Christmas is over, and there are a couple of months to get through before the evenings lengthen and we’ve got more daylight to play with.
But kids’ busy school days and extracurriculars shouldn’t stop just because it’s cold and dark after 4pm.
That’s why it’s more important in winter that your kids have the will and the way to keep attending their extracurriculars, keep drinking water, and keep eating food that’ll energise them.
At b.box we’re all about inspiring kids and parents with beautiful lunchboxes, water bottles and other feeding equipment for kids of all ages. We're an Aussie brand, founded on the principle of 'Problem: solved': we know the problems parents have, and we design solutions.
Here’s how you can use the Power of the Lunchbox to keep your kids energised and active all day long.
Wintry activities
We’ll start by looking at some of the activities your kids might be doing this winter, and how to keep energy levels up around them.
Gymnastics and dance. If your kids attend dance or gymnastics classes after school, they’ll be using up at least a couple of hundred extra calories between lunch and dinnertime. We recommend sending them with a separate snackbox with a couple of portions to give them the energy needed, before or after they start their class.
Try mixtures of fruit, fibre, complex carbs and protein to keep their energy levels up: yogurt with berries, cheese with wholegrain crackers, apple slices with peanut butter. (See the recipe below for low-fat, fruit-filled flapjacks!)
Sports and games. It’s a similar story with football, rugby, netball, hockey or any other field sports: your child will be running a lot and using extra energy, so make sure they’ve got something good to eat before and/or after playing. In winter, these snacks are looked forward to even more: they offer a motivational boost when it’s cold and dark.
The cold means your child might not feel as thirsty as usual, so make sure they have a sports bottle to encourage hydration.
And if you want to warm your kid up, try filling an insulated food jar with warm, veg-packed stew or soup: easy to eat, and offering extra homely comfort while they’re out and about!
Music lessons. If you play an instrument yourself, you’ll know it can take a surprising amount of energy.
Singing and choir practice; wind instruments such as clarinet and flute; and energetic percussive instruments, including drums, are among the most popular music lessons for kids – and they’re all known to make kids feel tired and thirsty.
As well as suitable snacks, make sure your child has a good-sized bottle of water with them for the whole day, that they enjoy drinking out of.
Wraparound care. ‘Wraparound care’ refers to breakfast and after-school clubs provided to help parents who work full-time.
Some of these clubs include meals and snacks in the price – but lots of parents prefer to send their kids with a full lunchbox to keep them going all day with wholesome, homely foods.
b.box’s insulated lunchbag can fit both our big bento lunchbox and a snackbox inside, so it’s perfect for kids who are out for a long day.
Playdates. We’ve included playdates on this list because they’re a great way for kids to get out and about in winter, and stay active together.
If your child is going on a playdate, naturally you’ll communicate with their friend’s parents about whether they’re feeding them, but it’s best not to assume anything. This writer’s kids would probably be too shy to ask if they needed a drink, for example – so make sure they take their own water bottle at the very least.
A snackbox is also a good idea. You could bake some fairy cakes (recipe below) for your child to enjoy sharing with their friend!
Meals and snacks to keep kids energised
Try these ideas for all-day packed lunches, ensuring your kids are properly energised during school and throughout their extracurriculars.
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Perfect for the snackbox: Energy-boosting feel-good flapjacks made with bananas, lower in fat and sugar
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Perfect for the lunchbox: Green club sandwich, packed with slow-release energy foods including wholegrain bread, avocado and hummus
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Perfect for the insulated food jar: Veg-packed, protein-boosted tomato soup, ideal for making with the kids
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Perfect for sharing with friends: Fast, fluffy and surprisingly low-calorie fairy cakes, to decorate how you and the kids like