I’m struggling with what to pack for my kids lunches now that they’re in preteen years (10 and 12). They come back with their lunch untouched, so I’m not getting it right. What do kids even like at this age? And how do you balance healthy options with things they’ll actually eat? Would love to hear your ideas or what’s worked for you!
i started packing lunches with individual things like crackers, cheese, deli meat, and some fruit they could combine as they liked. Mine loved building her own combos. Try giving them a say in what goes in their lunch. Letting them pick a few things themselves made a big difference for us.
I’ve been through this with my kids, and what worked was focusing on variety and portability. I started using bento boxes to make lunch more fun and visually appealing. I include small portions of a bunch of things: veggies with hummus, sliced fruit, mini wraps, nuts, and a treat like dark chocolate. They loved the snack box vibe and actually started eating more. Also, ask them what their friends bring, peer influence can play a big role at this age!
This is just a phase! My kids are older now (13 and 15), and trust me, they eventually figure out what they like. At this age, they’re testing their independence, even with food. Keep trying new things, they’ll come around. Also, don’t feel guilty if some days they just eat a granola bar and fruit. They’ll survive
Thank you so much for the ideas, everyone!
My 10 year old just trades half his lunch with friends or throws it away and I don’t even find out until days later. It’s frustrating.