Christmas and the winter months are a great time to refresh the school lunch box supplies.  The kids have been in school for a while and some of their supplies are looking a bit worn.  I also tend to pack more warm foods when the weather turns cold so I like to make sure I have plenty warm food containers for the kids.  I want to make sure that packing healthy real food continues to be fun and exciting for my kids.  New and fun lunch supplies really help to make that happen.  I’ve already bought my daughter a new lunchbox for Christmas.  Shhh……..don’t tell her.

While doing my Christmas lunch supply shopping, I decided it would be fun to share some ideas with you for your families as well.  Here is a list of some of our favorite lunch box supplies.  I’ve included affiliate links to Amazon in this post. If you use the link, Juggling Real Food and Real Life will receive a small referral fee which helps offset the cost of this blog and allows me to keep bringing you great real food information, recipes, and fun.  Just click on the name of the product for more specific information.  I appreciate your support. OK……..here we go………..

1. Pack-It Lunchbox – We love this lunch box because the entire bag folds up and goes into the freezer.  No need to worry about spoiling food or extra space for freezer packs.

 

2.  Lunchskins Reusable Sandwich and Snack Bags –  I love these things!  Reusable containers are great for the environment.  I get it.  I have to tell you though………….I love these because I never run out and have to run to the store to buy more.  They rinse easily and can be used over and over.  Perfect for sandwiches, crackers, grapes…….whatever dry foods you want to put in them.

3.  Ecolunchbox Container –  I recently was gifted one of these and I fell in love.  I need to get some more.  They are stainless steel and come in different configurations to fit your needs.  They wash up beautifully.  I use them alongside a warm food container.  I pack the side dishes to go along with the warm food which is in a thermos.  The Ecolunchbox container also works great when I want to pack a variety of snacks for the road.   

4. Fit & Fresh Lunch on the Go Set –  I use this for my lunch a lot.  The container comes with its own ice pack that snaps into place for transporting and storage.  The one I have is a nice size for a smaller salad and has a really nice smaller dip/dressing container that doesn’t leak.  Leaky containers drive me nuts!  This particular set doesn’t include that container, but look around Amazon and you’ll find it.  These larger containers are very nice for teenage and adult appetites.
 
5.  Warm Food Container Funtainer from Thermos –  I like to give my kids a hot lunch at least once a week.  They don’t have access to a microwave at school so these fun containers from Thermos come to the rescue.  I heat up their food super hot and put it in the Thermos.  Come lunch time, it is still nice and hot.  Soups, pasta, and other leftovers work really well in these fun containers. 

6.  Water Bottle Thermos Foogo Phases –  My kids get a water bottle in their lunch and one in their backpacks each day.  We go through a lot of water bottles.  These refillable bottles are great because they don’t leak.  Their teachers really like them because they don’t spill either.

7.  Cloth Napkins –  Lots of folks think I’m crazy for sending cloth napkins to school with my little mess makers.  I think they are crazy not to use them.  Paper napkins need to be bought over and over.  They go into the landfills and money keeps coming out of my pocket to replace them.  I much prefer to use cloth napkins which can be tossed into the daily wash load.  I never run out and have to run to the store last minute.  I teach the kids to not throw anything out and just stuff everything back into their bag when they are finished eating.  They are lazy.  They like this plan.  LOL!  And……..the napkins always (knock on wood) come home.   

8.  Utensils –  These fun multi-color sporks from Cooks Drawer really crack up my kids.  Who doesn’t love a good spork?  These are perfect for lunch boxes and camping.  They are durable and clean up nicely in the dishwasher. 

 

9.  Weelicious Book –  This book from Catherine McCord is really awesome!  I love her recipes and her videos online really make me feel like I know her and her sweet family.  She doesn’t get crazy with unusual ingredients and keeps things pretty healthy.  I find her recipes to be very kid-friendly.  Some books say they are kid-friendly, but my kids say, “Yuck.”  That is definitely not the case with Catherine’s book.  My kids really do love her recipes.  

10. 100 Days of Real Food Book –  Lisa Leake is one of my very favorite Real Food bloggers.  This book has lots of great recipes for all day, but I really love her lunch box section.  Real Food doesn’t have to be complicated.  I find this book is a wonderful reminder of all of the foods that I can use for the lunch box.  And……….lots of new recipes to try as well.  There is a beautiful photograph with each recipe.   

11. Vera Bradley Ditty Bag – This bag is lined with plastic so it works well as a lunch bag without looking like one.  It’s available in lots of beautiful patterns that will make even your most fashion – conscious daughter squeal with delight.

I hope you find this listing helpful for the holidays and beyond.  Healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring when you have fun, colorful, and functional supplies.  Enjoy!

Do you love lunch box supplies as much as I do?  What supplies have you found that you really like to use?  Have you checked out either of the books I have listed here?

I promise to keep bringing you the best and most accurate information on nutrition I can find……….and hopefully with a little bit of humor along the way as well. You can find lots of great information on this blog (check out the tabs above and the archives). Make sure to subscribe by email so you don’t miss anything. You can also find lots of great tips, tricks, advice, and fun on my Facebook page and my other social media. Please join us!