Packing a preschool-friendly lunch helps children eat independently, stay clean, and enjoy a healthy variety of foods. Smaller portions in a bento box or divided container work best and prevent kids from filling up on just one item.

Items to Avoid:

Applesauce cups or yogurt tubes: These can’t be managed independently by most preschoolers. Preschoolers often spill all over their clothes, table, and the floor and don't end up ingesting most of the snack. Please send squeeze pouches instead.

Milk with screw-top lids: These often spill. If you’d like to send milk, please use a container with a small hole for a straw.

Large or treat-heavy items: (e.g., whole candy bars, oversized bags of crackers). Children will often eat the entire bag of goldfish crackers and skip the healthier options that were provided.

I’m happy to help children by opening squeeze pouches, assisting with straws, or unwrapping items. Once opened, children should be able to eat the food independently.

Grapes, cherry tomatoes, and other round foods should always be cut lengthwise into halves or quarters to reduce choking risk.

Hard foods like carrots should be cut into thin sticks or cooked/softened before packing.

Popcorn, whole nuts, and hard candies are not appropriate for preschool lunches.