Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in denver, CO

Top 5 Ways to Pack Your Child's Lunch with Extra Love

April 21, 2009

Both my husband and I are graphic designers-turned web developers. Which means we love to draw, paints and do things artistically. Well, really I should say that my husband just LIVES artistically and he is the real inspiration for this post.

Packing lunch for school, whether it is preschool or all day school can be tedious and cumbersome. But here are some things I have watched Bryan do to lighten the load, and make things more enjoyable for Declan along the way.

1. Draw funny cartoons on the brown bag.
Granted, this is my hubby's specialty and you might get intimidated by it - but does your little one REALLY care about the quality of the drawing? All they will see is the quick strokes you dashed off with love, think of you when they see them and have a quick giggle. My husband usually picks a new animal from the farm or the zoo to capture each day.

2. Drop a sticker inside as their "surprise."
Declan goes digging for that sticker just like we did when we opened that Cracker Jack box as kids.

3. Make the food fun.
Slice a PBJ into long strips. Crumble up a Nutrigrain bar into a baggie, add a little honey, and tell them it's monsterooze. Whatever it takes to make it fun and enjoyable will make it more likely to be eaten - AND enjoyed.

4. Leave them a note.
Maybe just a quick "I love you," or maybe a treasure map for where you have hidden one of their toys at home for after school. Either way they will be thinking of you and having fun.

5. Let them pick the menu.
Kids who help choose and much more likely to like what they are eating and feel empowered by their parents. So maybe they pick some weird stuff sometimes? As long as you are OK with the nutrional aspects, who cares???

What other fun ways do you spruces up your kids' lunch?

Getting Into Food Through Books

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

November 26, 2008

Books are such a great way to explore subjects with our kids, why should food be any exception? Here are some great ideas to hep you have fun with your kids in the kitchen, ranging from cookbooks and books teaching nutrition to the youngin's. Junior Cookbook from Better Homes & Gardens Fun graphics accompany this cookbook from the experts on, well, everything! Around The World Cookbook I  Read more...

Cooking With Tots

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

July 24, 2008

It's really frustrating getting kids involved with the cooking process isn't it? Especially when you are not the best cook to beginning. Not pointing fingers, but that would be ME. Especially when you are not the most patient person in the world. (Yeah, that's totally me again.) But I have found that Declan is so much more interested in the food that is prepared if he had a hand in making it.  Read more...