If you’re like me, the lunchtime hustle is more of a bust than a break. We work to get everyone focused and on task for the morning and before we know it, we have kids looking a little pale, falling asleep, swinging from the ceiling fan, or pretending to toss punches across the school room. Some days I am oh-so-grateful that lunchtime exists. Other days, I could do without the hassle. But, I have happened upon a surprise discovery with raising kids….are you ready? I’ll let you in on the secret…
They can do it! Did you hear me? Seriously! They can prep lunch! Wahoo! Freedom!
Now, before you get your cart before the horse, know that you do have to instruct them in the ways of the kitchen and all sorts of safety about knives, cleanliness, food prep, etc. But, you likely knew that and did it. High five!
Here are four simple lunches that your kids can prepare, with little to no help from you!
#1 Cheesy Triangles
(Background info: the name of this common dish came about because my oldest was a toddler and learning her shapes, thus we call simple quesadillas, cheesy triangles.)
All you need is a little butter, 1 full 10 inch quesadilla and the chosen cheese for each kid. These can be cooked on the stovetop or with an electric skillet. We make these with the skillet because I can make two full 10 inch rounds at the same time, thus feeding at least 4 hungry mouths faster. Now that my kids are tall enough, I trust them with the electric skillet.
#2 Appetizer-ah-la-lunch
One block of cream cheese softened, some all-fruit spread, chosen crackers or pita chips. Place block of cheese on fancy plate, smother with fruit spread and eat with crackers. This is a favorite for a day of long read-a-louds because the kids can keep eating while I read. This also makes a good tie-over if dinner is running late.
#3 Muffins
Who doesn’t love muffins? There are loads of muffin recipes online, all hiding secret ingredients in them to make them healthier. Are you a black bean lover? There’s a muffin for that. Needing to use that summer zucchini? Again, a muffin exists. Pumpkin in the freezer from your jack-o-lantern recycling? Yep, pumpkin muffins are out there. Seriously, there is a tasty muffin for everything. Do a little research. Print off the recipe and hand it to your kitchen helper for the day.
#4 Veggie Tray
Don’t be fooled by the name. Just get out the plastic veggie tray you haven’t used since last fall’s co-op party and hand it to the kitchen helper. Let her get creative with the fillings, and point her in the direction of a few things to make sure your bases are covered. Our favorite veggie tray fillers are raisins, peanuts, granola clusters, dried coconut pieces, dried fruit of any kind, crackers, pita chips, chicken salad, deli meat in tiny slices, fruit and veggie slices, cheese cubes, frozen peas, and whatever else is hanging around. Again, this makes a great lunch to munch on while the kids listen.
And a bonus #5 Easy Peanut Butter Cookies
1 cup peanut butter
1 egg
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix ‘em. Roll ‘em. Flatten ‘em. Bake ‘em. (at 325 degrees for 12 minutes)
Yay for big kids! Yay for kitchen helpers! Yay for working ourselves out of our jobs!
Lindsay Banton is a caffeinated mother to three great kids. She never expected to homeschool, but has found that it is a wonderful addition to their lifestyle and wouldn’t change it for the world. In addition to homeschooling, Lindsay works alongside her husband in campus ministry at a large university in Connecticut. She grew up in Virginia but has settled into life in New England, learning to love the long winters, cool springs, green summers and gorgeous autumns- and has built a boot collection to meet all the demands. She is currently blogging at www.oaksreplanted.blogspot.com.
