Easy Bento Lunch Ideas
Winter break is coming to an end, which means I’m back to packing lunches in the morning. The daily mundane task becomes less of a bore each morning as I come up with creative combinations to fill our bento lunchboxes. I’ve been a huge fan of our PlanetBox bento boxes since I purchased them last year. They’re perfect for toddler lunches, kid lunches, and even lunches for mom!
As I was searching for the perfect lunchbox last year, I compared several bento boxes. Although it has a hefty price tag, I ultimately chose the PlanetBox Rover. I loved the durable dishwasher safe designs offered by PlanetBox. On top of that, the five compartments (and two included leak-proof containers) are perfectly sized for our family.
Thanks to the Pinterest-perfect bento boxes that are floating around the internet, I know packing one can seem intimating. Some days I do get a little crazy with cat-shaped sandwiches and grapes with candy eyeballs, but in all honesty, none of that is necessary! Some mornings all I do is toss in a sandwich, and V’s choice of fruit and/or vegetables. Typical lunch in an atypical lunchbox.
One of the benefits of the metal box, is that they’re eco-friendly. No need to toss out numerous wrappers or Ziplock bags that held snacks and sandwiches for a mere 3-4 hours. The compartments stay completely divided without mixing. Although, if there is a juicy item in the lunch, it’s better to put it in one of the leak-proof containers.
To help better plan lunches, I came up with a FREE printable bento lunch planner that includes ideas for each compartment. I found this sheet to be especially helpful, for Veronica, who sometimes packs her own lunch. She’s able to read most items on the list and can then retrieve them from the pantry on her own. Doing it this way helps ensure that she has balanced lunches. Especially on days that I’m trying to dress two other little monkeys.
