Children eating packed lunch outside?

It has been an option in the summer term at every school I’ve taught at. Some places not every day. Except for one school there was an area/benches/seating for eating separate from playing and children could leave to the play area as and when but could not play and eat at the same time.

The school without this was a nightmare because the children wouldn’t eat, just play and maybe have a wee nibble on their desserts. The afternoons after playground lunch were POINTLESS. Luckily, it was not every day of summer term there.

It sounds like the soup may have been a victim of playing while eating?

I have very fond memories of eating my packed lunch on the playing field in summer - best way to eat lunch!

Do they have to eat outside or are they allowed to eat outside? The former would be strange but if it’s the latter then she’s choosing to do it, so there’s not a chance it’s school’s fault. Sorry about that.

You are in for a shock at secondary school. Some of them don’t sit down at all at lunch.

I remember eating outside as a kid and that was 30 years ago. Its no different then having a picnic. Its good for kids to be outside get some vitamin d in them.

Have you considered teaching your children some discipline and responsibility? Teach them to eat before play and to be careful around food to avoid it being knocked over? These are life skills that YOU should be teaching. The school is not there to educate your kids in how not to knocked stuff over. In the absence of parental responsibility, perhaps your daughter will learn from her own mistakes and make sure she is more careful in the future.

Whaaaat? Eating al fresco is the best, why be such a killjoy have you not ever had a picnic on the grass?! Even as an adult when the sun is shining I take my lunch outside and find a green space to eat it.

I don’t think school is the best place to
get kids eating all their lunch.

Mine is ‘busy’ aka playing at least 50% of the time. Ie full packed box returns untouched. He’s not bothered, he doesn’t really like food that much so prefers playing. And eats it as snack on way home

At my kids school they eat outside on warm/ sunny days. They sit on the ground (this year the school even got little cushions for each kid). It’s quite nice to see them do that.
your kid could have been at the table and someone knock the soup over anyway; these things happen.

Packed lunch outside was the highlight of primary school for me in the 80s! I can't imagine my dad ever giving me soup though...
Al fresco dining 😁

I think it's quite common in primary schools as the weather warms up and the sun comes out. However I understand that soup in a thermos may be easier to manage seated at a table!

Having said that a friend mentioned her children's primary school has now banned all food and snacks in the playground and outside areas after a semi choking incident.

I absolutely love that they can picnic outside! I wish they did it more.

I remember it from the 80s and what a treat it felt! Daisy chains and chatter!

Yes, just discuss with your child to keep their lunch safely in their bag and/ or keep lids on when not actively holding and eating it. Picnic style is common if not enough tables outside. (Bird poo on tables is also a common reason to not use them, as the tables are often in the shade under trees, or birds perch on the umbrella spokes in the morning.)

If it’s cold enough for soup then they should be allowed indoors to eat. If they choose to eat outside then they should be able to.

I loved eating my packed lunch outside at school!

Lots of schools actually ask parents not to send things like soup in at all due to the risk of the hot liquid being knocked over and spilt.

When i was high school late 90s id get my lunch from the kitchen and piss off outside with it, most kids did.

Its not unheard of.

That’s an issue with your kids, not with the fact that they’re allowed outside.
Tell them not to get too distracted to eat, and not to store their flask on the ground. It’s quite simple, really.

The answers in your first paragraph: I found out recently (from my child not via school communication) that the children who bring in packed lunches are allowed to take them outside to eat in the playground.

So they are allowed to and that is what your child has chosen. Surely the reverse is true and they could choose to eat inside but choose not to? You just need to tell them to be more careful with where they place their thermos cup and pay attention to finishing their food don't you? Not sure why it's a school issue.

The most you could do is suggest they install picnic benches... or you could tell your child that they need to eat inside until they have finished?

I'm 47 now but remember very well eating sandwiches in the playing field at primary school and secondary for that matter.

But food can be spilled when children are sat at tables too

The lunch not being eaten is not the school’s fault. Your child needs to eat before playing. The soup being kicked over sounds like an unfortunate accident. Who sends soup in the summer?

You’re being weird. The kids will love eating outside.

I am struggling to see the issue here! Our Year 6s have packed lunch outside and they love it. We have some picnic tables and benches but some choose to sit on the grass in groups. It’s all fine. It really is!

This generation of parents are bonkers.
Some things i read about on here makes me think what as the world become.

Its normal to eat outside i did it in the 80s at school.

I used to LOVE dinner on the field. I’m 43.