Tired of the peanut butter and jelly? Why not try some new lunch box ideas that will also save you money?
The Main Event
My kids love those individual meal kits that come with crackers and tiny pieces of lunch meat, a drink, and a snack. But with prices upwards of $4 a lunch, these little kits are expensive. Instead you can make your own. Just pick your favorite kit and recreate it using cookie cutters to cut out pieces of ham, turkey, cheese, or bologna!
Make an inside-out pizza that tastes great warm or cold. Layer a little bit of pizza or pasta sauce on a round flour tortilla. Add some shredded cheese and top with another flour tortilla. Grill in a non-stick skillet for a few minutes. Then make “slices” with a pizza cutter.
The Snacks
Nothing in the lunch box can make your budget go over the top than all of those individually wrapped snacks. Sure, they are convenient, but ounce for ounce they cost so much. If you want to give your kids their favorite snacks, then listen to this little secret. Simply buy those same snacks in bulk and then repackage them into small reusable containers or individual baggies.
Another great snack idea that will save you money is to make up your own homemade snacks and then freeze them for later. Your own cookies, muffins and other treats can serve as great snacks for the lunch box. Try freezing banana sections and then dipping them in chocolate for a special surprise. Using a mix, bake brownies in miniature muffin cups for homemade brownie bites. The possibilities are almost endless.
Just a little inspiration, and you are well on your way to thinking outside of the lunch box.
