Now that we’ve hit late summer, it’s time to acknowledge that the back-to-school season is really, truly right around the corner.
Don’t get us wrong. We’re thrilled that school will be back in session before long — almost as thrilled as this hilarious mama! — but there are still a few hurdles between now and the sweet, sweet child-free bliss of September.
One of the main hurdles? Organizing your back-to-school plan of attack.
We’re talking school supplies, we’re talking bus routes, we’re talking teacher gifts. And yes, that’s right, we’re talking school lunch.
It’s an annual struggle to get most kids to pack healthy, nutritious food at lunchtime, instead of buying hot lunch or trading friends for chips and cookies.
With that in mind, here’s a great way to make packed lunch fun again: try the Butterfly Snack Pack, a DIY approach that will make kids thrilled to eat anything you pack them, thanks to the snazzy wrapping!
Scroll through the gallery below to see how it’s done!
To get things started, you'll need a few everyday materials and a little bit of creativity.
You'll start with the normal stuff you always need for packing lunch: healthy snacks and a sealable bags.
You'll also want plain wooden clothespins, Sharpie or magic markers, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, and Elmer's glue.
Start with the clothespins, which will form the "body" of your butterfly.
Using a colorful marker, begin to draw on the wood of the clip to create a fun and funky pattern for your butterfly — we went with wavy teal stripes.
The eyes will go on the end that clips down, so make sure you keep that in mind when creating your design.
Next, apply just a touch of glue to the backs of your googly eyes.
Carefully flip the eyes over, and fix them into place on the designated "head" section of your clothespin.
Press them firmly down, cleaning any excess glue if necessary, and let them dry.
Next, make your antennae by folding an ordinary pipe cleaner in half until it forms a V shape.
Trim the ends to the desired length, and curl them slightly, if you want, for a cute, swirly look.
Now, set the antennae aside. You won't need them again until the very end.
Fill the snack bag all the way full of your food, making sure to divide them evenly and keep a clear line down the middle.
You want both sides to be roughly even in weight and bulk, so try to balance them out as best you can.
Seal the bag, squishing as much air out as possible and maintaining the divide between snacks.
Gently ruche the bag along that central divide until it forms two "wings."
Open the clothespin, and catch the plastic in the grip of the pin, closing it again when you clear the zippered top of the bag.
Double-check and make sure that the bag isn't caught in any way that will cause it to rip later.
Now, for the final touch, grab those antennae you set aside earlier.
Bring them to the top of the clothespin, where you put the googly eyes before.
Open the pin very, very slightly, just enough to close it on the V shape of the antennae.
And there you have it, a delicious butterfly-shaped snack bag!
You can make as many as you want for lunch, and kids may even request the same "butterfly" bodies again and again, so hang onto those clothespins!
They are also a great healthy offering for playdates, soccer games, and Girl Scout meetings.
If you love this crafty school lunch idea, check out the back-to-school quiz below, and don't forget to SHARE this clever strategy with any friends or families sending kids back to school this fall!
