The summer is over and kids are returning to school. The school year is upon us. Your kids may be like mine and prefer to eat their lunch at home rather than in school. The food at school is not their favorite. It’s easy to pack my children lunches with healthy food that they are likely to eat. And it costs no more than the lunch I would pay at school. It’s the worst when kids bring home food they haven’t eaten. How can you encourage kids to eat lunch properly? Find foods your kids enjoy.
![Packing your child's lunch for school](https://cdn.lifefamilyfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/star-shaped-mayonnaise-and-ham-sandwich.jpg)
Have your children make their own lunches
Depending on your children’s age, you can let them make their own meals. My children are old now enough to do that. It’s more likely that they will pack a lunch they like if they are involved in the preparation. This also teaches them to be responsible at a young age. Give them the chance to choose what goes into their lunchbox. Even younger children can help. Even your kindergartener can wash grapes, put them in a container or choose a snack to go into his lunchbox. Give them a list of options and then head to the store so you have everything you need for the week.
Encourage your kids to eat and store healthy foods.
![Packing your child's lunch with healthy options](https://cdn.lifefamilyfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/packing-healthy-lunches.jpg)
It may not always be possible to insist on healthy, organic foods. Make compromises and strike a balance. Allow your children to have cookies for dessert if, for example, they pack a healthy salad or wrap. Teach your children to make good decisions, but don’t panic if they pack a box of Oreos and Cheetos. You want to encourage them to make good food choices and eat healthy, not limit their access to junk foods, which could lead them to trade forbidden Twinkies with friends.