Summer Lunch Ideas for the Kids

Two months from now I will be singing the back to school anthem “It’s the most wonderful time of the year…” while we gear up for a new school year, new clothes and lots of school supplies. Today, however, I am channeling my inner Olaf while “In Summer” rolls through my head. It is the last week of school and I can not wait to let the kids stay in bed in the morning. I am looking forward to taking a break from homework, walking to school and packing school lunches. It doesn’t matter how many lunch food items I buy, there are never enough on school mornings! Of course I still have to provide lunch to the kids while they are home, but without the allergy restrictions, the packaging restrictions and the refrigeration issues, we have a lot more options! I am not interested in doing a huge meal preparation every day for both lunch and supper so I have come up with some lunch ideas that don’t require a lot of time or preparation.

My lunch recommendations:

• Cold sandwiches: peanut butter and jam, egg salad, deli meat, tuna…whatever they please.
• Hot sandwiches: grilled cheese, turkey and beef are some of our favourites.
• Raw veggies platters: serve them with dip and a pickle platter for some extra variety.
• Fruit platters: add berries and a yogurt dip for some really happy kids.
• Cheese and crackers: provide a variety of crackers and cheeses so they don’t get bored.
• Wraps: wrap up their favourite ingredients in a tortilla for a fun lunch.
• Homemade subs: sub buns, cold meat, veggies and cheese are what you need to make your own subs at home.
• Salad: let them add their own salad toppings so everyone can have what they like.
• Eggs: scrambled, fried or whipped up into an omelet, they are fast and healthy too.
• Waffles: yes, I even mean the frozen ones. Sometimes you just need something that you can make in a matter of minutes!
• Leftovers: spend your time cooking supper, and make a little extra so that you can use it for lunch too!

I would love to hear your lunchtime suggestions too! Share them in the comments.