Caleb was “the new kid” in school this year as he entered second grade, so I wanted to give him that extra little smile on the first week of school. After some thinking about it, I came up with a silly surprise for his lunch box…and it’s actually something that was such a hit in the cafeteria, I have decided to continue!
The story behind this is touching and it’s why I take the extra step to add some personality to his lunch box even today! When Caleb was in Kindergarten, I remember drawing little picture notes. Lots of hearts, little “I love you’s.” Now that he is in second grade, he’s still my baby a BIG BOY! I can’t embarrass him like that!
As mcuh as I wanted to write “I love you SO much my little precious sweetheart, have a super awesome first day,” I was afraid he miiiight get teased. Just a little. What would be a safer bet? (Mommy light bulb) Jokes! Fun little notes in a joke form. Maybe I could get away with adding a drawing. A small one. This way, he would have a note from me AND laugh. If other kids see it, I bet they would enjoy it, too. In my mom dreams, maybe I would even be considered…The Cool Mom?!
It worked!
The first day I picked up my new second grader from school, hee ran down the hallway so excited to “tell me” the joke I had wrote. HA! He said it made everyone laugh and they all wanted to hear more. More?! I was so happy to hear this. It truly was a little icebreaker in the cafeteria. My plan worked! Caleb was making friends. I look forward to packing his lunches and adding jokes.
Here is my formula for lunch box jokes and notes:
- Each day of the week I write mini joke notes and stick them in his lunch box.
- I mix it up with colorful Post-it notes with a joke and a drawing
- Sometimes I will write with permanent marker writing directly on zip lock sandwich bags
- I write each week out ahead of time on Sunday nights (hidden in the pantry where he won’t find them).
- There are many kid-friendly joke websites that are wonderful resources.
- Adding cartoons has been a bit of a stretch but the more I do it the better I get. He LOVES the cartoons so much.
- I will add joke-themed snacks to the bag if I feel EXTRA ambitious, like goldfish crackers with ocean jokes!
A few of our favorite lunch box jokes to get you started:
Q: Why are fish so smart?
A: They swim in “schools”
Q: What do you call a pig that knows karate?
A: A pork chop!
Q: What do planets like to read?
A. Comet books!
Q: Where does a polar bear keep his money?
A. In a snow bank!
Q: What’s a puppy’s favorite kind of pizza?
A. Pup-peroni!
Q: Where do horses live?
A. In the neigh-borhood!
Q: What do you call a fly without wings?
A. A walk!
What touches my heart is Caleb actually saves up the lunch box jokes in his backpack. He brings them out at home to share with the family. He has memorized a few and LOVES make people laugh.
Please let me know if you test this out in your kiddo’s lunch box. Send me your favorite kid-friendly lunch box jokes, as I am always looking for new ones to add to Caleb’s lunch, and I think it would be fun to share!
