pesto and cheese is such a fab combination! This is equally divine without heating it on a pan - just use ciabatta bread instead for a delicious sandwich.
- Chicken Quesadillas - Get creative with your fillings for a healthy, fuss-free lunch for your kids.
If you struggle for time in the mornings, why not start by offering them the choice between your batch cooked meals. I always have child portion of my chicken curry and chili to hand in the freezer. On busy mornings it’s easy to offer a choice to your child, and have your lunch prepared in a matter of minutes by reheating and adding to a food flask.
At Mummy Cooks, we have a wealth of advice on feeding your family. We cover everything from meal prep and slow cooker recipes to moving baby on to family foods and preparing food safely. So whether you're looking for quick and easy meal ideas or want to learn more about healthy eating, we've got you covered - Feeding the Family Advice page
