Can you give me some advice re school lunchbags-please!!!!!!!

[MilaMae]

Haven't a clue,my d twins start school this Sep,anything to avoid,how big etc.

Thanks

DS's school prefers standard size rectangle ones as they fit well onto the lunchbox trolley, so DS has a few of the old school tin ones.

I don't think it really matters though if it is basically an average lunch-box size. Make sure you can easily clean them though incase of yoghurt spillages etc!

Avoid the ones made of hard plastic - the suitcase-y ones. The break really easily.

Make sure it's easy to open - and let the children practice. Too big is better than too small - and don't try to avoid the "character" ones if your littles want them - you don't have to use it!

And keep a supply of cartons of juice in the freezer to use as cool packs - that way the get a cold drink, a cool lunch and they don't have to rem,ember to bring a cool pack home.

get yourself some of these to wrap sandwiches in, much better than cling film or foil or sandwich bags etc.

agree with seeker too - let them choose them, if they want character ones let them have them, street cred in school is very imporant

Frozen juice cartons make great ice packs.

Buy some cheap plastic spoons for yoghurts etc otherwise you will loose all your teaspoons.

Put their names on any tupperware, including the lids.

sorry it may be a stupid question but do they put there lunch box in a fridge?

at school?

no but the trolley is kept in a cool place, usually the school kitchen, or outside in winter

Bear in mind that most schools ban nut products from packed lunches

Thanks for that-great advice

I was thinking about those Onya things,what a great idea!!!!!

My 2 really like the look of the Hungry Jungle ones but they look a tad small. Anybody seen any Wall-e ones?

How much food do you put in for 5 year olds???

yes just go on the assumption that nuts aren't allowed even if the school hasn't told you this

Mila it really does depend on the 5 yr old, some (like mine!) eat loads, others just pick.

See how much comes back uneaten in the first few weeks, that will give you a good idea as to how much.

What do you take on picnic lunches now? What do they eat at lunchtime now? Aim for similar things, what hey are used to.

DS always has a cheese and fruit sandwich, a peice of fruit, some veg or crackers and a tiny pot og humus, and about twice a week a yoghurt or some biscuits.

And water.

woolies and toysrus have a good range

mine eat a sandwich, chopped veg, frube, half pck crisps/biscuit, grapes

Tip from someone who works in a school - if you get Wall-E or Dr Who or anything else popular, put a strip of bright tape on it, or hang a keyring from the strap - anything so your child can identify their Wall-E lunchbox from 10 others on the trolley.

Wall-e lunchbox

good advice from ladyofshallot! There are always duplicates of popular character lunchboxes!

Well, you learn something every day. I thought that freezing a juice carton would cause it to burst.

this site has loads of types. I found that the zip-up, insulated types are the best. (Although I had to stop freezing the juice cartons as they weren't actually defrosting!)

I generally do; sandwich or wrap, one or two types of fruit cut up, a yogurt, carton of juice plus sometimes a fairy cake or a cookie. Ds also likes cold sausages, cucumber/carrot and hoummus, crackers and cheese.
I always give him more than he would eat at home and he always eats it all to my amazement!

Sorry, I linked to an American site

DS always eats his leftovers up on the walk home from school if he has any!

Ooo, juice carton not defrosting

Shame liked the dinosaur one

Overmydeadbody you're a star dtwin 2 will adore that Wall e one

dinosaur lunchbox

We sometimes cook extra tea and use leftovers for lunch bags, like chicken in breadcrumbs or veg pasta. You can also buy insulated pots like a vacuum flask but a pot that you can put hot food or soup in, I haven't got round to getting one yet though!

thermal snack pots

Those inflatable fruit carriers are good too (on the same page) they can clip to the outside of the bag, giving more room on the inside!!!!!