A lunchbox expert said these 7 ideas will guarantee nothing comes back uneaten.

As a busy mum of two and lunchbox expert, I know that packing a lunch that your kids will actually eat is no small feat.

It's like trying to master a daily magic trick while hoping the food will disappear! And as a passionate foodie myself, there’s nothing more I want than my kids to share my love of good food.

I can say, I have tried EVERYTHING. From food art, to fun and colourful accessories, and hidden ingredients; so I can comfortably say, along the way I have picked up a trick or two.

Allow me to share with you 7 of my easy lunchbox ideas that will actually make your kids' school lunches disappear. 

Ready-to-go options your kids will actually love.

Okay, so this one might also be helping the mamas too. 

Sometimes having a convenient and easy option that your kids will love in their lunchbox is a must-have in the fridge or pantry. 

Well, let me introduce you to a game-changer – the new YOP Kids Yoghurt Pouches.  

These delightful pouches come in four mouthwatering flavours: vanilla, mango, strawberry, and blueberry. And for the health-conscious parents, there's a no added sugar range with vanilla, strawberry, and blueberry. 

The best part? 

They are the perfect size for primary school kids, packed with probiotics, 6 essential nutrients, high in calcium, and free from artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives. Plus, they are incredibly affordable and have a 4.5 health star rating.

Image: Supplied. 

Fun and personalised bento lunchboxes.

Now, there are a few reasons you should be putting your kid's name on their lunchbox.

Firstly, it prevents their lunchbox from getting lost, especially for younger kids adjusting to the new routine of school life.

Secondly, kids feel a much greater sense of excitement and ownership toward their lunch when their name is on it!

A bento-style lunchbox is also easy to clean, organized to pack, and allows more variety for your child to explore new foods during their lunchtime.

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Bento box sushi.

Sushi in a lunchbox? Absolutely. 

Sushi is a great way to encourage your kids to eat a mixture of flavours and textures in a new and exciting way. There are endless varieties you can explore with lunchbox sushi. My daughters favourite is avocado sushi, but other winners include cucumber or tempura prawns.

Add in DIY elements. 

Kids love to play with their food, so why not turn lunch into an interactive lunchtime experience? Offer a fun twist on the traditional salad by providing lettuce leaves, ham slices, and cheese, or whatever else your child might like in their wrap. Your little ones can assemble their mini wraps – it's a hands-on experience they'll love. 

Add a tiny container of dressing in their lunchbox; they can drizzle and dip to their hearts' content. 

Allowing your child to be part of their lunch-making experience most definitely boosts their level of interest towards their food. Plus, assembling their wrap will be one less job you’ll have to do in the morning. It's a win-win.

Homemade hidden veggie sausage rolls.

Most kids love sausage rolls, right? They’re a constant hit with mine, so this hidden veggie recipe trick is on repeat in my house.

Picture this: A sausage roll that's (secretly) packed with hidden veggies. And actually STILL gets devoured. 

Yes, it's possible! Combine grated zucchini, carrot, and chopped onion with your sausage meat mix, roll into pastry sheets, cut into sausage roll portions and bake. It’s that simple. These sausage rolls are so tasty; your kids won't even realise they're eating their greens. It's a sneaky and delicious way to amp up the veggie intake. Just make sure you make enough for the parents too. They’re that good.

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Cute and fun shaped sandwiches.

Okay, I hear you! Your kids actually like sandwiches. And that’s okay. Mine too (sometimes on repeat). 

Hey, I even like a sandwich for lunch most days. 

But if you find making the daily sandwich a bit mundane, then why not try the fun shaped sandwich cutters which are also great for the “I don’t like the crust” sort of kids, like mine. 

Why? Well, if I don’t cut that crust off for my daughter, guess what happens? The lunchbox returns with a barely eaten sandwich that looks most the bread was avoided because of that crust. I find that cutting the crust off for my daughter actually helps her eat the whole sandwich. 

I know she’ll grow out of this one day but today my priority is getting her fed. 

Sandwich cutters like hearts, butterflies, dinosaurs, heck, even a cute little dinosaur will help that boring vegemite sandwich be a bit more fun and make sure it actually gets eaten!

Frozen yogurt popsicles.

This one’s more for an after-school-snack. 

Kids love popsicles, and you can make your own healthier version. Mix your kid's favourite YOP pouch flavour with fresh fruit puree, pour it into popsicle moulds, and freeze overnight. They'll love these healthy, homemade popsicles. It's a fun way to sneak in some extra nutrients and keep them cool during those hot school days.

Let me know in the comments if you have tried any of these ideas, and which ones work for you and your kids.

Checkout Australia's number one family yogurt choice with the latest YOP Kids Yoghurt Pouches, avaliable in four flavours from your nearest Woolworths.

Alison Said is the founder of Mum Made Yum and a mother of two. Alison knew firsthand how difficult it could be to feed fussy kids, which led her to sharing food inspiration on her Instagram page. There, she discovered her love and passion for sharing kids' lunchbox ideas with her audience. 

Feature Image: Instagram/@mum_made_yum.