School Tiffin Snacks Recipe Ideas for Preschoolers

When for the fourth day in a row Anaya brought her snack box back home, food untouched, Priya was exasperated. She was at her wits’ end trying to crack this daily tiffin conundrum. Anaya didn’t want parathas, or idlis or sandwiches. And Priya didn’t want to make a habit of giving her cake or chips every day. [Read - Healthy Holiday Snacks Made Your Child]

This is a familiar scene in many homes with young children. What to give your child in her school tiffin is a question you are faced with every day. And to find a snack that is healthy, yet looks appealing enough to tempt your child to eat, can seem like a herculean task. When we posted this question to our parent bloggers, we received so many ideas from these mothers, each unique and equally appetizing. Why not try some with your own child? And a big thank you to all the mothers who shared their ideas with us.

Tiffin Ideas For Your 3-7 Years Child

Like most parents, you are always wondering what to give your child in his tiffin, we have some ideas that may be of help. From egg rolls, rice, to fruits, here’s a menu for an entire week—made by the mothers!

Egg Rolls by Anurima:

Make an egg roll using a thin roti or parantha. You can experiment with fillings. They can be Chinese style with sautéed vegetables, or potato/paneer filling. Roll tightly so that it doesn’t unravel. For younger children, you can cut it further into bite-sizes.

Cheese Cucumber Sandwich by Anurima:

A summer favorite with most children, the cool crunchy cucumber and cheese is a never-fail combination. Just assemble it all together and season with salt, pepper or any herb of your child’s liking.

Frankie by Divya:

Make thin, soft rotis, and place any vegetable in it. You might want to layer the roti with ketchup first. Tightly roll and wrap in aluminum or cling wrap.

Fruit Salad by Divya:

Mix up a few seasonal fruits together in a bowl. Add a dash of lemon juice, which apart from adding delicious zing, keeps the salad fresh, too.

Fruits by Ankita:

Fruits are healthy, filling, and mostly mess-free. Choose fruits like grapes, oranges, sweet lime or mosambi (peel and cut into bite-sizes), and bananas (not too ripe), which won’t spoil easily. Older children can be given an apple or a pear. Occasionally, you can sneak in a cucumber too.

Stuffed Paranthas by Ayushi:

Stuffed paranthas are a popular choice because they remain soft and are flavorful.

1. Use any vegetables you have in your kitchen - grated cabbage, cauliflower, onion, or a mix of all of them
2. Paneer is a good choice for a filling, too
3. Make a roll out of a plain parantha. Spread pizza or pasta sauce on it. Sauté chopped vegetables such as onion, green capsicum, beans, with garlic and a dash of vinegar. Season with salt and pepper and roll it up
4. You can also break an egg onto the paratha and cook it before putting in the vegetables

Chilas by Natasha:

These can be made with besan, and then you can add seasonal vegetables. You can initially spread ketchup for taste and to keep it moist as well. Try making chilas out of sooji or semolina, the uttapam style.

Cheese Chappati by Hazel:

For children who are fond of cheese, grate cheese on their regular roti or parantha and pack it up. They will definitely devour it.

Colorful Rice by Neetu:

Most children seem to love rice. You can try giving them lemon rice (season with curry leaves and mustard seeds. Add lots of lemon juice later). Add soya nuggets for a burst of good health.

The Occasional Treat by Divya:

Add a surprise goodie like a piece of chocolate or a muffin in the Tiffin, once a while. They will love it. 

Getting your child to eat healthy may seem difficult at first. But it helps to remove any negative associations with eating – for e.g. “If your lunch box is not empty when you come home, you can’t go out to play this evening” makes it seem like lunch is just a necessary evil he needs to get done with. And don’t bribe with treats to finish a meal, either. Help your child associate mealtime with positivity, and eat in a relaxed manner without distractions. This sets the foundation for healthy eating, and you will be surprised at demands for healthy snacks in his tiffin box. [Check This - Homemade Snacks Ideas for Child's Birthday Party]

Do you experiment with ideas for your child’s lunch box? Share your tips on what worked with your child, in the comments section!