Hey, it's raining sideways and blowing trees down - sounds like a great day to take 50 five year-olds to the zoo! Yeah, not my idea of fun.  But my kindergarteners had a field trip today, and I try to be a team player when I can, so I went along for the ride.

For field trips our teachers as that we pack in all disposable containers, so that they don’t have to worry about keeping track of expensive lunch containers and making sure they make it home.  I started a tradition when my first two were in kindergarten of drawing pictures of their field trip destination on their lunch bags, so I’m trying to keep it up with my second two.  These drawings were pretty basic today since we were running late, but I still managed to get something done, and the kids still love it.

For my lunch I used a plastic container that some tomatoes came in.  Those plastic clamshell produce containers are great for packing disposable lunches - they keep it from getting smashed in the bag, and I feel better about throwing the container away because it’s something that was going to get thrown out (or recycled) anyway. 

The Lunch Idea:

I think burritos make a perfect field trip lunch.  They are self contained and easy to eat with one hand.  And even when eaten cold I still think they are warming and comforting for the tummy - which is just what we needed on this stormy day. For field trips I try to pack stuff that is easy to eat and not messy, and travels well.

What’s in the Lunch:

• Bean and cheese burritos
• tomatoes
• seaweed snacks
• two have tortilla chips
• two on the field trip have a juice box
• one has dried cranberries instead of tomatoes
• I had some salsa and a little pack of cheese with mine

Questions and tips:

• I think some folks probably think of burritos as something that can only be eaten hot - but don’t knock it ’til you try it.  They are great at room temp too.  I heat them up with I make them, to melt the cheese into the beans and get the tortilla nice and soft.  They roll up better when warm, and the whole thing will hold together better if you rolled it up hot and then let it cool. 
• Seaweed snacks are a great way to get a little green into the lunch.  They are salty and crunchy and honestly most kids like them.  Even my super picky kid loves them. I got these at Costco.
• Next time you get berries or tomatoes in a plastic container, stash it away and save it for packing a lunch on the go - they make great disposable lunch containers.