Easy school lunch planner (free download!)

We're heading back to school soon here, so I'm revamping our routines and chore charts to try to get us off on the right foot. My oldest will be entering first grade, and will have to bring his lunches for the first time.

He's very excited. Me? A little less so. Because I'll be the one doing all the making and packing. However, I think I've found a way that my six-year-old can help with making his lunch, and end up with something he wants to eat: an easy school lunch planner!


We sat down together and brainstormed some ideas for things to put in his lunch. I came up with the basic categories (main dish, fruit/vegetable, side, drink and dessert) and we listed several ideas in each. Next, I typed the foods and categories up and color coded them.

Next, I want to laminate and cut out the category cards and the food slips. The category cards could go on the front of organizing boxes, or they could go above hooks, and the food slips could be strung on metal rings to hang on the hooks.

The Ready? category is for the final check of questions: do you need a spoon or fork? Do you have your water bottle, sandwich and lunch box? There is also a Shopping category to use the food slips as a reminder to stock up.

Want the file? It's a totally free printable! Click here to view the PDF of this school lunch menu board! (Click on the printer icon on the gray bar above the document to print.)

Some more menu planning board ideas that you could adapt to this:




This way, you get your kids involved in picking and maybe even packing (and hopefully eating!) their own lunches.

How do you organize your kids' school lunches?

5 comments :

Heather Landry said...

My son always wants the SAME thing. Peanut butter and jelly, carrots, pretzels, and water. I'd like to include a bigger variety, but I know he wouldn't eat it. Your idea is really great! I wish I could use it.

allisamazing said...

What great ideas! Thanks for sharing them :)

Tracy said...

These are some great ways to organize your childs school lunches :)

Just Jaime said...

Very fun idea! Way to get your kids involved. Next year you can use Spanish!

Anonymous said...

I love the organization!! Found you at Tattertots & Jello.

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