Day camps are in full swing! If you have a child or two signed up, you won’t get much of a break when it comes to packing lunches. And you may feel pretty tapped out of ideas. Knowing what to pack for lunches and snacks is a huge challenge for parents so to help, we have rounded up some lunch ideas to keep you going through the summer.
Not only delicious but healthy too, these Spring Rolls help kids “eat a rainbow” every day. Kids will love helping you to make these by deciding on what to put in them and even helping to roll the rice paper around the veggies.
Hummus Platter
A hummus (or other dip) platter helps you break out of the (sandwich-shaped) box. Pair hummus, or another bean dip your kids enjoy, with fresh cut veggies and crackers. Add grapes for a sweet treat and chunks of chicken for a protein boost. My “sneaky little muffins” are great alongside.
Egg Cups
Eggs are a really nutritious way to get some protein into your kids (their nutritional profile is amazing!) and they are not just for breakfast. Try this simple technique for cooking eggs as a lunchtime treat: Whisk eggs in a bowl with a pinch of salt and pepper. Grease a muffin tin with butter. Pour a small amount of whisked eggs into the tin, add diced veggies, cheese and ham, and then pour remaining eggs to fill the muffin cup. Bake in a 350 degree oven until eggs are set.
Kid-Approved Buddha Bowl
Here is a great way to use up some hummus (or other bean dip) and leftover rice. Assemble a buddha bowl with cooked brown rice, sauteed veggies (sneak in some bok choy for a hit of healthy greens), roasted chickpeas (rinse cooked or canned chickpeas, toss in olive oil and sea salt, and roast in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes or until crispy) and a dollop of hummus. If seeds are no problem at your child’s camp, top with sesame seeds and sunflower seeds for a yummy crunch.
Summer Salad
A salad can be any creative combination of your child’s favourite foods and summer is the perfect time to enjoy this take on a healthy balanced meal. Here’s a combination most kids will enjoy: toss cubed chicken with bocconcini cheese, roasted red peppers and corn (add some of your leftover roasted chickpeas for extra crunch). Mix equal parts BBQ sauce (look for a low-sugar brand) and plain greek yogurt to make a dressing. You could also substitute grated cheddar cheese for the bocconcini and try this inside a sprouted grain wrap.
Lunches don’t have to be the regular-old ham and cheese. Interesting shapes of veggies or fruit keep interest up as well as skewers of savoury and sweet foods like ham and pineapple with a basil leaf. The more inspired you are, the more your kids will be. Try these ideas and share your own below.
Lianne Phillipson-Webb is the founder of Sprout Right, a company that specializes in pre-conception, prenatal, and postnatal nutrition for women, as well as good food and health for the whole family. With over ten years of experience, Lianne is a registered nutritionist, author, member of the International Organization of Nutrition Consultants, and mother of two.
