It’s almost that time of year again… Back to school! It can be an exciting and very busy time of year for families. There are many things to prepare and it can be hard to remember them all. Get started with this checklist of our Back to School essentials:
- School meal benefit application - One of the benefits of going back to school for families is school breakfast and lunch! School meals are nutritious and support your child for a day of learning. Participating in the school meal program might not only save you time (not having to make breakfast/pack lunch), but also money. The price of a school lunch in Maryland is between $2.25 and $2.90, depending on the school district. If your family qualifies, your child may receive a free lunch, or a reduced price lunch that costs just $0.40. To see if you qualify, fill out and submit the school meal benefit application to your school (find the link for your school district here).
- Snack ideas - Plan ahead: make snack packs with two or more food groups, such as fruit and dairy or protein and vegetables. Instead of buying individually wrapped snacks, save money by making your own snack packs. Fill reusable bags and food storage containers with cut up fruit and veggie slices, low fat cheese, whole grain crackers, and yogurt dip or hummus. For some snack recipes, check out these ideas on our EatSmart recipe database: Terrific Trail Mix, Strawberry Smoothie, Crunchy Kale Chips, and Garden on a Plate.
- Water bottle - Many schools now allow students to bring water bottles to school in order for them to stay hydrated throughout the day. Make sure your child has a water bottle that can be easily refilled and send it with them to school full of water. You could even add some slices of fruit to the water for an exciting surprise.
- Weeknight dinner recipes - Once the school year starts, busy families may have even less time to cook dinner. Having a meal plan can save you time and stress. Pick general themes for each weeknight (Soup, Pasta, Sheet pan meals, Stir fry, Burgers etc) and list out (either on paper or in a note on your phone) different quick recipes for each of those themes. Refer to this list later when you can’t think of what to make for dinner! Here are a few recipes to get you started: Roasted Sheet Pan Chicken, Potatoes, and Brussels Sprouts, Quick Minestrone Soup, Black Bean Burgers, Pasta with Greens, Beans and Chicken.
- Movement brain break activities - After a long day of learning, kids can use a brain break, and physical activity is the perfect way to have fun and relax. Have this list of movement ideas bookmarked and ready to pull out when you aren’t sure what activities to do!
