3 Ways to Make the Happiest Lunchbox Ever

Halfway through the school year, I tend to get stuck in a rut of packing the same sandwiches and sides in my kid’s lunchbox. The container often comes back at the end of the day with the sandwiches uneaten. When this happens, I realize that it is my son’s passive way of suggesting he’d like something new.

Do you find yourself in a similar situation? Here are three pancake-inspired lunchbox ideas your kid’s will love – and they are easy enough for you to throw together in no time at all.

Lunchbox No. 1: Colorful Silver Dollar Dippers

An easy way to liven up a ho-hum lunchbox is with a little color! These silver dollar rainbow pancakes are the perfect size for little hands and their playful hues make them irresistible.

Following Bisquick’s Silver Dollar Pancake recipe, mix together your batter and divide it into four equal parts, then separate into individual bowls. Add a few drops of gel food coloring into each bowl and whisk until evenly blended.

Next, pour small amounts of batter, approximately 2 inches in diameter, onto your griddle. Flip when the bubbles begin to pop. When finished cooking, remove pancakes from griddle and allow them to cool.

These colorful pancakes can be packed with dipping sauces (try the raspberry preserve and blueberry cream cheese pictured), or you can use them to make miniature cream cheese sandwiches.

Lunchbox No. 2: Cutie-Cute Cut Outs

By using different cookie cutters, you can customize these darling pancake sandwiches to suit your children’s interests.

Following Bisquick’s Silver Dollar Pancake recipe, mix together your batter and pour small amounts of batter, approximately 2 inches in diameter, onto your griddle. Flip when the bubbles begin to pop. When finished cooking remove pancakes from griddle and allow them to cool.

After the pancakes have cooled, choose two equally sized pancakes, spread your filling on one and line up your chosen cookie cutter in the center of the other.

Punch out your shape and sandwich the two pancakes together.

Feel free to get creative with the filling. For the star sandwich (pictured above) I used strawberry-flavored cream cheese. The snail is filled with chocolate hazelnut spread, the shark is blueberry-flavored cream cheese, and the heart uses raspberry preserves.

Lunchbox No.3: Peanut Butter, Jelly and Banana Sliders

Here’s an exciting twist on the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, a favorite children’s lunch item. Concerned about peanut butter allergies in the classroom? You can easily substitute cream cheese for peanut butter.

Following Bisquick’s Silver Dollar Pancake recipe, mix together your batter and pour small amounts of batter, approximately 2 inches in diameter, onto your griddle. Flip when the bubbles begin to pop. When finished cooking remove pancakes from griddle and allow them to cool.

After your pancakes have cooled, spread a thin layer of peanut butter on two equally sized pancakes. Adding peanut butter to both pancakes will help adhere them together. Next, add a dollop of raspberry preserves and thinly sliced bananas. Sandwich the two pancakes together and you have a healthy treat that'll surely be eaten.