Packing lunch for your preschool age child (whether they are in school or daycare) pls come in!

DS will be going 2 days per week full time to school this year (the other days are just 2.5 hrs) - he is 4. I've never had to send him to school with lunch before and I have a few questions!

1. What do you send them with - I'm thinking I would like something that acts as a cooler so I can have more options of what to give him. Can you recc yours? Some ideas I have seen on PBK, One step ahead and some "pack-it" thing on tv...pls recc yours

2. What do you send them with? DS has eaten really healthy his whole life and I don't want him to stop now - he doesn't eat cold cuts or stuff like that so I really don't want to start now. He really doesn't care for pbj sandwiches. So I am trying to think of ideas for a protein part of the meal - can we start a thread with some ideas - here is what I am thinking but I am not sure if it will keep -

Meal:
Chicken cutlets cut up or in sandwich (will this stay fresh?)

Turkey in a sandwich or cut up (will this stay fresh)?

Beans blended up - like a hummus sandwich

Snacks (again pls advise if you think any of this won't stay fresh):
carrots
grapes
strawberries
apples
pretzels
tomatoes
avocado
cheese stick?
...

Thanks in advance!!!!!

Message edited 7/24/2011 2:45:41 PM.

Re: Packing lunch for your preschool age child (whether they are in school or daycare) pls come in!

For my DS, I have an insulated lunchbox and I throw an ice pack in there to help keep cold.

I put in:
1 juice box
1 milk box (Horizon makes milk boxes that look like juiceboxes)

He's picky, so, his lunch looks like this:

Turkey Slices rolled up
Slice of cheese
Yogurt
Fruit (mandarin oranges, applesauce, or banana)
Pretzels
Cheeze Its
Goldfish Crackers
Pancake}I put these in aluminum foil in bottom compartment of lunch box. No ice pack
Waffles }

I have a thermos for him too that keeps things hot and cold!
I've Done

Chicken Nuggets
Mac & Cheese

These are usually his lunch & snack items (they get a snack time too) throughout the week!

Re: Packing lunch for your preschool age child (whether they are in school or daycare) pls come in!

Just wanted to mention that some preschool's don't allow carrots. You might want to check with the school first!

Re: Packing lunch for your preschool age child (whether they are in school or daycare) pls come in!

Does your preschool put their lunch in the refrigerator? Do they heat up things? You should ask because many preschools do this. I know my DC's preschools do this. If they do refrigerate and heat food it will open up your options.