Article by Maloree Murphy 

Let's be honest, life is busy. Between permission slips, after-school activities, and everything else on your plate (pun intended), packing lunch can feel like one more thing on a list that never gets shorter. Not every lunchbox is going to look like a Pinterest board, and that's okay. A good lunch doesn't have to be picture-perfect to be special. It just needs a little heart. 

Add a Little Note 

One of the simplest things you can do costs nothing and takes about thirty seconds: slip a handwritten note into the lunchbox. It doesn't have to be long or poetic. A quick "I love you," a silly joke, or a "You've got this today!" is enough to brighten a moment in the middle of a hectic school day. Kids remember these things. Sometimes, they keep them. 

Fun tip: include a short scripture, and if they can recite it when they get home, they win a prize or a marble in the jar. 

Draw a Picture (Even a Bad One) 

A friend of mine used to sketch a tiny drawing on a piece of paper for each of her kids every single day. Nothing fancy, just a cat, a sun, a stick-figure family portrait. Her kids absolutely loved it. They'd look forward to seeing what she'd drawn, and it became a little ritual that was entirely their own. If drawing or writing isn't your thing, use a stamp or a new sticker each day. 

Tips for Packing Lunches That Are Quick, Healthy, and Fun 

• Prep on Sunday so weekdays are easier. Wash and cut fruits and veggies at the start of the week and store them in portioned containers. When Monday morning hits, you can grab and go instead of scrambling. 

• Keep a "lunchbox rotation" list on the fridge. Write down five to seven lunch combinations your kids actually like, then rotate through them so you're never staring into the fridge wondering what to pack. Familiarity is your friend on a rushed morning. 

• Make it colorful without making it complicated. A handful of baby carrots, some grapes, and a slice of cheese next to a sandwich adds color and nutrition without any extra effort. Kids tend to eat what looks appealing, and color helps. 

• Involve your kids in the process. Let them pick one item for their lunch each day. It gives them a sense of ownership, cuts down on complaints, and makes lunchtime feel a little more personal. 

• Use fun containers and picks. Small silicone cups to separate items, colorful toothpick skewers for fruit, or a reusable lunchbox with compartments can make an ordinary lunch feel a little more exciting, no extra cooking required. 

• Leave a little treat. It doesn't have to be a cookie (though sometimes it absolutely should be). A few dark chocolate chips, a fruit snack, or just the knowledge that their favorite cracker is in there can give a kid something to look forward to. Treats are part of the joy, just like we adults enjoy something sweet after dinner. 

The Bottom Line 

You don't need a viral lunchbox to show your kids you care. It might be a note, a doodle, a favorite snack, or just the fact that you thought of them in the middle of your busy day. That's what they'll carry with them long after the leftovers are gone. 

Originally printed in the August 2026 issue of Simply Local Magazine

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