Even with your best intentions, making your child’s lunch can become a chore. In goes the protein, drink, veggies, and snack. But what about adding something extra special? With these easy — and totally doable — tricks, you can give your kid a sweet little surprise in the middle of the day!
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PLAY WITH COOKIE CUTTERS
Cookie and fondant cutters are like the Swiss Army knife of lunch packing. They’re quick, easy to handle, and endlessly versatile. Use them to instantly upgrade fruits and veggies, or to add panache to an otherwise boring sandwich. With so many cute ones out there, it’s easy to go overboard, but with a little imagination, one cutter can produce multiple shapes without taking up much space in your kitchen. Three great ones to start with are a heart, a flower, and a snail cutter.
FLOWER-SHAPED CUTTER
Make the classic shape into these cheesy owl eyes, or slice each cutout in half and layer over Nutella to make clouds. Cut the “petals” like a pie to make raindrops.
SNAIL CUTTER
A snail makes a great cheese sandwich (we used sliced Colby jack), or flip it the other way for a honeydew whale. Even cooler: Cut out the middle to create a cheese letter.
HEART-SHAPED CUTTER
This shape takes flight as wings for a dragonfly or birdie.
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CONJURE A CHARACTER
If the idea of re-creating a movie or TV character is daunting, take a minimalist approach and make something symbolic that’s still recognizable. We used Mini Babybel cheese and grape fruit leather to make a Pokémon ball; a zigzagged slice of cheese on pumpernickel creates Charlie Brown’s shirt; and zucchini glasses with a red bell pepper lightning bolt reminds kids of Harry Potter.
Sausage and sautéed zucchini show their whimsical side thanks to fun food picks. $3 for 8; bentology.net
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STICK IT ON A SKEWER
Skewers are all the rage on Pinterest, but they can get cumbersome and pokey for pint-size palates. Use smaller, more kid-friendly alternatives, such as reusable food picks, or ice-pop or lollipop sticks, and pair them with some unexpected lunchtime fare!
— Stack tortellini on a bamboo pick, snip the tip, and send a side of marinara.
— Breakfast for lunch is always a yes! Add waffles and strawberries to a Popsicle stick.
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BAKE IN A MOLD
It’s easy to craft butterflies, stars, flowers, and more from food — with the help of silicone bakeware. Buy a few different styles, and then whip up a bunch of freezer-friendly muffins, frittatas, and granola bites to have on hand when inspiration (or time!) is low. Here, are three recipes to try.
—EASY FRITTATAS
Preheat oven to 350 F. Whisk together 6 eggs, 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup chopped veggies, and salt and pepper. Pour into muffin cups, filling about 3/4 full. Bake 18 to 20 minutes.
2. PUMPKIN-SPICE MUFFINS
Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease baking molds with coconut oil. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, 1 heaping tablespoon pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. In a separate bowl, mix together 1 can pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup honey, a 5.3-oz. container plain Greek yogurt, 2 large eggs, and 6 tablespoon melted coconut oil. Pour wet ingredients into the flour mixture; stir to combine. Transfer batter to molds. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size; check using a toothpick.
3. NO-BAKE GRANOLA BITES
Melt 1/4 cup coconut oil, 1/4 cup raw honey, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a saucepan over medium heat. When it bubbles and foams, turn heat to low. Add 1 1/2 cups rolled oats, 1 cup chopped nuts, 1/4 cup ground flaxseed, and cook on low for 2 minutes, stirring to coat. Pour granola into the mold; press in firmly. Cool at room temperature for an hour; remove and add toppings if desired. (We dipped them in melted dark chocolate and yogurt chips and then added coconut flakes and freeze-dried fruit pieces.) Store in an airtight container.
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WRITE A NOTE No time — or patience — for crafty lunch ideas? You can simply drop a note, joke, or drawing in that brown bag and call it a day. Products that make it a breeze: Napkids speech-bubble napkins ($3 for 50; Kroger stores); Lunchtime LOL Notes with silly jokes ($34; landofnod.com); and Lunchbox Notes with scratch-off messages ($15 for 20; inklingspaperie.com).
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