We’re all looking for inspiration to make these long days at home fresh and new. New learning ideas, new activities inside and outside, new ways to move our bodies during a time that encompasses a lot of the same, day in and day out.
One way I have found to bring some variety and flavor to our days is to switch up our lunchtime routine! With my kiddos all home it can get pretty redundant making a PBJ every single day for every single person, so I have gathered up a few new theme ideas for one of our all-time favorite ways to eat lunch (and use up leftovers and produce!): the snack plate!
What is a snack plate (or snack board)? Think charcuterie, for kids. But not just for kids because I find myself enjoying them right along with my kiddos, and they are a way I can add variety to my diet as well!
I can get into a leftovers rut when it comes to lunch (or eating off my kids’ plates!) so having a family snack plate prepared ensures I eat something nutritious for lunch and offers a fun change from the norm for my kids.
I like to lay out our snack plates on a big cutting board, platter, or a muffin tin. Then you put it in the middle of the table, and everyone can make their own plate off the platter. It’s a fantastic way to use up produce that’s about to go bad or the last few slices of lunch meat or to incorporate new foods in a less threatening way for those picky eaters!
If eating off a snack plate isn’t your thing, I’ve also included a related grown-up lunch idea that uses most or all of the ingredients from the snack plate!
Here are a few of my favorite themes for snack boards:
Snack Plate 1: The Big Dipper
Contents:
- Carrots
- Celery
- Chicken nuggets
- Romaine lettuce
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cheese
- Crackers
- Ranch
- Hummus
Mom lunch alternative: Wedge salad with romaine lettuce, tomatoes, chicken, and a drizzle of ranch
Snack Plate 2: The Cracker Stacker
Contents:
- Salami
- Cheese
- Crackers
- Grapes
- Strawberries
- Olives
Mom lunch alternative: Spinach salad with strawberries, cubed salami, crumbled crackers, and balsamic vinaigrette
Snack Plate 3: Hit the trail
Contents:
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Carrots
- Raisins
- Yogurt
- Banana (dried or fresh!)
- Pretzels
- Granola
- Chocolate chips
Mom lunch alternative: Yogurt bowl with granola, banana, cashews (and maybe a few chocolate chips for good measure!)
I hope these lunch ideas offer your family a fun change during this time! I’ve also found the snack plate useful because it’s a good way to bring together a bunch of seemingly random ingredients into a more cohesive presentation. If you try out your own family snack plate, I would love to know!
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