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Save on Groceries in 2025

Lunches Your Kids Can Make Themselves This Summer

June 7, 2016 by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom Leave a Comment

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Ryan SALive

For years, I’ve done news segments sharing recipes, ideas and kitchen hacks for helping you spend less money on groceries. And for years, my oldest son has asked at the time of each segment – “Can I do one with you sometime, mom?” Originally, I thought it was his fascination with the studio, the production, the cameramen, etc. But as he kept asking and asking, I found it’s because he wanted to help others too.

When talking with my local station about doing some segments this spring, this topic came up and Ryan was thrilled to finally have an opportunity to shine on TV. And he did just that…he was amazing. For a generally shy kid, he had no problems talking his way through the segment!

Easy_summer_lunches_kids_can_make_at_home

My goal for my 4 boys is to send them off into the world knowing how to cook for themselves. Each will probably learn different things, but I hope that each will be able to make more than a box of mac n cheese or Ramen!

Walked into the kitchen and the oldest is teaching the youngest how to scramble eggs. 👏👏👏{Don’t worry about him being up on that stool…he’s part mountain 🐐-part 🐒!!! 😳😁🙈} It’s moments like this that give me hope… #scenesfrommykitchen

A photo posted by Erin Chase (@5dollardinners) on Nov 4, 2015 at 5:23am PST

The summer time is a great time to let them make messes and mistakes, as they learn how to cook, bake and make themselves lunch. While I adore cooking and feeding my boys, I also don’t mind working myself out of the job…so that they will have valuable and needed kitchen skills!

Here are the ideas that we shared in the segment…plus some others:

31 Days of School Lunchbox Ideas: Day 15 | 5DollarDinners.com

French Toast Sticks

31 Days of School Lunchbox Ideas - Day 29 | 5DollarDinners.com

Cheesy Dogs in a Blanket

31 Days of School Lunchbox Ideas Day 14 | 5DollarDinners.com

Bean & Cheese Tostadas 

Also, while we shared this series for 31 school lunchbox ideas…you could totally use it for inspiration for the kids deciding what meals to make on their own this summer!

I hope you’ll make it a priority this summer to take some time to help teach and equip your kiddos to be efficient in the kitchen…and what easier meal to start with than lunches!! 

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