Creative school lunch ideas to tempt even fussy eaters

It's easy to throw a cheese roll wrapped in tin foil and an apple into the backpack, as our mums used to do. However, if you'd like to encourage picky eaters or simply enhance the school day with a delightful meal, it's worth ensuring that even opening the lunchbox is a feast for the eyes. Such a presentation will tempt not only the youngest member of the household.

Children spend a significant part of their day at school. You can't always rely on a tasty lunch being available, especially when dealing with a fussy eater. A few simple tricks, tried and tested combinations, and a bit of creativity will ensure that these lunchboxes always come back empty.

SET I

Ingredients:

• 100g spaghetti,
• 6 tablespoons Bolognese sauce,
• 2 mini mozzarella balls,
• 4 peppercorns,
• 1 cherry tomato,
• 3 apple oat cookies,
• 2 plums.

SET II

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of toast bread,
• 3 teaspoons of strawberry jam,
• 1 muesli bar,
• 1 mandarin,
• a handful of blueberries,
• 3 cookies,
• a handful of walnuts.

SET III

Ingredients:

• 6 mini waffles shaped like flowers,
• a handful of blueberries,
• 1 oat biscuit with fruits,
• 1 apple.

Method of preparation:

SET I: Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions and combine it with the Bolognese sauce. Transfer to a box. Place the mozzarella balls on the pasta, using the peppercorns to create eyes. Add quartered cherry tomatoes, halved plums, and apple oat cookies for dessert.

SET II: Use a round cutter or glass to cut circles from the toast bread. In one of them, use a cookie cutter to create an extra shape, such as a bear, star, or other fun animal. Spread one piece of bread with jam and place the other circle on top with the cut-out shape. Add blueberries, a peeled mandarin, and your favourite cookies to the box.

SET III: Cut shapes from the waffles and place them in the box. Add the apple (whole or sliced), the oat biscuit, blueberries, and cashew nuts.