Anonymous wrote:Thanks! I'm embarrased to say that pinterest confuses me, but I think I'll wade back in.

It confuses me too, and is overwhelming. You are not alone.

Bento Box Menu Library

http://www.laptoplunches.com/bento-menus/

I can't use dinner leftovers because dinner is the meal I experiment with. If they eat it, there's none left (my husband eats a lot), and if they don't eat it, it seems mean to present it to them for lunch the next day. Breakfast and lunch are meals I know they'll eat (mostly), so I can serve whatever for dinner (they eat what we eat) and not worry about it if they don't eat much.

We also use dinner leftovers for lunch.

Weelicious
100 days of real food

Thanks! I'm embarrased to say that pinterest confuses me, but I think I'll wade back in.

+1 to Pinterest.

I also follow 100 Days of Real Food on Facebook, and she posts a picture of her kid's lunch every day.

Toddler Friendly Bento Box Lunch Ideas

The Original Happy Lunch
Chicken-Sesame Rice Balls
7.4-ounce precooked sticky rice
2 teaspoons rice vinegar, divided
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion tops
1 teaspoon lower-sodium soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon dark sesame oil
2 ounces skinless, boneless rotisserie chicken breast, finely shredded
Preparation
Spread cooked rice on a plate. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 teaspoons vinegar, sugar, and salt; cool completely.
Combine remaining 1/2 teaspoon vinegar, onions, soy sauce, oil, and chicken in a small bowl.
Arrange 4 (6-inch) squares of plastic wrap on a work surface. Divide rice mixture into 4 equal portions, shaping each into a ball. Lightly press each rice ball into a disc between palms; place 1 disc on each plastic wrap square. Make an indentation in each. Top each indentation with one-fourth of chicken mixture. Working with one rice ball at a time, lightly press the rice over the filling. Gather up ends of plastic wrap, and twist tightly to form a ball. Gently remove plastic wrap.
Then add...
2 tablespoons hummus
½ cup steamed veggies, chilled
¼ cup seedless red grapes, halved
2 peeled kiwifruit
2 fortune cookies

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Fast-Food Lover's Bento
Crispy Pan-Fried Chicken with Ranch Dipping Sauce
1 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Dash of ground red pepper
2 tablespoons 1% low-fat milk$
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
1/2 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/4 cup reduced-fat ranch dressing
Preparation
Cut chicken breast into 6 strips. Combine cornstarch, garlic powder, and pepper in a shallow bowl. Combine milk and egg white in another shallow bowl. Place panko in a third shallow bowl. Dredge chicken in cornstarch mixture; dip in milk mixture. Place chicken in panko, turning to coat.
Heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add chicken; sauté 3 minutes on each side or until browned and done. Serve with ranch dressing.
Then add...
1 cup carrot sticks
1 cup celery sticks
1 cup cucumber sticks

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Herby Potato, Green Bean, and Chicken Salad
6 ounces baby potatoes
6 ounces green beans
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon thyme leaves
2 tablespoons minced shallots
2 tablespoons unsalted chicken stock
1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
4 teaspoons olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 black olives, pitted and chopped
1 chicken breast, cooked and chunked
Preparation
Place potatoes in a medium saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil; cook 7 minutes or until almost tender. Add beans; cook 3 minutes or until tender. Drain and rinse with cold water. Drain and place in a medium bowl.
Combine juice and next 10 ingredients (through olives), stirring with a whisk. Drizzle half of dressing over potato mixture; toss to coat. Top with chicken. Reserve remaining dressing to drizzle on greens before serving.
Then add…
2 cups salad greens
1/2 cup grape tomatoes
2 multigrain, seeded flatbread crackers
1 hard-cooked large egg, quartered
2 tablespoons dark chocolate covered espresso beans

Try pinterest. There are a thousand easy lunch ideas.

My kids are bored and so am I. I try to have a main "dish" (sandwich, usually), a veggie, and a dessert (fruit, usually). Kids are preschool aged. The school has all utensils available, and will heat up food but not "cook" it (e.g., warm up soup, but not combine and stir ingredients).

I have about 6 rotating lunches. I need some ideas!