Back-to-school season presents a challenge to parents: how to keep lunches creative week after week. While it takes some imagination and preparation, packing a school lunch that’s both nutritious and appealing to kids is not impossible. Here are some ideas that will earn you top marks — and have kids coming home with empty lunch bags.

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Think in terms of food groups
A balanced lunch will have at least three of the four groups included:

• Vegetables and fruit
• Grain products
• Milk and alternatives
• Meat and alternatives

Canada’s Food Guide outlines what’s included in each group, so you can mix and match selections depending on what your child enjoys.

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Pack smart
It’s all about presentation when it comes to kids’ lunches. Here’s how to give them a surprise every time.

• Shapes

Use cookie cutters, melon ballers or a ridged knife to cut sandwiches, fruits and veggies. Need help getting started? Check out our videos on how to cube and slice a watermelon or how to cut a mango for inspiration.

• Compartments

Use a bento box to separate foods (great for picky eaters) to help kids visualize the components of a balanced lunch. Silicone or paper cupcake liners can be used in containers without compartments.

• Colours

Pick a colour for each day of the week and let it define the contents. Here’s an example: If the colour is green, stuff ingredients into a green tortilla with green beans or edamame on the side, and add grapes or slices of honeydew melon for a snack.

• Themes

Let your child’s favourite characters rule the lunch bag, whether from TV, movies or books. Make a superhero–inspired lunch with a sandwich cut into a star shape, with cherry tomatoes on the side and blueberries for dessert.

• Skewers

Skewers are a fun and playful way to present sandwiches and chopped fruit and veggies. Skewers are your kids to help — they will have fun turning their food into stick figures and making one-of-a-kind skewer creations. Tip: Use coffee stir sticks or lollipop sticks instead of pointed skewers to prevent injuries.

• Rolls

Think beyond sushi-style rolls. Wraps are visually pleasing when cut into pinwheels, and cold rolls are always a hit.

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Sneak in Wholesome Snacks
Give kids what they want – with a twist! Make homemade snacks using better-for-you ingredients like fruits and veggies.

• No Cook Fruit & Oat Bars
• Baked Falafel Snack Bites
• Coconut Popcorn
• Crunchy Granola & Seed Cookies
• Cajun-Spiced Kale Chips

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Pack It Right

• Simplicity is key. Too many choices can mean extra packing time for parents and too many flavours can be unappetizing for kids.

• Frozen drink boxes keep foods cool and are thawed by lunchtime.

• Include a surprise. It could be a joke written on a napkin, a note or a picture of one of your kids’ favourite TV or movie characters.

• Take cues from your kids. Notice what they enjoy at dinner or on weekends and add those items to their lunches.

• Get the kids involved in making and packing their own lunches. It will give them something to look forward to and feel proud of, plus it will help them develop a good relationship with food in the future when they’re ready to make their lunches by themselves.