Lunch Box Hacks EVERY Parent NEEDS to Know ✅ Mom of 4 approved

If packing lunchboxes every morning feels like a never-ending chore, I've got you covered. In this video, I'm sharing some super simple and totally game-changing lunchbox hacks that have made my mornings so much easier. From quick tricks to keep things fresh to ways to minimize how much time you spend in the morning packing a lunchbox. These are back to school hacks to save you time and stress.
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My name is Kallie Branciforte, and I am 'That Practical Mom' (formerly But First, Coffee). I'm here to share practical life hacks to help you get organized realistically, find attainable productivity, and simplify some of the chaos of life.
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[@deahbledsoe9304]

Ok but now I need a video on what you bulk prep and freeze for lunches. I haaate trying to think of what to feed these kids every dang day! Lol

[@patriciaclark800]

that's what I was going to request too!!

[@annelia6268]

Same!!!

[@harmonymiller7999]

Yes!! Please!!

[@nicoletorrez3659]

Yes! With recipes, please!!

[@HonestReviewsMom]

Yes! This is what I came here for

[@jeannereich8690]

My kids are all grown up but I still enjoyed this video. 😊

[@dianam9028]

I don't have children but I love her videos 😁

[@denisejones1863]

As a grown women of 70, I was just happy to have that behind me.

[@julietannOsfan1972]

@@dianam9028Me too.

[@razlicak]

right? :)

[@susanhegarty9091]

me too!

[@kaysegoodson2721]

Also I’d love to know some of these recipes you showed! The muffins? The pizza bites? Something rolled up in the crock pot? It all looked yummy! 😋

[@HonestReviewsMom]

Same! And then for us I'd make a gluten free version

[@mariarozon2950]

Really makes me aware how limited my child’s preferences for food are.

[@emilygilstrap31]

I want to give her props for 4 kids. 3 & one on the way. That's a balancing act.

[@sahraa8499]

I like it plz do more luch and all meals for kids. Thank you

[@rozleitch6637]

......and adult packed lunches too!!!

[@shannonbrice8012]

I found sandwiches made with meat, cheese, butter and mustard freeze amazingly well. I would make a couple of dozen up and keep them in the freezer. As the girls got older it made packing their own lunches easier.

[@M52301]

Great tips! Could you post the recipes or do a video of them please?

[@carolynkennedy1083]

Packing multiple lunches at once is such a game changer! I've made it part of my Sunday dinner cleanup routine. School Morning Me really appreciates it. 🤣

[@sophieszabo1771]

Same! I started making it part of our dinner routine. Game changer

[@deahbledsoe9304]

Do you put all the non refrigerator items in the lunchbox then to the fridge too? I've been trying to figure out how to do this multiple lunches thing but I get stuck on the fact that some are pantry items and some are cold items.

[@carolynkennedy1083]

@@deahbledsoe9304 I put shelf stable items in the actual lunchbox on my counter. The bento goes in the fridge. But, I do put things like crackers, fruit snacks, mini candy in the bento opened.

[@julianagc1989]

I don't have kids, but I am still watching 😊

[@jamie-leewatson3565]

My game changing tip is to get them packing their own lunch as soon as possible. Even part of their lunch to start with. My kids are a little older, but started packing their own lunches when they were about 8. They know they have to put in 1-2 fruit, 1-2 Vegies, a sandwich or similar, then can choose a snack and a treat.

[@JanineMJoi]

I just realized the REASON i like your vids over ANY OTHER, is bc i didn't feel like you're trying to sell me something. Your tips, hacks and ways to do things, are exactly like me in this tiny (to me) house. You buy things you NEED. not just to have.

[@terrysuem11]

This video was positively amazing and extremely informative! You even covered dishwasher elements as well as older vs. younger children! Well done, Madam!! Thank you for your research and insights. 👏 👏 👏

[@nadikaperera9590]

Love all of these tips and tricks! The biggest “aha moment” for us was that our son tends to eat just about anything when he is at daycare/preschool, so packing lunches became less stressful once we realized that he isn’t as picky at school compared than at home.

[@kashbash9645]

Why would it be stressful? If they’re hungry they will eat. Barring any sensory issues which some kids may have.

[@katrinabellingham4405]

After sending my own children to school with a lunchbox, I then raised grandchildren who needed lunchboxes. 26 years with no gap of making up lunchboxes.

[@ellasays]

Wow, amazing! ❤ Please give us your best tips!

[@dsg-yt]

I love the Omie lunch box. I make sausages for breakfast, and then give my son rice and cut up sausage in the Thermos.

[@briwozniak4529]

Target’s Cat and Jack brand has a really great bento box, it’s totally top rack dishwasher safe, it has a built in ice pack, AND it’s only $12. I’ll never go back to our bentgo boxes!!!

