Do you have a picky eater in the house who regularly says things like “I had a sandwich yesterday” or “I don’t like that”? Well I do, and it’s forced me to come up with some simple and creative ways to make a healthy school lunch that the kids will actually want to eat. This simple fall themed bento lunch is deliciously healthy and fun, especially when paired with a box of Mott’s® 100% Apple Juice which is an excellent source of vitamin C.
There are certain foods and images that immediately come to mind when I think about fall, such as: apples, pumpkins, and spice. My fall themed bento features a cute owl sandwich sitting atop a nest of pretzel sticks, a clementine pumpkin, crinkle cut carrots, and some fall leaf shaped slices of Cheddar cheese. For a big eater or to provide a snack for later, I would add one of the new Mott’s® Snack & Go applesauce pouches.
Owl Sandwich – I used bologna to make the owl sandwich, but PB&J or any deli meat would be fine. Use a large round cookie cutter or open end of a beverage glass to cut the bread and the meat. For the eyes, cut two large rounds from a slice of American cheese. Top the cheese circles with two slices from a Mozzarella or Provolone cheese stick. Cut a triangle nose from the American cheese scraps. Use pretzel sticks to build a nest below the owl.
Pumpkin – For the pumpkin you will want the smallest variety of orange you can find. I used a clementine and added a piece of green pepper for the stem.
Sneak in some additional veggies by adding some crinkle cut or baby carrots.
Mott’s® 100% Apple Juice and Mott’s® Snack & Go applesauce pouches are both delicious and nutritious. They’re so convenient for packing into school lunches and for when you’re on-the-go. Just toss one into your purse or your child’s backpack. Learn more about these great Mott’s®. products for kids from their website.
Imagine the smile on your child’s face when they open their lunchbox at school or daycare and see this fun fall themed lunch. Keeping lunchtime healthy and fun is simple to do with the right ingredients and a few simple tricks.
What are some of your favorite, fun lunchbox ideas?
Thank you Mott’s® and Technorati for being sponsors of this article. All opinions expressed here are my own.
The pumpkin is adorable.
so cute! love the “pumpkin” orange
I wish I’d known about bentos when my kids were packing lunches. I would have been ALL over this. That’s just adorable!
These are some cute and healthy ideas! My son will be starting pre-school next week and I’ve been trying to figure out what I’m going to make for his lunches.
great idea for picky eaters i love it
I love what you came up with for their lunch,especially the Owl Sandwich! This so much better than the plain peanut butter & Jelly sandwich.
the owl is so cute! great idea
SOOOO cute! I love the cheese cut into leaf shapes! I know my daughter will love that. I can’t wait to try it tomorrow!
I love these creative lunch ideas! Ihope my son would appreciate it instead of rushing to trade food witht he other boys in the lunchroom!
thanks,
Mitch
I Love the Fall Themed Bento lunch idea. This would be great for my great nephews.