Making School Lunches a Little More Fun With Bento Boxes

Collier children have been back in school for just about a week and I'm guessing that at least a few parents have already heard the "I didn't like my lunch" whine. What can mom and dad do to make a packed lunch healthier and more fun? How about one of the trendy new "bento" box lunches? Most kids enjoy eating a little of this and a little of that so one of the cool separated lunch boxes is perfect. Don't let the photos fool you, these lunches are pretty easy to assemble!

1. Check out this site first for ideas on containers for your bento lunches. The author reviews  several and has links to sources. A variety of the separated boxes are available locally at Target. I like her suggestion for starting out with the simple plastic Ziploc containers that have separate compartments. If your children like it, you can invest in more elaborate lunch boxes.

http://smashedpeasandcarrots.blogspot.com/2013/04/bento-lunches-part-two-containers.html

2. This blogger offers a year filled with bento box ideas. She's pretty involved in the entire concept and I doubt most parents have time or interest in cutting out puzzle shapes or making smiley faces on marshmallows. The site does have great suggestions for foods to include in your child's lunch box.

http://www.meetthedubiens.com/2013/06/this-week-in-bento-boxes-finishing-off-the-year.html

3. This site doesn't have recipes but you can use the photos to get some basic ideas of what to include in a lunch. Fruit, yogurt, granola–all easy to assemble and favorites of a lot of children.

http://thelivelykitchen.com/2011/09/12/school-lunches-checking-back-in/

4. Another site with some pretty elaborate ideas. But they can all be simplified and you'll get more ideas on what to include to please your child.

http://www.bentoschoollunches.com

5. This site offers a lot of basic information that is quite useful and some photos of gorgeous packed boxes. Some of the suggestions are really simple but result in beautiful boxes.

http://alphamom.com/family-fun/how-to-make-a-kids-bento-box/