School Lunch Ideas That Won’t Break the Budget

A weekly series of easy, affordable lunchbox inspo + what to buy for the week ahead

Hi lovely mums 👋

Welcome to the first post in our weekly school lunch series, where I’ll be sharing simple, realistic and budget-friendly school lunch ideas (the kind kids will actually eat), plus the supermarket specials worth popping in your trolley.

Let’s be real: kids are always hungry. Snacks are gone in seconds. And the cost of keeping up with it all? It adds up fast. So this series is here to help, with easy lunch wins and budget tips to make your week a little smoother.

🍱 Bento Boxes = Big Savings

One of the best swaps we’ve made is using bento-style lunchboxes. They’re easy to pack, fun to eat from, and help stretch our groceries further. A few simple tricks we use at home:

- Big bag of chips → five snack serves
- Block of cheese → cubed and packed
- Yoghurt → into reusable tubs and frozen overnight

We also use snack tubs to portion out crackers, trail mix, or fruit - it’s less waste, and way more affordable than buying everything individually packed.

But yes - we also love a shortcut.
Mini snack packs can be lifesavers. If they’re half price at Woolies, I’ll absolutely stock up! They’re perfect for grab-and-go mornings if time is a little tight.

🛒 What to Buy This Week (½ Price Woolies Picks) valid Wed 16 Jul - Tue 22 Jul 2025 

Here are the lunchbox friendly supermarket specials to keep an eye out for this week (check your local Woolies or app to confirm availability and pricing):

 

A few of our favs:

• The Natural Chip Co Sea Salt & Vinegar 175g - $2.50 (was $5)
  Great value bulk snack. Portion into containers or bags — one pack goes a long way.
  View on Woolworths →
  
  

• Farmers Union Greek Yogurt Pouches (Strawberry) - $1.10 (was $2.20)
  Such a handy pouch option — and psst… we’ve got something exciting coming for yoghurt soon, so keep your eyes peeled!
  View on Woolworths →
  
  

• Sakata Cheese Rice Crackers - $1.05 (was $2.10)
  Affordable, crunchy and a hit in our house — especially the cheese flavour.
  View on Woolworths →
  
  

• Frisp Smoothie Drops - Apple Strawberry - $2.45 (was $4.90)
  A fun, fruity “tiny bit” snack that’s great for kindy and early primary.
  View on Woolworths →
  
  

• Charlie’s Mini Rice Crisp Cakes (Milk Chocolate) - $3.00 (was $6)
  Perfect for a little sweet treat in the lunchbox or after school.
  View on Woolworths →
  
  

🍓🥝 Seasonal Fruit Picks – Fresh & Frozen Ideas

Fruit is one of the easiest lunchbox fillers, and this week’s fresh seasonal options are chef’s kiss. We’re shopping:

• Fresh fruit: Oranges, mandarins, bananas, kiwis and pears – all at great prices because they’re in season. Easy to slice, pack whole, or serve in a fruit salad mix.
  
  

• Frozen fruit: Strawberries, mixed berries, and mango – amazing value and super versatile. We love them in smoothies, tossed into yogurt, or defrosted slightly and packed into containers with a sprinkle of granola or coconut.
  
  

Tip: pack frozen mango cubes in the morning and they’re defrosted and chilled by recess!

🍎 School Lunchbox Idea of the Week

Balanced, easy to prep, and budget-friendly:

✅ Mini ham & cheese sandwiches
✅ Cucumber sticks + hummus or French onion dip (yum!)
✅ Popcorn or chips in a reusable pouch
✅ Frozen yoghurt Pouches
✅ Oreos - A sweet treat - because life’s about balance 💛

Prep it all the night before and grab it from the fridge in the morning. 

🥣 Breakfast - Quick & Filling

Breakfast is where it all starts, and we know mornings can be… chaos. Here are a few favourites that are on special and super reliable for quick mornings:

• Cheerios or Milo Cereal – Kid-approved.
  

• Carman’s Aussie Oats / Rolled Oats Protein – Great for sporty kids or hungry teens who need something hearty.

• Up & Go – The sleep-in saver! Grab-and-go goodness for when you’re running late.

🎒 Must-Have: Our Spixal Lunch Bag + Bento Box Bundle

If you’re still hunting for the right lunch gear, our Lunch Bag + Bento Box Bundle is a total win. It’s durable, lightweight, easy to clean, and works for kids and mums. I use one for work days when I need lunch on the run!

It keeps food fresh, compartments tidy, and mornings calmer.

📦 New Products Coming Soon (For School & Work!)

We’ve got some exciting, practical new products in the works - all designed to make school and work life smoother. If you're all about “make my life easier” solutions, join our Spixal newsletter to be the first to hear when they drop.

You’ll get first dibs, early access and helpful tips (no spam, promise).

Thanks for being here! I’ll see you next week with another round of school lunch ideas and fresh specials to help you plan ahead and save.

Let’s make lunch packing a little easier - one week at a time 💛

Maggie - Mum of 2 x