What a good lunch to pack for a preschooler other than sandwiches?

Question

My daughter's school doesn't refrigerate or microwave lunches.

DH has banned lunchables of any kind.

Answer 1

Here's a few ideas:

BOLOGNA BOAT

Bologna may not be included on most parents' Top Five Sandwich lists, but children recognize the true worth of this lunchtime standby. This version--which comes dressed as a hot dog--tastes great accompanied by a few potato chips and a pickle.

1 tsp. mustard
1 slice bologna (or turkey bologna)
1 slice American cheese
1 hot dog bun

Spread the mustard onto the slice of bologna. Top with a slice of cheese and roll them together. Place the roll in the hot dog bun and wrap it in aluminum foil. Makes 1 serving.

Tuck these in a lunch box:
• Vegetable sticks with a small container of salad dressing for dipping

• Fresh fruit

• Pretzels

• Celery sticks filled with cream cheese or peanut butter and raisins

• Fruit yogurt

• Pudding

• Crackers--plain or with peanut butter or cheese

• Cheese sticks

• Graham crackers

• Fortune cookies

• Dried fruit

• Fruit leather

• Nuts

• Tortilla chips with a small jar of salsa

• Small bags of popcorn

• Stickers

• A note from you

PIZZA IN A PITA

Few foods have a higher lunchtime approval rating than pizza. This one, with the main attractions packed inside pita bread, can be served plain for finicky types or loaded with extras, such as pepperoni, olives, or peppers, for daredevils.

Ingredients


1 whole-wheat pita bread
1/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp. pizza or tomato sauce

Directions


Preheat the oven or toaster oven to 350 degrees. Split the pita bread halfway around the edge and spoon in the cheese, tomato sauce, and any toppings. Wrap the pita in aluminum foil and bake for 7 to 10 minutes or until the cheese melts. Makes 1 serving.

GOBBLING GRANOLA

Add crunch and fiber to your child's lunch by including a small bag of this nutty snack mix. This granola also makes a great after-school treat, especially when blended in with vanilla yogurt.
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 1/2 cups uncooked, rolled oats
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup raisins
1/3 cup chopped dates
1/3 cup chopped dried apricots
1/3 cup chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Melt the butter in a 15-by-10-inch jelly roll pan. Stir in the brown sugar until combined. Stir in the oats, almonds and walnuts. Spread the mixture in an even layer in the pan.

Bake the granola for 12 to 15 minutes or until it is golden brown, stirring twice during the baking process. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and cool. When the mixture is completely cool, stir in the raisins, dates, apricots and chocolate chips.

Store it in an airtight container. Makes about 5 1/2 cups.

MUNCH BUNCH

This versatile snack can pinch-hit as either a crunchy dessert or a sweet midafternoon treat. You and your child can embellish the basic recipe by mixing in other ingredients you happen to have on hand, such as cereals, dried apricots, banana chips, nuts, chocolate and carob chips, or miniature marshmallows.

2 cups oat- or wheat-square cereal
1/2 cup M&M's (plain or peanut)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup shredded coconut

In a large bowl or plastic bag, toss all of the ingredients together. Pack 1 1/2-cup portions in individual containers or plastic bags. Makes about 3 1/2 cups.

CHICKEN YUMSTICKS

These drumsticks, which have a flavorful coating of spiced bread crumbs and grated Parmesan cheese, are perfect lunch-box finger food. You can make sure the chicken stays cold until lunchtime rolls around by packing it with a frozen juice box or a freezer "blue ice."

Ingredients


1/3 cup Italian-style bread crumbs
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/8 tsp. black pepper
8 chicken drumsticks
1/3 cup plain yogurt

Directions


Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and lightly butter a baking sheet. In a shallow dish or pie plate, mix together the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and pepper.

Using a pastry brush, carefully coat each drumstick with the plain yogurt. Next, roll the drumsticks in the bread crumb mixture until evenly coated. Arrange the drumsticks on the prepared sheet.

Bake for about 60 minutes or until the juices run clear when the meat is pierced with a fork.

Cover the drumsticks with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Makes 8 drumsticks.

VERY VEGGIE SOUP


If you make up a batch of this hearty soup on Sunday afternoon for an end-of-the-weekend supper, you will be able to reheat it for your kids' lunch thermoses throughout the week. The flavor of the soup gets better as it ages for up to a week in the refrigerator.

Ingredients


1 tbsp. olive or vegetable oil
2 large celery stalks, diced
2 large carrots, diced
1 large onion, diced
1 can (46 oz.) beef broth
2 cups water
1 can (28 oz.) whole peeled tomatoes, chopped
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1/2 small head of cabbage, shredded
1 package (9 oz.) frozen cut green beans
2 medium zucchini, diced
1 can (16 oz.) red kidney or white cannellini beans, drained
1 1/2 cups pasta in a kid-friendly shape
Salt and black pepper to taste
Grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

Directions


In a large, heavy soup pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the celery, carrots, and onion. Cook, stirring frequently for 7 to 10 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Add the broth, water, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, and green beans. Cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add the zucchini, beans, and pasta.

Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes longer, or until the pasta is tender. Season with salt and pepper and serve. Garnish with the grated cheese. Makes about 10 servings.

Answer 2

Banned lunchables?? That's un-American!

I would try the thermos containers for soup, mac & cheese, spaghetti, raviolios, etc. Pringles, and grapes make a good addition. (tip .. fill the thermos with really hot water and cover with the lid .. let stand for 5mintues... dump the water .. this will heat the container before you put the food in.)

Crackers and cheese ?

Make home-made lunchables ... they can't stop you.

Kids like simple graham crackers with frosting.

Answer 3

Have you thought about purchasing a thermos? You could always put soup in there, and it'd stay warm. Or buy some ice pack type things from Walmart or Kmart, to keep things cold.

Does the school not offer a lunch either? How annoying of them! lol

Answer 4

Preschool science
http://kids.scintro.com

Answer 5

Small yogurt/fruit cups, small tupperware containers of fruit or vegetables. Put a small, blue, refreezable ice pack in the bottom of her lunch each morning, and put it in the freezer each evening so it is ready for the next morning. It works well.

Answer 6

The chiken nugget lunchables is good, cuz they are pre cooked and ready to eat or even the pizza ones. And they're quick

Answer 7

my son loves the chef boy r dee mini bites. It is abc pasta and sauce, like spaghettios in the little microwavable containers. The portion size is great, it's fun, and tasty too!

Answer 8

I am a daycare teacher myself and we do refrigerate lunches at least!!!
But peanut butter crackers, orange slices, dry cereals, any non perishable fruit, fruit, cereal, and granola bars.

Answer 9

lunchables packs that what my daughter takes and boy does she love them

Answer 10

Peanut butter on crackers.

Celery filled with peanut butter.

A bag of breakfast cereal that she can eat with her fingers
like Cheerios or Fruit Loops.

Lettuce or tomato slices on pieces of cucumber.

Answer 11

Cut apples, peanut butter on celery (maybe raisins too), carrot sticks, granola bars, bagels with pj&j. Our old child care center used to be the same way.