It’s week two of our Back to School Sweepstakes and we’re excited to announce that culinary class is not cancelled – in fact, we have a few awesome lunch ideas that you and your kiddos will love. The best part about these bento boxes is that they can accommodate even the pickiest of eaters, and adults can enjoy them too by using them as meal prep containers for the week.
We put together two bento box ideas in our household – the Garden Box and the Power Box – both scrumptious in different ways, with macro-nutrients depending on you (or your child’s) needs. I love both, and they can certainly accommodate a ‘food mood’ depending on what you’re craving!
What I personally love most about bento boxes, is that they’re a great way to experiment with what your little ones may like – maybe they’re not eating much of the cherry tomatoes, and maybe they’re digging into the apples and PB – good intel for next time! I also love that these make for great on-the-go snacking and can be shared with friends or family no matter where you are, and whatever is left over can be simply saved for later (great for reducing food waste too!)
Being a big snacker myself, I like to prep a bento the night before and snack on different sections throughout the following work day when the busy day gets away from me! I always like a nutrient-packed piece of fruit like an apple with a sprinkle of cinnamon, and lately I have been loving our Starr Ranch Growers apples with the Litehouse Creamy Cheesecake Greek Yogurt dip – this almost feels like dessert minus the guilt! Following my favorite fruits, I typically like various nuts, granola, and a handful of seasonal veggies.
A few of our favorite bento box combos to try at home:
- Greek yogurt tzatziki, falafels, diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes
- PBJ, snap peas, apples, carrots
- Apples and cinnamon, granola, dark chocolate
- Sliced peaches, yogurt, pecans, pretzels
- Crackers, nut butter, mixed berries, salami slices
- Black beans, shredded cheese, lettuce, corn, shredded tortillas
Are you a fan of bento boxes? Do your kiddos love them too? To win your very own Pottery Barn Bento Boxes and a Kids Kindle Fire if you want to entertain the kiddos while you prep, head on over to our Instagram to enter to win! Winner will be announced 8/28 at 12PST on our Instagram stories. Good luck, and happy bento prepping!