Part 2 - Kids’ Lunchbox Cookbook Showdown

PART 2:

4. Feeding Tiny Bellies: School Lunches

Over 100 Lunch Boxes & Snacks for Kids

Author: Lily Payen

💰 Price: $26.10

⭐ Value: 4/5

📚 Extra Info & Tips: 4/5

🍎 Recipes: 5/5

🥪 Lunchbox Ideas / Usability: 5/5

⭐ Overall Score: 18/20

What to look for: This one is a good mix of recipes, photos and inspiration. There are plenty of lunch-packing tips, guidance and ideas for picky eaters and nut-free schools.

Find it here

Best for: 👶 Toddlers / 🧒 Elementary Kids / 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families / 😫 Picky Eaters / ⏰ Busy Parents

Difficulty: ⭐ Easy / Moderate

Prep: ⭐ Minimal / Some Prep

Kid Appeal: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Parent Appeal: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Would I actually use it every week? Yes

Favorite recipe: mini french toast muffin cups (perfect for leftover crusts from homemade uncrustables)

Biggest drawback: there are quite a few “build your own” lunch ideas - your child may not have enough time to eat these at school depending on how long the time to eat is 

Best thing about this book: a perfect blend of recipes and photos

5. Feeding Littles Lunches

75+ No-Stress Lunches Everyone Will Love

Authors: Megan McNamee & Judy Dorsey

💰 Price: $24.58 

⭐ Value: 5/5

📚 Extra Info & Tips: 5/5

🍎 Recipes: 2/5

🥪 Lunchbox Ideas / Usability: 5/5

⭐ Overall Score: 17/20

What to look for: This is a great book for the younger crowd. Lots of extra info for younger eaters and the photos are visually appealing for kids helping select some lunch ideas. This one is less recipes - more inspiration on what to put together. 

Find it here

Best for: 👶 Toddlers / 🧒 Elementary Kids / 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families / 😫 Picky Eaters / ⏰ Busy Parents

Difficulty: ⭐ Easy

Prep: ⭐ Minimal 

Kid Appeal: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Parent Appeal: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Would I actually use it every week?Yes

Favorite recipe: strawberry cream cheese sandwich on whole grain bread

Biggest drawback: geared more towards younger kids/todders - this would be great for preschools/kindergarten

Best thing about this book: Lots of notes on modifications/how to safely serve food depending on age. I like that they list which lunch container is used for each photo.

6. Love Your Lunches

Vibrant & healthy recipes to brighten up your day

Author: Bec Dickinson

💰 Price: $6.58 (used)

⭐ Value: 3/5

📚 Extra Info & Tips: 1/5

🍎 Recipes: 2/5

🥪 Lunchbox Ideas / Usability: 1/5

⭐ Overall Score: 7/20

What to look for: This one is geared towards adults. My teenager liked the ideas in here (and the recipes I tried), but little inspiration for younger lunch boxes. 

Find it here

Best for:🧒 Older Kids / 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

Difficulty: ⭐ Moderate / Time-consuming

Prep: ⭐ Lots of Prep

Kid Appeal: ⭐/5

Parent Appeal: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Would I actually use it every week? No

Favorite recipe: matcha, almond and raspberry bliss balls.

Biggest drawback: It’s a smaller book and the prep is heavier for the recipes.

Best thing about this book: good inspiration for adults/older kids.

Check back next week for part 3 and to see the overall winner!

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