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Original poster

Packed lunch ideas? For kids who don't like sandwiches 8~)

27 replies

cantthinkofaname2021 · 16/07/2022 00:05

Hello,

My 3 year old sons going to summer camp for a week and he has to take packed lunch and 2 snacks (snacks will be easy), however he doesn't like sandwiches, when at nursery he usually has a hot meal for lunch and same at home
It also said no nuts, 2 of the things I was going to give (pesto pasta and chicken satay) both have nuts in so I assume are not suitable :(
Can anyone suggest any ideas? Thank you x

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whiteroseredrose · 17/07/2022 06:00

I used to pack picky bits. Such as cubes of cheese, mini sausages or a sausage roll, falafel, small pot of humus, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, ritz crackers or breadsticks, grapes or a mini box of raisins, small packet of crisps. The individual malt loaf slices weren't around then but would also be an idea.

Havehope21 · 17/07/2022 05:37

Hi OP
I was never a fan of sandwiches anyway so would have:
Puff pastry slices / tart - similar to this www.greatbritishchefs.com/recipes/tomato-and-pesto-tarts-recipe
Slice of quiche / frittata - there are so many different flavours so he doesn't get bored
Cheese and ham / cheese and tomato / cheese and spinach muffins
Scotch egg
Sausage roll / vegetarian sausage roll
Tomato pasta / pesto pasta (you can make nut free pesto / tuna and sweetcorn pasta (can be a bit smelly so depends if your DS would feel self-consciout about that)
Hummus and baked tortilla crisps
Thermos with dal and a flatbread on the side (I loved this in winter)
Fritters
Cous cous / orzo salads
Hope this helps!

Daffodilsdance · 17/07/2022 04:39

Ds will not eat sandwiches, so I pack cold pizza or cold tomato pasta and he loves both .

sashh · 17/07/2022 04:09

A selection of finger food, cherry tomatoes, slices of peppers, onion, spring onions, cheese, grapes, berries.

redhearts · 17/07/2022 03:54

M&S pesto pasta doesn't contain nuts. Pine kernels aren't nuts they are seeds!

Dewsberry · 17/07/2022 00:16

@domesticdrama your kids are very lucky! Mine would eat them every day.

OP Yes pasta and tom sauce is fine cold although personally I never fancy it, and cold pizza is fine. I'd adapt what you know he eats though - maybe marinated or plain cold chicken instead of satay, and swap the pesto out for a different dressing. Creme fraiche is particularly good, or 50/50 yoghurt and mayo, but loads of similar things will work.

Domesticdrama · 16/07/2022 21:50

I make onigiri or rice balls for my kids. I do have a rice cooker so it makes it easier as I can set the timer so the rice is ready for the morning and it is always perfectly sticky! Mine like them with tuna/mayo, dried salmon flakes or sesame/other flavourings. You can get nice ones in supermarkets selling Japanese foods.

Runnerbeansflower · 16/07/2022 21:46

cantthinkofaname2021 · 16/07/2022 21:35

And cold pizza?

Yes to all of those.

DD doesn't each sandwiches but will eat stuffed pitta bread and wraps. Just doesn't like thick/risen bread. Maybe try flatbread?

But pasta and rice salads, also couscous

HannahDefoesTrenchcoat · 16/07/2022 21:41

Pain au chocolate
brioche
cheese dippers
pitta, cheese, hot dog sausage, grapes, carrot/cucumber sticks

Original poster
cantthinkofaname2021 · 16/07/2022 21:35

And cold pizza?

OP posts:
Original poster
cantthinkofaname2021 · 16/07/2022 21:34

Is pasta with a tomato sauce ok to give cold? Or breaded chicken strips?

OP posts:
MrsOwainGlyndŵr · 16/07/2022 21:19

Scotch eggs, pork pie, hard boiled egg, cous cous, cheese chunks and grapes, loads of things!!!

Comedycook · 16/07/2022 21:13

Cold pizza
Cold chicken goujons
Pitta and dips
Sausage roll
Pasta salad

Original poster
cantthinkofaname2021 · 16/07/2022 21:10

Will come back and post if I find anything else

OP posts:
Original poster
cantthinkofaname2021 · 16/07/2022 21:10

Ooh thanks so much, some brilliant ideas here! Very much appreciated 🥳

OP posts:
parietal · 16/07/2022 19:05

breadsticks
chunk of cheese
pita bread in strips
carrot sticks

Aria999 · 16/07/2022 18:52

DD won't eat sandwiches but she will eat mini croissants with nothing on them.

starfishmummy · 16/07/2022 02:08

Mine is older (with small appetite) but likes mini pizza or veggie/vegan sushi. (He'd have the fish sort but I'm not sure he'd be very popular as it tends to smell). Along with salad/crudités.

Fruit
Rice pudding in a pot.

He'll have a wrap or pitta as well and eats them plain and dry.

1dontunderstand · 16/07/2022 01:16

If they are not vegetarian, chicken legs tend to go down a treat. And generally, IMO, you can’t go wrong with pizza or chocolate spread sandwiches. I’m a only an occasional meal/treat, as long as they are eating a nutritious balanced diet, they’ll be fine!

1dontunderstand · 16/07/2022 01:11

Ideas my dd has had are:

a minipacket of breadsticks and some chocolate spread

cheese and ham with some buttered crackers (to construct themselves)

in a hot flask:
-macaroni chesse
-pasta with a tomato sauce
-burrito filling (meat and rice)
-soup (with a separate bread roll)
-hot dogs (with a separate bread roll)
-pretty much anything we had the night before

a cereal bar
cucumber or carrot sticks

an innocent yoghurt smoothie or something similar

my main advice would be don’t overthink it. I have a 15yo and a 9yo, and I’m a childminder. Just give them what you know they will eat.

AdaColeman · 16/07/2022 00:52

Frittata
Quiche
Russian salad with sliced sausage
Houmous & things to dip in it
Diced cheese
Hard boiled egg
Cucumber, endive leaves, tomatoes

quietnightmare · 16/07/2022 00:41

Rice
Fruit
Yogurts
Pancakes
Fruit loaf
Malt loaf
Home made pizza
Crumpets
Pop tarts (don't flame me)
Cocktail sausage
Mini sausage rolls
Onion baji
Popadoms
Nan bread
Noodles

Icecreamandapplepie · 16/07/2022 00:36

Following for ideas!

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 16/07/2022 00:19

Tuna pasta salad
Quesedillas (just ham and cheese)
Would he eat little rolls of sandwich? Rolling in them flat, spread crem cheese and thinly sliced cucumber and roll them before slicing
Sausage rolls
Hummus and crudités and a hard boiled egg
Tortilla chips and mushed avocado

Gr33ngr33ngr4ss · 16/07/2022 00:15

Will they eat it "deconstructed"? So send ham/ chicken/ salami with a wrap or pitta or hunk of baguette?