Children eating packed lunch outside?

[OldMaaa]

Is it just me or is this a bit bonkers?

My children are at Primary school.

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.

This first came up as my children sometimes take in soup in a thermos cup. Recently eldest child reported that their soup was kicked over before they had consumed any, so essentially missing the main portion of their lunch. After a bit of (quite confused) discussion I discovered soup was on the floor outside, which led to a conversation about why?! This is normal apparently.

I'm thinking about it again today, as I noticed child had brought home most of their sandwiches and when I asked if there was something wrong with them they said no. "They were lovely but I got distracted".

Am I mad/out of touch to be thinking that children should be sat down at tables while they're eating their lunch regardless of whether they're packed lunch or school dinners. Or is this common in other schools?

I never want to be the kind of parent who bothers the school unnecessarily, but I am considering asking them about this as I don't understand it.

But I would appreciate some other perspectives as maybe my perspective is wrong?

They did this (lunch in the gardens) at my son’s prep school whenever the weather was nice enough in the summer term. They had to sit down to eat though, then when finished could go off to the field or playground to play.

I can remember eating lunch outside as a tiddler at school and it feeling lovely and summery. I think we had picnic benches outside but it was a very tiny school.

My kid's school had a lovely shaded area where they could picnic. The Lunch Time Supervisors wouldn't let children run off and play until they'd shown they'd eaten their lunch. Soup isn't a safe option for a school lunch as it involves hot liquids and glass. I'm surprised that the school is okay with that.

Its quite common for kids to eat packed lunches outside. Think picnic think kids on the go etc. They will eat im sure if hungry. Soup given that its outside food on the go is probably not a good idea. just go for quick nibble things easy to eat on the move. Its the same at secondary school except not really anywhere to sit down either. In winter a hall or classroom is available to eat lunches but lets face it schools are not relaxing places for eating period. I remember eating on the field in summer and eating in a classroom when the weather was bad. I think id just change the food rather than make a fuss with school

I do think a snack approach should be taken to lunchboxes

I only provide stuff that's easy to eat, and what they'll actually eat. I also never include grapes or cherry tomatoes as I cannot particularly imagine them sitting still to eat them

In Australia there were no tables & chairs or indoor eating area. In primary school we took our lunchbox or the lunch we had ordered from the canteen out into the playground & sat on the ground or a bench if you were quick enough. In Highschool each friendship group had their spot in the playground where they had gathered together whatever garden benches they could drag together & that is where they sat. If it was too wet we ate in a classroom.

Similar here, I went to school in a country where there were no school dinners or dining halls (and no canteen either). Throughout my schooling kids bought packed lunches and ate them sitting on the ground. We all turned out fine and know how to sit and eat at tables too😁.

The issue isn’t the eating outside.

the issue sounds like your child putting lunch down unattended or getting distracted and not eating it.

Food tastes better outside does it not?

I’m with you op.
I’ve nothing against al fresco dining but it should be properly supervised and sat at a table to ensure children are getting adequate nourishment, before they run around and play.
I’m from a generation where you sit at a table to eat… I gather that’s a dying tradition though.

Normal in New Zealand. We don't have school canteen. On rainy days we eat in our class.

Worst thing that happened to me was eating a wasp when I was about 8. Luckily I didn't swallow it but it sung the inside of my mouth multiple times and I didn't actually know what was happening at first. I remember thinking my mouth was falling apart.

Can't see the issue. It's always been the case in primary schools and a huge treat. In Europe they eat outside every day. Tbh I think it's strange you send hot soup for lunch.

My child’s school used to do this, they sat in the shade, were supervised and the children loved it, in fact more brought in packed lunches. It was more work for the lunchtime supervisors but they were happy to do it. Then the fun sponge parents got involved and complained so the Head stopped it. Schools can’t win.

Maybe your child put the soup down open out of the teachers view.

Sorry but why are you packing soup for a primary school child's lunch - of course it's going to be knocked over. Even if they were in a hall. There are clumsy children about.

This is horrible

Yes, you are out of touch. It’s been happening since I was a child when the weather is warm.
I think the change of scenery is a good thing.

We ate packed lunch outside all year round when I was a child unless it was raining and then we had to eat in our classrooms, I just assumed this was normal. Even in secondary we mostly ate outside, its blown my mind a little that others may have been eating their packed lunch at a table inside

We didn't in the 70s or 80s.
Eat dinner and then go outside.

I don't think it's strange at all... I remember loads of kids at my dd's school bringing hot soup/curry/stew in a flask as a change from sarnies
Why the unnecessary judgement? 🤷🏻‍♀️

I grew up in a hot country. We only ate outside. There was no indoor area to eat and certainly not in the classroom. No table areas. We would sit in groups with our friends on the ground and chat whilst we ate. Then pack our lunchboxes away in our lunch cooler bags (had to have them or you would be eating manky soggy sandwiches from the heat), and then head off to play. We loved sitting out eating al fresco. Got our Vit D. On esp hot days we would seek out shade under a tree or from a building. And if it was raining, you would find somewhere to shelter and stand so your dress didn't get dirty from the mud. Your clothes would be dry in a half hour. Different climate of course. But loved eating out in the sunshine

Glass? I haven't seen a thermos made with glass on sale for a lomg time, although I do still have a drinks one I bought almost 30 years ago. Certainly no glass in the ones used as children's food flasks these days.

I don't see an issue with soup in a flask, but do think a thick chunky stew-type soup is more suitable to pack for school than a thin broth. It's unlikely to still be scalding hot by lunchtime, but a good temperature for eating.

I thought that was called a picnic and what child doesnt like a picnic.

No I agree with you, it doesn't sound organised or safe. A choking hazard for one thing.

Do they sit in shade? Talk with parents about sun protection? Have clean hands to eat finger food?

I wouldn't like being unaware of this either

Am aghast at this. Lunch should be at tables. Do they sit children outside on the ground for their own over-priced school dinners? I would complain OFFICIALLY as this is a WELFARE issue (children missing out on their lunch). I would ask the teachers if they would like to eat their lunch on the ground with children running around them kicking things over.