[@silmuffin86]

cooking extra dinner and using a thermos instead of a lunch box to warm up leftovers quickly in the morning is life changing! I then just throw in a small snack box with some fruit and/or veggies, put both in the lunch bag, and lunch is done

[@SusieQZee]

Yes! I do this for my children. It’s a hardier and healthier lunch.

[@donnawhitesell3886]

I have multiple grandkids , enjoyed video from the viewpoint of what can I pass on the their parents to help them pack, easy , nutritious lunches.

[@rosepauter9642]

Very helpful tips! My daughter goes to preschool two days/week so the bulk stuff wouldn’t really apply but everything else was 👍🏼

[@brendatovar3454]

Love the ideas! I totally got a full size sandwich in the largest compartment of the bentgo box. Cut it in half and place one half on top of the other! Works great❤

[@magietagie]

Do you have any tips for packing adult lunches? Some of these tips can be used for adults as well, like the cutting up items once a week. Just wondering if you can do a video on that as well.

[@yelena_yelena]

they both work from home

[@hollyhayward956]

Please do more of these, and recipes too would be great.

[@awilson8521]

Our fourth is also on the way! But we put 22months between ours. Thank you for the tips!

[@taradevito6751]

You are so lucky you can send peanut butter we are not allowed here in Canada it’s so annoying!

[@t_jbjorkfam813]

Great videos! Congratulations on your pregnancy- excited to see all the getting ready for baby videos!

[@harmonymiller7999]

Love this! Currently packing 3-4 lunchboxes nightly. LOVE the idea of buying more than one bento box and prepped 2 days at a time! THANK YOU!!! I just LOVE your content! ❤

[@meagana3422]

That's my gripe on bentgo as well. Plus, the thing we always have break is the flip tabs. You can't get a replacement. We also make pizza rolls from scratch, and the kids love them cold. I have the same fear about things getting soggy. But I am 100% going to try the uncrustable and freeze it. That would be a sweet video.

[@cathyfloridagirl2867]

Good ideas for adults to taking their lunch to work like me liked your food ideas ❤

[@cmconcon]

The pizza roll was a big tip for me!

[@kaysegoodson2721]

Awesome video Kallie!! Thank you!!

[@stacyhoffman_growingbravely]

Thank you, Kallie!

[@myrnadevore5461]

I wish they would have had all these different lunch boxes when my kids were growing up!

[@DJ-vy3hu]

I’ve had our bentgo lunch boxes for 3yrs now and I totally put the cover in the dishwasher. Top shelf only. And kinda leaning on the glassware along the side. Each piece goes in the dishwasher prob twice a week. They are still totally fine and leakproof. I have the small kids ones and also the bigger adult ones. I did buy some new ones off Amazon this year that are fantastic also!

[@jessicaparrino1341]

I do this too and have never had an issue!

[@riskiriskidots5006]

You can also cut the apple and put a rubber band around it The avocado you can put a wet paper towel on top of it with seed inside to keep for a few days (:

[@morganwitherall1996]

Hi Kelly we use the plastic zip lock sandwich containers for sandwiches and they work well 9:26

[@kymmarye]

We have a lunch / snack packing station. It’s a 6 cube organizer with 2 of the 6 cubes split with cube dividers. The 4 smaller sections hold utensils and napkins, snacks, fruit cups/ pouches, and drink mixes (true lemon kids). The 4 remaining cubes have lunch containers, snack containers, lunchboxes, and disposable containers (field trips mostly). The whole family (2 adults for work lunches, 2 kids for school lunches) uses this.

[@jackiet8568]

I know these lunch boxes are designed for little kids. But I’m seriously thinking of getting the b.box 3 pack for my high school senior. Between leadership and after school sports the extra boxes would be great to give her a lunch + light after school snack before practice. Healthier and cheaper than driving to Dutch Bros. between school and practice 🤦🏻‍♀️. I work from home… it would be nice to get my act together to pre make myself lunch and snacks too. But since I’m at home, the reusable hefty section boxes are just fine. lol 😂 we bought them for out daughter last year, but they leak and don’t keep her salad cold. I really think the little kid boxes will work great!

[@denisejones1863]

I packed school lunches and also worked as a lunch/recess aid. It was amazing just how much food was thrown away. I think letting kids choose what goes in the lunch is helpful. I they want P and J every day so be it. It is good your schools doesn't allow pre bagged snacks, they are usually unhealthy and hard to open. I think school lunches were nice as a change a couple of times a week. My girls like pizza and potatoes and gravy.

[@mayannemanzano-guerzon3205]

Thank you for sharing and being realistic

[@zoewassermann6601]

I am only packing for my hubby now but like any tips and tricks thank you

[@lboggs2]

You can dip apples into lemon juice, and they won't turn brown. It's super quick and easy. Also, through my own experiments, lime juice makes an avacado turn brown faster. I have found the best method is to slice it and immediately put it in a container. If you limit the amount of time it's out in the air, it will stay green longer.

