Most of the time, the toughest customers are not customers at all — they are our kids. One day they claim they love sandwiches and the next they refuse to eat them at all. For busy parents, this adds a huge amount of unnecessary stress to the process of packing lunches. Instead of giving in and allowing your children to buy heavily processed food from the lunch line, be sure to try out some of these bento lunch box recipes that are guaranteed to please even the pickiest of eaters.
1. Mac and Cheese with a Hot Dog Octopus
Who says ocean dioramas should only make an appearance during science class? This mac and cheese with a hot dog octopus says otherwise. Cut a hot dog in half and slice halfway up until you have eight “legs,” then boil the hot dogs until the legs curl up. Place boiled hot dogs next to shell shaped macaroni for a nautical themed bento lunch box.
2. Taco Pop Tarts
Nothing is more frustrating than trying to help your kids eat a hard-shell taco without spilling the contents everywhere. These “taco pop tarts” are one of the best bento lunch box recipes for your children. They include healthy elements such as beef, beans, and corn; but have just enough cheese and pie crust to appeal to picky eaters. As an added bonus, these pop tarts are incredibly easy to meal prep with. According to the creator of the recipe, they are freezable for up to two months, so you can make them in large batches and simply thaw them for a quick lunch.
3. “Peanut Butter and Jelly 2.0”
It started as an internet sensation and it is a guaranteed way to win the “Coolest Mom in the World” award! With equal parts protein-packed spreads (almond butter, peanut butter, and hazelnut spread) and sugary treats (marshmallow fluff, honey, and fruit preserves), this version of the peanut butter and jelly is a quick and creative way to make your child’s day.
4. Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups with Wheat Thins
Ham and cheese roll-ups with wheat thins make up the ideal lunch for kids who like to “graze” throughout the day. These easy to grab components take the pressure out of lunchtime. Instead of a large, overwhelming ham and cheese sandwich, your kids can grab a roll up and avoid the excess calories that come with a sandwich roll. To make these snacks, start by laying a slice of deli ham out on a clean surface (we recommend Wegmans Honey Glazed Ham) and lay your child’s favorite cheese on top of the ham. Starting at the top, roll the ham and cheese toward you slowly so the cheese does not break. Lay each roll gently into the large section of a bento lunch box or other lunch container. Substitute Wheat Thins for a sandwich roll and this lunch is ready to go!
5. Mini Energy Bites
These mini energy bites are simple to make, have a nutritional composition that would impress a bodybuilder, and taste like a dessert. To package these treats in your children’s lunches, use a bento lunch box and position the dividers according to how many varieties of energy bites you plan to pack.
6. Pac-Man Bento Lunch Box
Traditional Japanese bento lunch boxes are first and foremost for carrying food, but the design of the food inside is almost equally as important. This video game throwback “Pac-Man bento lunch box” gives a nod to traditional bento lunch box designs while providing your kids with a healthy lunch that will be the talk of the cafeteria for the rest of the week.
7. DIY Pizzas
DIY pizzas are a sneaky way to get the kids to do the cooking for you! Start by laying slices of naan bread on a greased baking sheet. Let your kids spread bruschetta, pesto, and/or marinara sauce on the naan bread. Finish this easy twist on pizza by layering mozzarella and other toppings and baking at 300 degrees for 8-10 minutes. After the pizzas are finished baking, cut them into strips and place them in a bento lunch box with no dividers. This is by far one of the best bento lunch box recipes for your kids to enjoy!
The Right Bento Lunch Box For Your Bento Lunch Box Recipes
When you are planning your kids’ lunches, you put time, effort, and love into each meal. When you use a Kangovou bento lunch box, you can feel good knowing that the mothers who designed these boxes put that same amount of love and attention to detail into the creation of these boxes that you put into the lunch that goes in them. To browse a wide variety of bento lunch boxes that are BPA free and perfect for children of all ages, as well as to try these or implement your own bento lunch box recipes, check out the shop at Kangovou.com today!
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