Yumbox Adventures

https://www.minihippo.com.au/ref/26/

I am a self confessed lunch box lover. Even before I had my daughter pretty lunchboxes just made me happy, and Yumboxes have been my long time fave. In fact, we now own three! If you are unfamiliar with Yumboxes they are bento box style lunchbox with leak proof compartments, and a simple latch that even a one year old can open with ease.

From top to bottom the minisnack, the panino, and the original

I purchase the original (in orange) and the panino (in pink) when Missy Moo was just six months old, so almost two years ago now, and they are still going strong. I particularly like the compartments in the original Yumbox, especially the protein prompt. So often kids seem to have a packed lunch lacking in protein, and this simple yet visual reminder works wonders for me.

I usually use the panino when we go adventuring together…it’s so much easier when we are both eating the same. The panino has less compartments so a bit more flexibility depending on what you like to eat for lunch. You can fit an entire sandwich much more easily in the panino vs the original for example.

The third lunchbox added to our household was the minisnack, and it is our most used by a mile. Missy Moo requests her snack box for EVERY SINGLE CAR TRIP! It is perfect size for quick snack, she can open and shut it by herself, and it fits easily on her lap in the car, pram, or even a supermarket trolley.

Here are a few of my favourite things to pack to keep us going on our days out. I use the six categories of the original Yumbox as a guide to decide what to pack. I usually pack the night before and spend about five minutes packing lunches. These lunches are actually pretty lame…but in a Yumbox they look amazing!

Dairy.

Cheese (Cheese sticks, cheese cut out with cookie cutters, bocconcini balls, cheese triangles, baby belles)
Yoghurt (small squeezy ones fit well or just pour it in, the compartments are leakproof)
Yoghurt drops (full of sugar but oh so delicious)
Custard

Protein.

Twiggy sticks (mild). I buy these when they are on special, chop up and freeze. Put them into the lunch box frozen and they thaw in a few hours.
Ham
Canned fish
Shredded BBQ chicken
Chicken wing or small drumstick/drumette
Baked beans
Salami (will only eat it if rolled up)
Mini hot dogs
Flavva beans (health food aisle)

Grains.

Sandwiches
Pita bread
Savoury muffin
Pikelets
Mini cheesymite scroll
Pasta
Biscuits
Rice crackers
Soy crisps
Amazing Coles BBQ snacks (in scoop and weigh section)
Savoury/plain popcorn
Cheerios

Fruit (the easiest category).

Grapes
Mandarin segments
Stone fruits (halved)
Canned fruits
Jelly with fruit (keep lunchbox cold)
Berries
Kiwifruit

Vegetables.

Frozen peas
Frozen corn
Baked beans
Can 4 bean mix
Cucumber
Veggies to go with dip (capcisum, celery etc)
Carrot (grated or in sticks)
A veggie dip (serve with crackers in the grain section)
Cherry tomatoes
Kale chips

The smallest compartment is the treat or dipping spot.

Sultanas
Blackcurrant chia pieces (Coles scoop and weigh)
Dip
Chocolate chia pudding
Chocolate (rarely..but sometimes)
Bliss balls/apricot balls etc
Yoghurt

I hope this post gives you a few ideas and inspiration when packing your own lunchboxes for a day out. My top tip…. freeze as much as you can! Frozen peas, muffins, twiggy sticks and squeezy yoghurts are great! You can pack your lunch in seconds!

Don’t forget to pack yourself an awesome lunch too….afterall, who doesn’t love eating an elephant shaped sandwich!