[@melaniebieleski8242]

I bought the Omie for my kids on your recommendation and I love it! The removable thermos makes hot or cold lunches an option each time. Thank you, Kallie!

[@samcpeak1]

Thank you for mentioning whether the lunch boxes are dishwasher safe!

[@DM-ss4fm]

My lunchbox game is lame. A sandwich and fig bars. Last year it was just a sandwich. I will try the apples today and the avocado for myself. Please share more.

[@carolsky5206]

Amazing!!! I wish this video was around when my daughter was little.

[@ashlymammen1596]

Wow this is really amazing You know I was also trying to find a good lunch box for my twin girls 😂 and I saw your video

[@skybeetle]

I love the b.box , we have the small and medium size and for small childeren perfect! I have saved the Omiebox because that is just genius a thermos inside!

[@jaimebh30]

Awesome hacks! I know you can premake meat and cheese sandwiches no condiments. Some people like having a station in there fridge with lunchbox items ready to go. The child can go in and grab what the want for their lunch. I need to try the third lunchbox with this being my first year packing a lunch. I have a feeling my two year old will want a packed lunch for at home. I hope you, Michael, Miles, Finley, Tate, baby girl, and Olive have a great week!

[@mvwkout5714]

Recipes of the cookies and pizza rolls etc please?

[@bekalaroo]

Ditto!

[@Msbeefierce]

For Apple you can also use lemon juice !

[@puertotexan]

Thanks for the ideas and inspiration. I would love to see a video of how to make those recipes! And I'm definitely getting that uncrustables device. The price of uncrustables has gotten ridiculous.

[@TheSassyGirl57]

loved it, I would love to see more.

[@lh5670]

I loved the bentgo but the shell got gross. The sistema bentgo is cheap, larger, and works well.

[@annw1395]

I've heard of a mom who will also make a lunchbox for her preschooler at the same time. And/or herself. Makes lunchtime at home easier.

[@lyndanickerson1373]

Thank you for the video

[@wtmw15]

We have been washing the outside of our bentgo boxes (in addition to the insert) for years and haven’t had an issue. There was no way I was hand washing several sets of those, so I took a chance haha

[@lunagabriella213]

😂😂❤ I watched this for myself

[@lemarge2140]

Awww congrats on your new baby!!! I’ve been following since you were pregnant w your second.

[@cidness85]

Helpful video. This makes me much more grateful that my kids eat school lunch lol. 😂

[@dnoelani5588]

Thank you! My kids are grown but i take lunch all the time! Im eyeing up that Omie. 😅

[@cresentborchardt5467]

Pregnant with 4th! Where have I been? Much congratulations!!!!

[@CarlMassop]

Thanks for sharing

[@RLDownTheGravelRoad]

Can we please get your lunch box recipes? That would be a great video too.

[@swapnachaulkar4766]

My kid is 9 years old .... it was very helpful 😊

[@razlicak]

I don't have small children anymore, but all this is VERY helpful! :)

[@user-vm5ud4xw6n]

Great video. No lunch packing going on here which I kinda feel bad about. There are so many cool lunch box ideas out now I’m almost tempted to buy one just to enjoy them but I won’t. I never bought any of the lunch box stuff when I was “brown bagging” because the boxes or bags always had the handle on the side instead of on top so stuff would slide into each other or slide to the bottom of the container. Why they couldn’t put the lid on top so you could hold it upright was beyond me. The bento style boxes would be good for my situation now because I get a lot of pre-made food for the nights my son doesn’t feel like cooking. Unfortunately my freezer isn’t big enough. Love the Un-crustable maker. Even at my age I still don’t eat the bottom and side crust. Not sure why! Thanks for the great tips and hope baby 4 comes soon. Amazon also has an Uncrustable maker that not only makes the crustless sandwich but will make triangles if your child likes their sandwich cut in 1/2 on an angle. Put sandwich into the cutter, press down-voila-2 halved sandwich pockets.

[@danielherrin]

The A Team makes an awesome lunch box

[@doyourememberanna]

I do a full sandwich in the bentgo. Cut into four squares, stack them, lay them on their side in the left compartment.

[@Majojienchen]

God bless our kindergarten provides breakfast and afternoon snack ❤️

[@hannahcarroll8110]

The salt water bath!! I’ll have to try this.

[@SuperAH1985]

😂 My 15 year old just the other day showed me that uncrustable tool and begged for it...i told him he's big enough for crust. But yea, I'm packing for a 15 and 20 year olds and never thought in this many years of school/work lunches to make a couple lunches ahead like that...I'm so doing that this school year. Another tip for the avocado: take the pit side, losen the pit enough for kids who'd need the help but leave it in, cut the side into slices, then pour lime over it, and you can seal it with aluminum foil or use the other half as a lid (either it being empty or doing the same slice and lime juice deal with that). Apples can also get a lime and water bath to do the same as the salt, but also, cutting up the apples and packing it tight in aluminum foil should also work without needing the soak. My lunchbox of choice is using Rubbermaid containers, but I do assume those bento style boxes are good for smaller stomaches. I just have to pack so much, especially for the 15 year old, that i need lots of containers.

