Unless the preschool specifically says they will heat up your kid's lunch, they will not be doing that. There are probably two teachers and 20 kids, and the most they might do is help your kid open an applesauce. Their preference is that your child requires zero assistance in opening and eating his lunch. It's best to pack items that he can eat with his hands, and taste best cold or at room temperature.

I used a Bentgo for years now including all through preschool. Sandwich, quesadilla or pita in the big container. Fruit and/or veggies, cheese, or crackers in the other slots. Sometimes I put hummus in the smallest slot.

I wouldn't buy the chill one, the ice tray warps easily and makes it hard to close and the latch breaks more easily. But the other one has worked great.

Anonymous wrote:I often read on DCUM about the complicated lunches people prepare. Honestly, I think simplicity is the way to go, at least until your kids show you it doesn't work.

We never started heating lunches, or serving complicated foods. My kids got the same things over and over, and they were fine with it because they didn't know better.

A sandwich, some fruit, a simple vegetable, something dairy (cheese stick or yogurt or a milk juice box) and a treat. That list got my kids from the beginning of preschool through the end of elementary.

This. Keep it simple. We used PlanetBox lunchboxes and they work great. I have one that is 10 yrs old!

I often read on DCUM about the complicated lunches people prepare. Honestly, I think simplicity is the way to go, at least until your kids show you it doesn't work.

We never started heating lunches, or serving complicated foods. My kids got the same things over and over, and they were fine with it because they didn't know better.

A sandwich, some fruit, a simple vegetable, something dairy (cheese stick or yogurt or a milk juice box) and a treat. That list got my kids from the beginning of preschool through the end of elementary.

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thanks for the tips. Why did they stop making the plastic lunchbox we had as kids? Mine lasted forever. Anyway I think I'm going to go with a bento box .

And yes I know I can search for lunch ideas but I feel like those are Instagram ready mostly for show and not real kid and mom tested. You know?

Also curious should I pay to have it customized with his name or just do labels?

You don't need the lunchbox to last forever - your 4 yr old won't want to use the same lunchbox when he's 10. No, there are tons of ideas for lunch online. Don't read people's blogs for lunch, just read websites. Or do a search here. But realize your kid will see other kids eating things and ask you for those things. No need to have the lunchbox customized or do labels.

For preschool we used the insulated Bentgo.

No utensils. Yes they will get lost. Wait until I for that.

BentGo is nice because it forces you to do s all servings of a variety of foods, which ups the odds your kid will eat. Even though it's insulated, mostly pack things that are ok room temp. Standard for us would be: carrots, apple slices, yogurt for dipping, string cheese, triscuits. So basically one fruit, one veg, 1-2 protein items (these were the things our kid was most likely to skip so we'd pack two to make sure she got protein/fat at lunch), some kind of grain.

For labels, you can buy custom stickers or just use masking tape and a sharpie. Truly does not matter.

Op here. Thanks for the tips. Why did they stop making the plastic lunchbox we had as kids? Mine lasted forever.

Anyway I think I'm going to go with a bento box .

And yes I know I can search for lunch ideas but I feel like those are Instagram ready mostly for show and not real kid and mom tested. You know?


Also curious should I pay to have it customized with his name or just do labels?

You should do a few searches online for lunch ideas. They are ALL over the web.

Old metal vintage Roy Rogers lunch box!

We used the metal lunchbots dishwasher safe and indestructible.

Food that tastes good after a few hours in a warm room is key. For us this looks like appetizers: Cheese squares, sliced fruits, crackers, croissants, baby carrots, applesauce packets, yogurt packets that have been frozen first. We also usually add a freezer block.

I would be surprised if preschool will re-heat anything for you.

At the preschool age, it's best to avoid anything that requires utensils and stick with finger foods. Sandwiches cut into quarters, cheese and crackers, even cold chicken nuggets are popular choices. Also, apple slices, baby carrots are good add-ons. I always used the insulated bag with a blue freezer pack since my boys were fond of throwing their lunches (to spite me, I think). I didn't ever buy anything expensive because there's a good chance that one or more lunch boxes are going to be lost or broken in the first month.

Two popular "Bento style" lunch box brands are BentGo and Omie.

We tend to send leftovers of food that DC likes to eat.

It is important to heat the "hot food storage" component with boiling hot water inside (then drain after 2 minutes) to get it hot before putting the heated leftovers into it. That way the food still will be warm when DC open it.

Get an LL Bean lunch box. Get a set of cheap reusable utensils you don’t care about losing. (IKEA, Target, etc.) reusable ice packs

First time mom of preschooler here . DS will be starting preschool in September and doing the lunch bunch. Obviously it's a packed lunch. In your experience is it worth it to by the lunch boxes / bento boxes that come with utensils? I feel like there's a high potential for the untensls to be lost.

Also it's probably best to go with a dishwasher safe or easy wipe toss in washer bag with an ice pack vs an insulated bag that in my experience always smells mildewy despite best efforts.

Also some lunch ideas would be great. DS pretty much eats what me and his dad eat but probably not a good idea to pack regular meals. Thinking of mess and warmups want to make it easier for DS and the staff
Thoughts and advice appreciated. Thanks!