So, my 17 month old started day care this week and he needs breakfast and lunch packed every day. No big deal for breakfast, but they don't want to have meals that you have to heat up. Occassionallly, they said it was okay, but, i could use some ideas for heatless lunches I can send a toddler to day care with. Something other than PB&J! I know i can do chz and crackers, or ham and chz sandwhiches (which all have to be cut up too) but i could use some ideas to mix it up with....

THANKS!

Wow, nothing that has to be heated up? That really does make it difficult for you. My suggestions would be ham/cheese quesadillas, the Lunchables line, and maybe a yogurt and fruit cup. I'm very sorry that you have to figure this out!

There is a whole list of sandwich/lunch ideas on hillbilly housewife.com, it also gives snack ideas! Hope this helps you!

What about ....
cottage cheese and fruit
yogurt
bagel with cream cheese
I know someone that ate cold grilled cheese

Why not get a thermos for hot food. I boil water place it in the thermos and cover. Let sit for 10 mins. Then wipe out and put hot food in. If you do not place it in the fridge or with a cold pack it should be fine.

when my kids were that young..they loved straight prezels sticks( not salted), a little container of smooth peanut butter and goldfish crackers....dip the pretzel stick into the peanut butter then go" fishing" and catch a fish with the dab on the end....they loved it and giggled while they ate too...not too messy ( heck the dd is 10 and she still likes it every once in awhile)...

I just had to say that is SUCH a cute idea!!!!!

__________________
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I Love the Goldfish Idea too. This will Be a Big Hit with My 3 Year old!! Thanks!


I wanted to ask thd Original Poster - If your son is in a Home daycare or In a private one.

I Was Thinking back to the Days When i Worked in a Home Day care- and The Food Heatup and Cool Down time took Forever.

I Think that the No heat up Food is a Good Idea Overall! I bet that works Really Well!

I love the gold fish/pretzel stick idea! He loves goldfishes! def. trying that. That seems more like a snack though...but thats okay...

I liked the thermos idea too...at least the food wouldn't be COLD...maybe just a little warm.

I also wanted to say that it is a private day care, and I don't mind packing lunches that don't need to be heated up, but there isn't much variety in that...

And I have to say I loved the hillbillyhousewife website!

Thanks everyone....today i packed cheese and crackers and bologne and ham (people feeding him lunch today are probably like what the heck was this woman smoking!!!) I just wasn't sure what he would eat bc i never packed him a lunch like that before...better safe than sorry.

Keep the ideas coming!