[@amyrouding7892]

I swear that I am the only one that thinks bento boxes make so sense and are a pain lol. Great video though!

[@toryevanss4512]

Dang, I've been putting all parts of my Bentgo boxes every single day for years. Didn't know I wasn't supposed to, but I've never had a problem. Probably want to avoid the bottom rack if you have a heating element in your dishwasher. The salt water apples soak is awesome. My 12yo did his science experiment on this last year and confirmed that it's by far the best way.

[@abbyralson]

Cutting avocados and apples with ceramic knives will delay the browning for quite a while. You don’t even need to use the steps mentioned in the video. There’s certainly no harm in it, but just another method.

[@GilliMarieMoody]

4 kids now?? OMG. Congrats🥳.

[@waterfall_rb7324]

Great video!! Can you share some of the recipies? Thank you ❤

[@oxigen85]

Lemon prevents apples from browning too

[@LP-Firefly7]

Can you share your prep recipes please?? Mac n cheese, rollups, 🥪, etc.

[@justlittleolme7977]

I soak apple slices in some apple cider vinegar (rather than salt) in cold water. It works really well and we don’t notice the vinegar flavour. 😊

[@crystalbehm4258]

I’m going to be packing a school lunch for my kindergarten so this video could not have come at a better time! 🤗

[@erikaperez4316]

Thank you just what I needed

[@Ana-lm2rd]

Can you make a video of lunch box meals? Please.

[@spannajupiter]

Wow i missed baby 4 congratulations

[@stefarooalg]

Would love the pizza roll recipe!

[@saraharthurs4379]

I wonder if you could use like a bees wax wrap and snap the bentgo box closed on top of it and then save yourself from having to wash the top? Prolly not but just in case I thought I would mention it 😂

[@shawnhurtgen5408]

Soak your apples in pineapple juice to prevent browning. It keeps them sweet and fresh for days.

[@deloreshall5459]

Great video Kallie.😊

[@ashleyjean172]

PLEASE do more videos like this

[@julietannOsfan1972]

I’m really glad that you cut the grapes up. It always makes me cringe when I see videos of whole grapes. I heard on the news a while ago that a 7 year old boy nearly choked to death on a whole grape. Just curious, in the US do children have a sandwich, packet of crisps & a cake/fruit for their lunch like in the UK? Also, why don’t most people in the US put butter on sandwiches? That’s the norm here.

[@tabithagorrell1850]

You just described my kid's lunch perfectly! A sandwich, chips poured in a container and a cut apple. That's their normal lunch, sometimes they'll take leftovers instead of a sandwich. And of course if there is a dessert it'll find its way into the lunchbox!

[@veganlunchmom]

It’s fun sometimes and not fun other days 😂

[@jow.2450]

I try to figure out portions for the week. If it’s Mac n cheese, I’ll figure out portions and put them in a container etc. If it’s a sandwich with all the fixings I’ll have the bread in bags (can reuse), the lettuce might be washed and dried. The chicken will be cut and set aside. It’s so much easier to grab and make quickly vs find the meat. Open the container. Cut it up. Is that enough meat for that person?

[@Waitwhat39]

I always worry about how to properly pack lunches that need refrigeration like cold sandwiches. So I’m limited on my lunch options.

[@Bizygr2]

Great tips!

[@MrsLiinaE]

In so many European countries children just get a warm meal and a dessert at school. In some of the countries it is fully paid by taxpayers. It is simpler, healthier, has more variety and is a great equalizer. Using forks and knives and spoons also helps wit hygene - teachers lead the children to wash their hands before taking seats at the table.

[@Shewhomustnotbenamed8]

Granola bar recipe please! 😮

[@Mrobbo7]

Great video! I struggle with what to make as my daughter has allergies to gluten and dairy. Due to other kids allergies at school we are not allowed to bring anything with egg, nuts or sesame which rules out hummus. Any suggestions on great recipe sites would be beneficial!

[@couponwithcaution8454]

Ok… where have I been??? When did you change your name??? And you’re pregnant??? CONGRATULATIONS 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 I feel like I don’t even know you anymore 😂😂😂😂😂, even though I only know you through videos 😊😊

[@melissabilski2659]

Can you share the pizza roll recipe?

[@EGR370]

I give my kids the apple whole 😅 they don’t mind eating it

[@racheltheshadesoforange8700]

I've heard a lot of people have mold issues with the Bentigo boxes. Have you?