We're talking with Kim from Wear Love Wanders (@wearlovewanders) about lunchtime ideas for kids! At Wanderwild we looooove "to lunch" as a family and put a lot of intention behind the design of our Out To Lunch Lunchboxes. We had so much fun exchanging ideas with Kim!
Kim: Lunch is probably the most important meal for my kids. It fuels them for afternoon activities. If they eat a good lunch, it also helps reduce snacking the rest of the day and also keeps them in a better mood. I also think that it's the meal you can be the most creative with and really tailor it to each child individually if needed.
Wanderwild: What are some of your favorite meals to make for lunchtime?
Kim: We like easy for lunches. The boys like sandwiches in multiple variations: sandwiches with bread, rolled up with or without tortillas, crackers and meat in a lunchable-style, etc. We'll also add in fresh fruit, raw or cooked veggies, and something with a crunch like chips or veggie straws. All of these things are easy prep ahead of time or throw together last minute to give them a well-rounded lunch.
Wanderwild: What are some creative ways you make lunchtime fun and get your kids to eat healthy?
Kim: I really think that bento box-style lunches are the way to go for little ones. It helps to give the kids a variety of items so they're less likely to get bored with their food and it also helps with portion control. My boys are 3 and 6 and they love getting to choose what goes into their lunches. I'll usually give them a couple different options for each section so that they feel like they have some control over what they're eating. They may have to have a veggie for lunch, but they're the ones who get to decide whether they want carrots or broccoli that day.
Wanderwild: What are some of your favorite spots to unpack a lunchtime picnic and how are you doing picnics at home during this stay at home time?
Kim: When we're out of the house, our favorite way to picnic is after a morning hike. We live in a large metro area and have access to a number of fantastic parks with hiking options within 30 minutes or so from our house. One of our favorite things to do is to go on hike and then have lunch before heading home. Our state is currently under a stay-at-home order. We're allowed to hike still, but we've really been staying close to the house most of the time. When the weather's nice, we'll pack our lunches and eat on our deck in the backyard. If it's too cold or rainy, sometimes we'll build a fort and have a little picnic in the living room.
Kim, we just wish we lived closer so we could #gowanderwild on a picnic with you and your crew! Thanks for sharing all of your lunchtime ideas. We're so grateful to have you as a Wanderwild family.
