How to Make a Better Bento Box

Bento boxes are hot in school these days, but not every parent has the time to make a Pinterest-perfect bento box. Here are few tricks and simple recipes to make your bento box cute, without taking too much time out of your day. The recipes are ones that your kids will actually eat, while still being somewhat healthy. We've included a few shortcuts too, to help make Sunday night prep go even faster.

1. Cookie Cutter Cute

Cookie cutters are your best friend! If you want your kid to eat vegetables, interesting shapes can go a long way to help. On Sunday night, take a few different veggies (cucumbers, carrots, cooked beets etc.) and cut them into stars/ diamonds/ hearts and you already have a week's worth of cute vegetables your kid might eat for once. If you're feeling extra creative, you can even create a badge with their initials using sliced cheese and a cookie cutter.

Nacho Salad with Tortilla Chip Dippers

Stars and Flowers

2. Easy Pinwheel Sandwiches

Wraps can be cut into adorable pinwheels that give some artistic flair to your bento box. Wraps are also a good way to sneak in meat, veggies, and eggs. While we wouldn't recommend freezing the wraps, you can prep some of the ingredients on a Sunday night, then assemble and cut the night before. Check out these recipes for creative, nutritious wraps:

Kiwi Wraps

Frittata Wrap With Ham and Cheese

• Check out this video which features some delicious Fritatta Wraps with Ham and Cheese, Nacho Salad with Tortilla Chip Dippers and Quick and Easy Avocado Hummus.

4. Silicone Cups

Colorful silicone baking cups are so useful when you're filling your bento box. They help you squeeze in a few extra snacks, and they keep everything looking neat, tidy, and colorful. As they're silicone, they're also reusable and washable. For a super-quick and healthy side, try individual fruit or applesauce cups, such as Mott's Unsweetened Mixed Berry or Mango Peach Applesauce.

Southwest Chicken Salad Bento Box

5. Food Picks and Fun

Food picks make grabbing food less messy, and a lot more fun. You can also add a few small toys to make your kids bento box a little more exciting.

Kid Approved Bento Toolbox Lunch

Quick and Easy Avocado Hummus

Related:

• Cute and Useful Back to School Lunch Gear
• 19 After-School Snacks That Make Healthy Taste Good
• 10 Lunch Box Treats That Say "I Love You"
• How to Prepare Waste-Free School Lunches

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