Anonymous wrote:Is it an outdoor camp? My kid usually likes warm food for lunch but during the summer/ outdoor camp we pivoted to cold foods - yogurt salads, cucumbers, chips, etc...anything but hot food.

Also, fruits like watermelon and clementine help keep them hydrated moreso than others. Consider packing those too.

Fyi- if outdoor camp, even with lots of ice blocks and good bag, food will get warm so if can freeze things helps- like freeze yogurts, freeze drinks, etc and they will be thawed by lunch

My kid takes hot food twice a week in a Thermos. Usually Mac n cheese balls or chicken parm or pasta in red sauce with mozzarella cheese on top.
If it’s a hot food day she takes the lunchbox with 2 compartments. The hot food goes in the bigger one and I put fruit/veggies and s small dessert in the smaller section with a small ice pack.
I do a snack lunch one day. Usually in a Bentgo. Granola bar, nuts, fruit, cheese, raisins/yogurt covered raisins.
The other 2 days it’s usually a turkey/cheese sandwich ( no mayo, just dry, her choice) fruit and a small dessert.

Buy the tiny ramekins for dipping sauces they really sell the kids on lunch. I use them for ketchup and chick FIL a sauce. Also worth it are the mini freezer packs to keep sliced fruit cold. I usually do a fruit salad, chicken nuggets or rotisserie chicken or salmon, side sauce, and a croissant, Chocolate milk, cookie.

My kids enjoy lunchable type meals -- variations of crackers/cheese/meat with easy to eat fruit such as grapes or small fruit cups. A juice box and maybe a cookie.

Anonymous wrote:Is it an outdoor camp? My kid usually likes warm food for lunch but during the summer/ outdoor camp we pivoted to cold foods - yogurt salads, cucumbers, chips, etc...anything but hot food.

Also, fruits like watermelon and clementine help keep them hydrated moreso than others. Consider packing those too.

It's not an outdoor only camp, but they are outside a LOT. I didn't really consider hot foods because of the no microwave, but not sure if she'd even like hot foods with hot hot it is here already. Duh, salad... she loves salad! Great idea.

She's been eating tons of watermelon, so I have been packing that.

Anonymous wrote:Orzo with tomato, mozzarella and rotisserie chicken, balsamic glaze. Great cold.
Quinoa with rotisserie chicken, black beans and corn, lime/salt/olive oil dressing. Also great cold.
Asian noodles- soy and sesame dressing, edamame and red pepper, best cold
Spinach tortellini- surprisingly good cold
Plenty of times it's a good old turkey sandwich, fruit and chips.

She won't eat the same thing all week, but if I make a batch, it's good for 2 lunches, plus mine and DH's lunch for a couple days

op here. great ideas! I think she'd love the asian noodles.

Is it an outdoor camp? My kid usually likes warm food for lunch but during the summer/ outdoor camp we pivoted to cold foods - yogurt salads, cucumbers, chips, etc...anything but hot food.

Also, fruits like watermelon and clementine help keep them hydrated moreso than others. Consider packing those too.

Hummus - with carrots/celery/pretzels
Yogurt
cheese sticks
nuts
sandwiches
goldfish

Chicken tenders in the thermos with ketchup on the side, carrot sticks and apple slices or sauce.

Tuna salad and salmon salad sandwiches. She loves both. I make them at home. Does not like egg. Haven’t tried chicken since she gets enough through other meals

What is the meal plan that she is currently enjoying at school? You said she seems happy with that so can you copy it yourself ? Fwiw, thermos are pretty good at keeping food hot (or cold) if she likes things like soup or nuggets.

What do you give her for lunch on weekends, holidays, and previous summers?

Anonymous wrote:How are we supposed to know what your kid likes to eat for lunch?

Some kids happily eat sandwiches while others prefer dinner leftovers while others prefer a lunch box with a variety of snackish type foods.

I'm just asking for ideas ... sheesh. I'm not sure she'll like them either till I try. A lot of things she would like would need a microwave, which isn't available.

Hope you have a better rest of your day.

Orzo with tomato, mozzarella and rotisserie chicken, balsamic glaze. Great cold.
Quinoa with rotisserie chicken, black beans and corn, lime/salt/olive oil dressing. Also great cold.
Asian noodles- soy and sesame dressing, edamame and red pepper, best cold
Spinach tortellini- surprisingly good cold
Plenty of times it's a good old turkey sandwich, fruit and chips.

She won't eat the same thing all week, but if I make a batch, it's good for 2 lunches, plus mine and DH's lunch for a couple days

How are we supposed to know what your kid likes to eat for lunch?

Some kids happily eat sandwiches while others prefer dinner leftovers while others prefer a lunch box with a variety of snackish type foods.

Tell her to make a list of protein, veg, fruit, snack and you'll pull from the list each day.

I have to pack lunch for summer camp for DD7. I don't pack lunches during the school year, she prefers to buy lunch and I've got enough on my plate, so happy to do that. Want to keep a few options on rotation and for some reason I'm not coming up with anything that excites her.