Everyday Bento Box Party of One!

I’ve been a fan of Wendy Thorpe Copley for a while now.  I’ve made many bento box lunches (inspired by her website, Wendolonia) for my daughter during kindergarten. (Wendy has even guest contributed to Alpha Mom with her Bento Box 101.) However, I happened to have that kid who is super picky about her food. She would rather not eat at school at all if I gave her that choice. Do you have a kid like that? I’ve tried everything.

So when Wendy’s book, Everyday Bento: 50 Cute and Yummy Lunches to Go came out and my daughter spied it sitting there so colorful and inviting on our coffee table, she immediately wanted to make a bento box lunch. I figured why should I have all the fun making art out of food? Why don’t I set up a little food party and she can create to her heart’s content? She might even eat it if she makes it herself!

I set the table with everything she would need to create a bento box masterpiece: containers, fruit, nuts, protein (sliced in “punchable” flat sizes), vegetables and rice. I had never colored rice before, that’s something really neat that I learned from Wendy’s book. I put out all of our small cookie cutter punches and a cutting board with a butter knife so my daughter could create her own shapes too.

Then I let her be. It was so fun to watch her create little scenes in her bento box containers.

 

I can see this turning into an event for a party. I have to admit I had to get in on the action too. How could you not?

She was very proud of her creations.

She even took her favorite bento box out into the yard, sat on a blanket and ate the entire thing!

Go figure.

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Are you looking for more ideas for packed lunches or snacks? Wendy’s book, Everyday Bento: 50 Cute and Yummy Lunches to Go was released last week and is available for purchase. It’s packed with ideas for fun, delicious lunches. With 50 brand new bento box lunches and step-by-step instructions showing you how to make them will provide you with loads of inspiration.