TEACHING KIDS TO MAKE THEIR OWN LUNCH

September 19, 2022

As any parent knows, packing your child's lunch daily can be a chore. And teaching your kids to make their own lunch is a great way to help them develop independence and responsibility. It's also an excellent opportunity to teach them about healthy eating habits.

Also, it can be hard to get kids to eat their vegetables, but if you teach them to pack their own lunch, they are more likely to give it a try. It can be hard to know where to start, but with these tips, you'll be able to help your child create healthy and delicious lunches they can take to school.

#1 Let them know the importance of making their lunch

One of the most important things you can do when teaching kids to make their own lunch is to stress the importance of doing so. So, when you're helping your child choose items for their lunch, be sure to emphasize the importance of choosing healthy foods.

Explain that packing a nutritious lunch will help them feel their best and perform their best at school. You can also use this as a chance to teach them about portion sizes and the importance of not overeating.

Helping your child make their own lunch is a great way to promote healthy eating habits and encourage independence.

#2 Give your kids the liberty to choose recipes

It's no secret that kids can be picky eaters. When packing their lunch, you might find yourself struggling to find foods they'll actually eat. However, one way to encourage your kids to eat their lunch is to give them the freedom to choose their own recipes.

This doesn't mean that you have to let them pack whatever they want - you can still set limits on unhealthy foods or foods that are likely to spoil. But allow them to pick out a few recipes that they're interested in and help them prepare the ingredients ahead of time.

Not only will this give them a sense of ownership over their lunch, but it will also help them learn about healthy eating habits. In addition, cooking with your kids is a great way to bond with them and teach them some valuable life skills.

#3 Upgrade their lunch boxes to ZIPIT storage boxes

Kids love funky storage boxes, and ZIPIT offers just the same. If you want to take a step forward in teaching your kids to make their own lunch, getting them a lunch box they'd love will help you get closer to the goal.

Not only are ZIPIT boxes fun and trendy, but they're also functional. The modular design means that kids can easily see what's inside and choose what they want to eat.

Plus, the containers are leak-proof and dishwasher-safe, so you don't have to worry about spills or messes. Thus, teach your kids to make their own lunch with ZIPIT storage boxes and make mealtime a breeze.

#4 Be consistent

It is crucial to be consistent while teaching your kids how to make their own lunch. Else, they'll either get confused or take advantage of the situation if you're inconsistent.

For example, if you sometimes let them have soda for lunch but then tell them they can't have it other times, they'll start to question your rules and wonder why they can't have it all the time. On the other hand, if you're always consistent with your rules, they'll learn to follow them and be more likely to make their own lunch according to your directions.

Furthermore, if you only let them make their own lunch once in a while, they will not learn how to do it properly. 

#5 Get your kid a cute ZIPIT lunch bag

When your kid has a lunch bag, they're proud of; they might also be more likely to make their lunch for school. In addition to getting them a ZIPIT storage box, you can also get your kid a cute lunch bag to carry their food in.

ZIPIT offers a variety of lunch bags in different styles and colors, so you're sure to find one that your kid will love. Plus, the lunch bags are insulated to keep food fresh and hot all day long.

All in all, with a ZIPIT lunch bag, your kid will be excited to make their own lunch and pack it with all their favorite foods.

#6 Set realistic expectations

When you're teaching your kids to make their own lunch, it's important to set realistic expectations. For example, if you expect them to make a gourmet meal, they're likely to be disappointed and give up.

On the other hand, if you set realistic expectations and teach them how to make simple meals, they'll be more successful and be more likely to continue making their own lunch. For instance, you can start by teaching them how to make a PB&J sandwich and then move on to more complex recipes.

In addition, it's important to remember that kids are still learning and growing. They might make mistakes along the way, but as long as you're there to help them, they'll eventually get the hang of it.

#7 Appreciate and reward their efforts

Appreciating and rewarding your kids when they make their own lunch is important. This will show them that you're proud of their efforts and encourage them to keep up the good work.

For instance, you can give them a hug or verbal praise or offer to help with lunch the next day. Whatever you do, make sure you show your appreciation in some way.

Or, you can reward them by giving them a special treat, like an extra dessert or a new toy. This will show them that their hard work is appreciated and that they will be rewarded for their efforts.

Parting Words

So, there you have it! These are just a few tips to help you get started in teaching your kids to make their own lunch. With a little patience and effort, you'll be able to help your child develop healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.