How do you pack your child's lunch?

[Anonymous]

Our son is going to full day camp this summer. we've never had to pack a lunch for him and the camp does not have refridgeration available for the lunches. most insulated bags are too big for his backpack and i don't want him to have to carry two bags every day. can you share what you do to pack your child's lunch? what type of bag do you use and where did you get it from. also suggestions on containers for sandwiches and snacks that are easy for little hands to open. :o) thanks!

[Anonymous]

Our kids (2 and 5) each have a Mimi the Sardine cloth lunch bag (from www.reusablebags.com). I make lunches every night before I go to bed, then stick the whole bag in the fridge, so they start out cold. In the morning I add a small blue ice pack from Target. They stay cool enough that I feel fine packing yogurt or cheese, for example, though certainly not as cold as in a fridge.

[Anonymous]

Take a look at these: www.laptoplunches.com It's an American-style bento box with no trash to throw away. Totally reusable each day.
They are very slim and fit nicely in the backpack. You can put in leftovers from dinner, and other foods that you normally would not think of sending. They stay perfect and are never smashed. I love the one I got for my daughter, and she loves it too. Her friends all think she has the best and healthiest lunches.

[Anonymous]

You can also freeze the juice and put the frozen juice in the lunchbag to keep it cold. It is thawed by lunchtime.

[Anonymous]

I give them things that don't require refrigeration. Horizon organic chocolate milk, a PB&J (no one in their classes is allergic, so it's not an issue), a banana (orange, apple...) and some Annie's rabbits in the single serve packets. If they insist on a fruit salad (like this morning) I will put in a frozen juice box, or just an ice pack.