Feeding Primary school kids and after school activities.

[stillsurvinghols]

Hi all,

I wasn't sure where to put this but thought some of you lovely mums might be able to offer some tips.

I've got 3 kids. 2 are in Primary school (the other just 2). Last school year DC1 did a few activities each week but they were mainly through school. This year she has moved into KS2 (so a later start and Brownies also later) and DS is now asking to do a couple of activities so I am trying to juggle it all. The thing that I'm trying to sort out is healthy meals that could be taken with us as mine do start to struggle if I miss the food windows.

Please could you give me some ideas for foods that you take with you when you know that a sit down meal won't work that evening. One tricky day will be Tuesday where I will go straight for school to sporting activities for DC1 (4pm to 5pm) and then gymnastics for DC2 at 530. DC1 and 3 can have their meal at 530 but I will want to sort DC2 out between 4-5pm so that DC can have some energy before gymnastics (I know a snack won't be enough and he's need to eat it early to digest etc) and starting to cook at 7pm is also not going to work.....

Thanks in advance.....

p.s I do already have a Thermos Food Container so was thinking I might be able to make use of that (anyone had success / tips welcomed!)

[thisisyesterday]

can they have school dinners? if so i might do that on days when it's full-on in the evening that way you can just take some sandwiches or whatever for them afterwards

you could do something like soup and bread? soup can be drunk straight out of a flask, or in a cup.

cold rice/pasta/cous cous/potato salad with various veg included

hot pasta with variety of sauces (that''ll be fine in a thermos food container)

things like a portion of shepherd's pie, or chilli or something would be do-able in a container i reckon

[stillsurvinghols]

Unfortunately no hot dinners available :( I'd definitely go for that option :)

Soup and bread should work, especially in winter :)

[stillsurvinghols]

p.s thank you

[Mowlem]

My DDs do a lot of gymnastics and so have to eat on the run 3 days a week. I have bought an aladdin lunch box:

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/images/B0047N0WPE/ref=dp_otherviews_z_1_PT01?ie=UTF8&s=sports&img=PT01&color_name=x&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

As you are able to section off food within it, I am able to heat up all sorts and my DDs now eat macaroni cheese, sausage mash and beans, fish veg and cheese sauce, and so on. The food can be prepared in advance and I pop home to microwave it (in the pot) before I pick the children up from school and then it stays hot enough until after their gym session has finished.

What I do is to microwave the food at 3pm. DD1 (aged 7 and the one who does the gymnastics) will eat a snack at 4pm before she goes in to her class (she doesn't like to do gym on a full stomach). DD2 eats whilst DD1 is in her class and then DD1 usually eats when she finishes her gym class at 7pm. Unfortunately, this is usually in the car on the way home, but as we live a 30 min drive from gym, its not practical to do it any other way.

Not great, but it works for us.

[Mowlem]

I also have the thermos food container and that will keep things like Pasta hot, if you cook at 3 and eat at 7. But as the food is all in together you are limited as to what you can put in it - mostly pasta, rice based dishes, couscous and so on...

[stillsurvinghols]

Brilliant. Thank you. I'm onto it. :) I don't feel like I'm the only one now working out the taxi service and the meals on wheels :)

[MCos]

Baked Pasta works for us.
I cook in advance (usually having for dinner the prior evening). And heat up in microwave just before I pick up kids for from school. I work parttime, so usually use microwave at work. Kids eat it in the car.
I also prepare sandwich rolls to tide DDs over between hobbies and dinner. I would use pasta for the more athletic hobbies (gymnastics) and sandwiches for less athletic hobbies (violin/art).

I will be watching this thread for more ideas.

[savoycabbage]

I have a Thermos funtainer and one of those Aladdin thing too. I mainly put pastas and soups in them.

Sometimes I put French Toast for after school. I make it just before I go to pick up dd and put a dipping sauce in the sectioned off bit.

I also buy sushi and put that in.

[crystal07]

I always have fruit and raw veg chopped and ready to eat for dcs. on thursdays and fridays when we will be out at activities at our usual dinner time I take wraps filled with cheese or tuna. Definately tastier than sandwiches. on days I dont have time I will just take couple of slices of buttered fruit bread. Not ideal for diner but when Im getting back home with dc after long day at roughly 7pm. Its easiest and quickest option.

[crystal07]

Forgot to add rolls with cream cheese. really tasty and filling.