Lunchbox Gear: What Equipment Do You REALLY need?
This is a Bento box — something that allows you to pack portion sizes in one cute little box.
I used to be a backpack guide in the Rocky Mountains, leading groups up to 14,000 foot peaks for weekly adventures in the summer.
Over the course of that summer, I became what was called a “gearhead.” I would head out to the local outfitters on the weekends with my other guide-buddies, and we’d spend our hard-earned paycheck buying more backpacking gear — partly because I was looking for creature comforts in the wild, but partly because it was strangely exhilarating to “collect” things like boot gaiters and camelpacks.
I’ve discovered that when it comes to Lunchbox Prep, it helps to have the right tools in your toolkit.
You don’t need to be a “gearhead,” but here are some of the suggestions that came from our CSA members when I asked them what equipment they use to make lunchbox prep easier.
1. Lunchbox
You may be thinking, “Duh, Corinna.”
This may seem obvious, but getting the right lunchbox is key. I learned this the hard way, when I spent my boys’ first year in school trying to stuff their lunch into a small little case that left very little room for things like a cold pack or a thermos.
For a backpack guide, this is like buying the right size backpack.
You need to know all the things you want to regularly put INTO the lunchbox, to make sure it’s the right size and shape. Thermos? Large plastic salad containers? Water bottle? Yogurt cups? And how big is that ice pack?
Aesthetics are also important here. Don’t forget your kids care about things like “how cool” their lunchbox looks. I let my boys pick out their own lunchbox this year, and although they chose a pricier one than I had hoped, I wanted them to feel some ownership for this process.
2. Ice Pack
Don’t be afraid to buy this separately if you don’t like the one that came with the bag.
I used to use 2 thin blue-colored plastic ice packs. But this year, the lunchbox we bought came with a longer-lasting icepack that’s still pretty frozen by the time it comes home from school.
I like it so much better.
Some members said they simply placed a frozen water bottle in the bag, which then doubled as a cold drink for lunchtime.
Also, consider having a back-up ice pack ready, in case your kids forget to unpack their lunch by morning. I’ve learned this the hard way. This is one of the things I’m going to be purchasing before the 14 Day Lunchbox Challenge begins.
3. Thermos
These are SO GREAT.
Having a thermos gives you the option to send hot food along for lunch — aka leftovers from dinner. (This was a common suggestion from our members).
I’m not talking about the plastic thermos bottles we had in our metal lunch boxes in the 1980s. I recommend spending some money here and getting a good brand.
We bought a Stanley brand last year, and I think my boys feel a little pride to pull it out. It looks a lot like their hard-working dad’s thermos that he pulls out on cold Saturday mornings at the Farmer’s market.
It also keeps things nice and hot for lunch.
One of our members told me to preheat your thermos by running some boiling water into the container. Pour it out, and then put your hot food inside.
I recommend taking the time to “train” your little child how to use the thermos for the first time. It wasn’t intuitive for my youngest son to know that he should dump the contents into the cup, and eat out of the cup.
Use them for hot leftovers, soups, or a hot drink. You can also use the Thermos to keep things COLD.
4. Re-usable food containers
I try to avoid wasting plastic bags every day. That doesn’t mean I don’t use them sometimes, but I prefer re-usable containers.
Having a few different sizes helps. I have round ones for holding messy berries or delicate fruits, crackers, or nuts. I use rectangular ones to hold giant salads. Flat ones to hold sandwich extras like tomatoes, pickles and lettuce.
For adults, try using Mason Jars — they are great for holding salads and other foods. Watch out — they’re breakable though!
5. Old mini glass jam containers
I bring this up because it’s a personal favorite of mine. My boys eat a lot of salads, and I use these containers to hold the salad dressing.
They are the perfect portion size for salad dressing. I can also use them for dips like salsa or hummus.
I got them when I ordered a Blue Apron box last winter. They were holding the honey for the recipes, and they were so cute that I saved the containers. I don’t really know where you can buy them, but be on the lookout for small sized jars (or use plastic).
6. Bento Boxes
I actually didn’t know what these were until a few weeks ago.
So they wouldn’t make MY personal list of lunchbox gear, but I see a LOT of moms using them on the internet for their children.
These are lunch boxes designed with small cup-sized alcoves that allow you to create single-portion servings of different items, all packed into one box. It’s a great way to “organize” your lunchbox and turn it into a work of art.
You’ve probably seen them on Instagram — cute little containers with perfectly packed, colorful menu items tucked into this one cute box.
They come in different box sizes, compartment sizes, and colors. You can find them in plastic or metal. (Our Lunchbox Challenge prize is a Bento-style box from PlanetBox).
The Lunchable is patterned after the Bento Box theme.
You could also create your own bento box simply by using a shallow Tupperware container lined with cupcake liners, filled with lunchable goodies.
I’m not sure these would work for older kids who eat more… but maybe the idea is to control portion sizes. “Bite-size” is the theme here.
Plus… it’s just pretty to look at. And let’s not deny that presentation is important to getting your child to eat.
7. Cupcake liners
I bring these up because if you’re going to be pre-baking (and freezing) muffins or quick breads to have for your lunchbox inventory, these need to be in your pantry.
We’ll be sharing some suggestions for recipes later in the Lunchbox Challenge.
8. Silverware & napkin
Don’t forget to pack the right cutlery for your kids! I like to use metal ones — I just get cheap ones so I don’t care if a few get lost in the shuffle each year.
Are you one of those moms that writes a daily note on their kid’s napkin?
I wanted to have one of those moms when I was a girl.
I tried doing that for my boys once, and they told me to stop. So I stopped sending napkins altogether!
I am now guilty of NEVER including a napkin in my boys’ lunchbox — like ever. Now that I see them lacking in table manners, I think I’ll start including this, even if it doesn’t get used.
If you’d like to take the 14 Day Lunchbox Challenge — committing to 14 days of more intentional lunchbox packing for your kids — subscribe to our Lunchbox Menu Ideas Resource below! It will give you a list of foods you can pack for each category (protein, dairy, veg/fruit, grain), PLUS it will walk you through a daily email series for 14 days to coach you through your own Lunchbox Challenge.
The 5 Things You Should NOT Be Packing Your Child’s Lunchbox
Farmer Confessions: Why Lunchbox Prep is So Stressful for Me
14 Day Lunchbox Challenge RULES
Live Contest begins: Sunday Sept. 16, 2018, 8 AM
Live Contest ends: Friday, Sept. 28, 2018, midnight
Who is eligible to participate?
Anyone can give it a go. But to be eligible to win the prize, you must be a resident of the Toledo area and be 18 years or older within the time frame.
The Rules:
You must document your journey by posting at least once in the 14 day period to be entered in the contest. Here are some ideas:
‣ pictures of the lunch you made along with a recipe
‣ meal prep hacks you used
‣ a picture of your child helping you prep
‣ a failed attempt (don’t expect your kids to 100% like this challenge)
‣ frustrations or questions
‣ resources you use to help you
You can post up to 14 times. For every post you create, you receive an additional name in the hat at the end of the challenge, increasing your odds of winning.
Prize: a PlanetBox lunchbox, valued at $55. The winner will be chosen at random by picking a name out of a hat on Sept. 30, 2018. We will announce the winner on our Facebook page.
Posts must be made on Instagram or Facebook and hashtagged #slfarmslunchbox. If you post on your personal page or IG page, just tag us @slfarms (for IG) or @SharedLegacyFarms for FB.
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with Facebook. You understand that you are providing your information to Shared Legacy Farms and not to Facebook . Any photos you take may be used by SLFarms for future marketing purposes.