Kid-Approved Lunches for the End of the School Year
You know you're counting down the days too.
Renee Comet, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
No one's buying new lunchboxes or sharing fun ideas for after-school snacks lately. My social feeds aren't filled with my friends' smiling kids heading to school.
Instead, we're all impatiently waiting for the pools to open. My mom friends and I are hoping our kids can focus just a little bit longer. My kids are tired of my PB&Js. I'm ready to be more lenient with bedtime.
We've got five days to go. I can do this.
I'm not saying, "You've packed over 500 lunches this year, so you should make the kids pack their own now," but you've packed over 500 lunches this year! On average, there are 180 days in the school year. While you're figuring out how many times you've zipped up your kid's lunchbox and put it by the front door so he wouldn't forget it, have him start washing some lettuce leaves. They'll add a fresh layer of flavor to these turkey-and-cream-cheese pinwheels, which keep perfectly in a lunchbox with an ice pack.
2012, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Popping chicken fingers straight from the freezer into the oven is one of my favorite pastimes. So. Easy. Make a batch of these to keep on hand for busy weeknights as well as uninspiring mornings. Don't know what to put in that thermos today? These chicken fingers will be ready in the time it takes you to get your kids out of bed.
Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Ree Drummond knows a thing or two about feeding hungry kids, so follow her lead. This lunchbox-friendly salad features cubes of Cheddar, grape tomatoes and even bacon. The recipe calls for radiatore pasta, but go ahead and make whatever fun shape your kids love most.
Con Poulos
More pasta, yes, but I've never met a kid who doesn't like pasta — nor have I ever met a parent who doesn't appreciate a good make-ahead recipe. This hearty dish is best chilled, so make it the night before and pack straight from the fridge in the morning.
Tara Donne
This might not sound like your typical kid-friendly lunchbox fare, but pack it along with some tortilla chips and it's sure to be a hit. Grill a few extra ears of corn at dinner and you'll make the prep for this salad even easier.
The end of the school year is in sight! You, we mean, your kids deserve a treat — a 5-star crispy treat, to be exact. Molly Yeh's squares are better than the bake sale staple, as hers are made with a hefty dose of peanut butter, milk chocolate chips and sprinkles. We won't blame you if you save one for yourself.
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