Start by getting kids hands-on in the kitchen to pick out their favorite colors and healthy ingredients. Once you’ve chosen the menu, showcase colorful foods by grouping them separately inside the lunchbox (divided lunch tins and bento boxes work well or DIY with paper cupcake liners). Keep foods finger-friendly by including bite-sized pieces and items that don’t require utensils to eat. Remember to keep portion sizes small so little lunchers will be encouraged to eat everything you’ve packed.
Think inside the (lunch)box with these mouthwatering midday menus and get inspired to customize your own colorful combinations.
Red: Red bell pepper strips
Pink: Deli-sliced ham
Orange: Cheddar cheese cubes
Yellow: Pineapple chunks
Green: Celery sticks
Blue/Purple: Blackberries
Brown: Granola bites
White: Rice crackers
Here’s one lunchbox combination that combines fruit, crackers, dairy, and deli meats.
Red: Dried cranberries
Pink: Watermelon cubes
Orange: Carrot sticks
Yellow: Hummus snack cup
Green: Blanched sugar snap peas
Blue/Purple: Blue corn tortilla chips
Brown: Baked wheat snack crackers
White: Hardboiled egg
The hardboiled egg gives a nice filling touch to this lunch box combination.
Red: Grape tomatoes
Pink: Salami
Orange: Mandarin oranges
Yellow: Golden raisins
Green: Broccoli florets
Blue/Purple: Sliced plums
Brown: Whole wheat pretzels
White: String cheese
This is a great combination of sweet and savory!
