I’m a very bad lunch packer. I think somewhere in my life I just got so, so, sick of PBJs, lunch meat sandwiches, and Lunchables that packing a homemade lunch just turns my stomach. I’ve tried other options, but when you add in packing a lunch for someone ELSE it just becomes too much of a PITA to bother and what the heck, let’s just eat out since we’re already out anyway. This has been compounded by picky kids who won’t even eat that ham sandwich that you actually bothered to make even though it sounded like the least appetizing thing to bring.
So when I started looking for ideas on how to cut costs on our next trip, you can imagine how frustrating it is to see person after person (after person) suggest brown bagging it. I mean, UGH. We’re already doing 2/3rds of our eating at quick service locations to minimize stress for the kids, but now I don’t even get that food made for me?
As a stay-at-home-mom, having someone else make my food is a VERY big thing. Being told to make it myself anyway is a killer disappointment.
So, very bummed out, I started looking for easy brown bag ideas. And, magically, I came across an idea called the No Kid’s Meal Challenge. Simple. Brilliant. And just in time.
The No Kid’s Meal Challenge is exactly what it sounds like. In order to save costs you don’t order the 
kids food. Period. I mean, really, restaurant after restaurant offer the same five things – PB&J, Hamburger, Pizza, Chicken Tenders, Pasta. How fun and interesting is that for the kids? Eventually, they stop eating their food out of boredom. Or, they don’t eat because they are just so keyed up to hurry and get to the next thing, only to start whining, “I’m hungry!” the second you scrape their uneaten pasta in the trash.
Instead of wasting that money on kids meals, get an adult meal you can share with them. For us, between two adult meals there should be plenty of food to keep the kids from whining. Then, along with sharing plates, you pack snacks for everyone in your day bag. Cheese sticks, yogurt tubes, trail mix, etc. Obviously try to pack stuff with some nutritional content – save the empty calories for Dole Whips, Skolebrod, and Zebra Domes! Yum.
I’m also planning on packing a little bit of meal-replacement stuff for the kids, not counting on them wanting to eat our food 100% of the time. I figure a few Uncrustables, to-go hummus and pita chips, and cheese sandwiches wouldn’t be a bad idea. And if you decide to bring something that needs to be heated up there is a microwave in every Baby Care Center in the parks.
This seems like a lovely compromise between having to pack full blown lunches for four people during my vacation and having to buy four full meals that I know will never get eaten. Do you have any money saving tricks when it comes to food? What are your favorite carry-along snacks for a day in the parks? I’d love to know!
