Do you send your kids to school everyday with a sandwich? The same old boring lunch day in and day out? It’s often easier to do that but just like us kids really like variety and when it comes to nutrition we want to make sure our kids get a wide variety of foods into their body. Making food for your kids doesn’t have to be a chore. Why not make it fun and try new recipes and include them in the making process!

Sure, sometimes it may get messy but it’s a great way to introduce new foods and give them ownership over what they eat. You’ll find they’ll be trying new things in no time at all so it’s also a great way to get them eating different foods, especially more veggies.

So here are a few ideas to help inspire some fun in the kitchen and create some new lunches for both you and your kids.

1. Perfect Simplicity

Chop up some slices of red capsicum, carrot, celery, apple and other fruits and veggies for a nice lunch munch. Or steam a fresh cob of corn and eat it cold.

2. Mini Pizza

Pizza has got to be on the top of everyone’s list as a favourite food. I found making mini pizza was a great way to get the kids involved and introduce lots of new veggies at the same time. All you need is some small pita breads, some tomato paste, and some grated cheese for the base of your pizzas. Then chop up lots of veggies small and top with broccoli, ham, olives, cauliflower, spinach or whatever else you have in the house. Put them in the oven for about 20 minutes and away you go. Get the kids to help with the chopping, get them to spread on the topping and sprinkle the cheese. They will love it! And they’ll love eating them for lunch and so will you! You can also make a big batch and keep them in the fridge a couple of days.

3. Beyond the sandwich

Here are a few ideas you could make up for lunch boxes that aren’t your everyday sandwich.

• Some egg muffins filled with ham and veggies and topped with a little cheese
• A slice of frittata
• Or a slice of beef and veggie lasagna
• A thermos filled with a hearty soup
• A cold pasta and veggie salad

Think of things you could make up in batches, that way you can make it once and pack it in lunches over a few days.

4. Finger fun

Kids absolutely love getting their hands dirty! Include a couple of delicious dips and slices of carrot, celery, cooked chicken and cherry tomatoes. They can use these to dip into the dips. And for extra fun, make it social for them by sending more that they can share with friends.

5. Wrap it up

Making some meat and salad wraps will give you loads of healthy nutrition so grab some thin wrap breads, some slices of ham or chicken, some lettuce, grated carrot, cottage cheese, and you have a delicious wrap.