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.