A healthy children’s lunchbox should include a variety of nutritious foods that provide energy, nutrients, and support overall health and well-being. Children attending our holiday camp will need a healthy and hearty packed lunch to carry them through the day. We suggest packing two sandwiches, plenty of fruit, a yoghurt pot, a packet of crisps, a juice drink, or a carton of squash. A refillable water bottle is also essential. Please see our list of Lunchboxes Don’t for what NOT to include. We have a NO SHARING FOOD Policy due to the risks posed to allergy sufferers and for the consideration of children with religious dietary requirements.
Here are some key components of a healthy children’s lunchbox:
- Whole Grains: Include whole grain bread, pasta, or crackers in the lunchbox to provide a good source of fibre, which can help keep kids feeling full and satisfied. Examples of whole-grain foods include brown rice, quinoa, whole-wheat bread, and whole-grain crackers.
- Protein: Include a protein source such as lean meat, eggs, beans, or nut butter to help build and repair tissues and maintain a healthy immune system.
- Fruits and Vegetables: Include a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables to provide important vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables can be included.
- Dairy or Dairy Alternatives: Dairy products like cheese, yoghurt or milk can provide important calcium and vitamin D for bone health, or you can choose plant-based alternatives like soy or almond milk and vegan cheese.
- Water: Encourage your child to drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
Lunchbox Don’ts
Please do not include:
- Fizzy drinks
- Any nut products
- Peanut butter products
- Energy drinks
- Sugary sweets
- Chocolate
- Grapes (due to the choking risk)
- Cocktail sausages (due to the choking risk)
- Raw fish & seafood (sushi)
Avoid processed and packaged foods that are high in added sugars, salt, and unhealthy fats. Snacks like chips, candy, and sugary drinks should be avoided or limited to occasional treats. By providing a healthy and balanced lunchbox, children will have the energy and focus needed to perform well in school and other activities.
At Holiplay, every afternoon between 3.30pm and 4pm we provide the children with a portion of fruit, a biscuit and drink of squash. Due to their age and rapidly developing metabolism our Cubby Campers will also get an additional small light snack, served hot or cold, which for example would be the likes of a cheese toastie, noodles or a vegetable wrap.
Note – Holiplay is registered as a food business and is mandated to act within rules and guidelines of the Food Standards Agency UK. We are required by law to report any case of food poisoning that occurs during our hours of operation, and to identify the potential source of the contaminated food. As such, we are not permitted to heat or reheat cooked food brought into the setting.