A Quick Fun PB&J Lunchbox Idea For Picky Eaters
Table of Contents
Kids Lunch Ideas For Picky Eaters
I’m so excited to share with you my first bento box. This is such a fun PB&J lunchbox for picky eaters too! I love how bento boxes have separate compartments, making them handy separate foods which makes them child friendly.
Kids love food to be separated in those early years. This helps them see clearly what foods are on the plate, without having to touch each other. This is why bento boxes are great for on-the-go or an easy make ahead meal!
I can’t wait to get experimenting, and to make these bento boxes fun and as colourful as possible.
What I Used
The bento boxes I use are from a company called Baebea. I love the colours that were available and they are well made and most importantly leak-proof!
I also use some silicone muffin cases as these work and fit perfectly inside the compartments. Another reason I like to use these is that they can easily be removable from the bento box, and used on-the-go, one at a time or kept inside the box.
The recipes will be nutritious and easy to prepare. I have used dinosaur cutters here to make this a dinosaur bento box, but you can use what you have to make the box as fun as you like! I’d love to see what you prepare!
Finger Food For Kids
Finger food is a great option that appeals to kids for several reasons. Firstly, its bite-sized nature makes it the perfect size for little hands to hold and manage while eating. This can enhance children's independence and confidence in feeding themselves. Finger foods can be enjoyed any time of year too.
Additionally, finger foods often come in a variety of vibrant colours and textures, which can make them more visually appealing and exciting for kids to eat. This can be especially helpful for picky eaters who may be more willing to try new foods when presented in a fun and interesting way.
Also, offering healthy foods can also encourage children to practice their fine motor skills as they pick up, pinch, and grasp different foods. This can help their development and coordination while they enjoy their meal.
In the context of lunch boxes, finger foods are convenient and practical for busy parents, the perfect lunch idea for school lunch ideas. They require minimal preparation and can be easily packed into lunch boxes without the need for additional knives and forks. This makes them ideal for on-the-go meals or snacks, whether at school, on a day out, or during travel for fussy eaters.
Overall, finger foods are an easy way for kids as they are not only fun and engaging to eat but also offer convenience, making them a great choice for both kids and lunch boxes alike.
I have included some greek yogurt with this box as my son loves his yogurt, but this is, of course, optional.
I hope you enjoy making these for your little ones! A fun idea, I would love to see your creations!
Ingredient information
Whole grain bread - I like to use whole grains where possible because of the fibre content but you can use your child’s favourite bread.
Raspberry - I like to mash up a raspberry or strawberry instead of using jam, I feel like it works just as well and adds freshness to the sandwich which is tasty.
Peanut butter - If you can buy 100% peanut butter that has no added salt, sugar or oil that would be more beneficial to you and your little ones.
Boiled egg - Full of protein and vitamin D, perfect little snack and part of a lunch or breakfast! They should also keep little tummies fuller for longer!
Cucumber - I enjoyed making a little cucumber nest, great way to add in a vegetable at lunch too!
Pineapple - A tasty sweet treat full of vitamin C!
Plum - Full of antioxidants that are helpful in reducing inflammation, maybe beneficial if your little one has an infection or teething!
Serving Suggestion
Serve in the bento box at lunch time for your little ones. If you did want to omit the raspberry filling or change the sandwich filling altogether you of course can do this!
I wanted to keep a fun dinosaur theme with the boiled egg but you don’t have to serve this.
Other great bento box recipes are: Egg salad, Cheese puff or Giant cous cous.
Storage Instructions
If you really wanted to get organised you could absolutely make this ahead of time! For example if you wanted to make this on a Sunday ready for Monday’s lunch, you could technically keep this in the fridge for up to 2 days in the fridge.
So this is perfect if you needed a lunch that lasts. You could double or triple the recipe to make multiple lunches, keep in airtight containers and you know you have lunches ready for part of the week.
Feel free to use an ice pack for your kid’s lunch to keep fresh by lunch time. Equally it will be ok to leave at room temperature.
Equipment Used To Help With This Recipe
Dinosaur cutters - These stainless steel cutters are easy to clean and durable. They also add a bit of fun to meal preparaton for your little ones!
Silicone cups - I love reusable kitchen stuff! These silicone muffin cases are dishwasher and freezer safe and can be used in the oven up to 230 degrees C! Ideal for individual baby portions.
Recipe | A Quick Fun PB&J Lunchbox Idea For Picky Eaters
A Quick Fun PB&J Lunchbox Idea For Picky Eaters
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mash one raspberry and set aside, spread the peanut butter on one side of the bread, then spread the mashed raspberry.
- Top this with the other piece of bread and use a dinosaur cutter to make the dino sandwich. Place in the bento box. You can use any cookie cutter of your choice to cut out fun shapes, for those picky kids.
- Boil the egg for approx 8-10 minutes, for hard-boiled eggs. (I use an egg timer).
- Chop the slices of cucumber into strips and place in the bento box to make the nest. Place the egg on top.
- For the fruit pieces, slice pineapple about a centimetre thick and use a mini dino cutter to cut the fruit.
- Do the same with the plum and place into the bento box.
- Pop the lid on and you are done! Perfect for school lunches.
Notes
As mentioned above you can choose any sandwich filling you like that suits your household, for healthy lunch ideas. I chose peanut butter and raspberry as I wanted to try a new filling that my son hasn’t tried before! You could try sunflower seed butter or cream cheese too as a great alternative to peanut butter, for food allergies such as a nut allergy.
Other great bento box lunch fillers: cheese slices, granola bar, cheddar cheese, apple slices, baby carrots, celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, fresh fruit, yogurt tube or tortilla chips,
If you don’t have the dinosaur cutters don’t panic, you don’t have to use them! You could cut the sandwich into 4 small quarters, and chop the fruit into cubes for 12 month + or fingers for baby-led weaning from 6 months.
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