Neat Freak McKinney's Back-to-School Lunch Tips

It's that time of year again--time to talk about school lunches! The new school year is around the corner, so I recently helped my daughters get their kids' lunch box items all ready before they go back to school. Preparing lunches can be a time-consuming process, but getting the kids involved can make it a lot more fun and productive.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Have kids help pack their own lunches

Get the kids involved with packing lunches and snacks for school. (Letting them pick what they want to eat ensures they will probably eat it!) I always give two choices--this or that--apple or orange, tuna or cheese, etc. I control the choices, but they still feel like they have a say.

My grandson Jack picked yogurt for his snack, and then chose to add a few chocolate chips. (Of course I said yes since I can't resist those dimples!) I love using the Sistema Mini Bites-to-Go Containers since they hold just the right amount and they are dishwasher-safe.

We also love the Flip & Go Snack Stack--it's so easy to pack up the snack the night before and have it ready to pop in the lunchbox in the morning, and it even includes a spoon! I also added a fun vinyl label so my sweet granddaughter Harper will always know which one is hers.

Another fun, inexpensive option is the Cracker & Spread Container. It comes with a spreader and can be used in so many different ways: celery and salsa or sun butter, Nutella and crackers, carrots and dip, you name it!

2. Let kids pick out their lunchbox inserts

When parents (or grandparents) let their kiddos make small decisions, it teaches them how to gather and think about information, take on more responsibility, and ultimately it helps them develop their decision-making skills for later in life. For example, my granddaughter Harper starts Kindergarten this year. She's both excited and nervous about it, but letting her pick out her own lunch box, backpack, and school supplies is helping her feel more excited than nervous.

Jack and Millie chose the Sistema Klip-It Cube-to-Go Bento Lunch Boxes, and Harper chose the Sistema Slimline Quaddie Bento Lunchbox that includes a mini water bottle!

Of course, we can't leave out Millie! She was right there with the big kids packing up her lunch box and couldn't wait to eat her snack! This will be perfect for her diaper bag when she and her mommy go out and about.

And last but not least, we added the Cool Coolers Ice Packs and now the kids are all set! Each set comes with four different colors, and they're quite compact so they fit in a freezer easily.

3. Pack lunches and snacks the night before.

Nothing is worse than starting the day off stressed. Do yourself and your family a favor by packing lunches (and backpacks) the night before. We always did it after dinner while everyone was in the kitchen, and it makes getting ready in the morning so much better!