Back to School Days: Getting the Academic Year Off to a Great Start
Fall means one thing for kids: back to school. From school lunch ideas to educational activities, here are a few ideas to get the academic year off to a grest start. —Julia Mullaney
✅ TAKE PLANNING SCHOOL LUNCHES OFF YOUR PLATE
Planning school lunches can be the hardest part of getting ready for a new school year. If you want the kiddos to enjoy balanced, healthy meals they’ll love, try using a meal prep delivery service like Crave Meal Prep. This Asbury Park-based business offers a flexible children’s meal plan with weekly kids meals, like healthy quesadillas with corn salsa, starting at $50 per week for five meals, and they deliver anywhere in the state.
Crave Meal Prep Co.
906 Sewall Ave.
Asbury Park
813.555.7098
cravemealsnj.com
✅ HAVE FUN ON THE FARM
The little ones might be too young to start their own farm, but they can still have fun learning the basics. Howell Living History Farm in Hopewell offers a number of seasonal education programs for kids of all ages, including a Fall Farm Animals event where kids can learn how farmers prepare animals for the upcoming colder months and what purpose each animal serves on the farm. Plus, the farm hosts a Preschool Fridays event each week where young children can meet the animals and learn about farm life.
Howell Living History Farm
70 Woodens Ln.
Hopewell
609.737.3299
howellfarm.org
✅ TAKE LEARNING FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE KITCHEN
Extend education beyond the school day and make learning a little more exciting by involving food. The Flavor Labs, with locations in Paramus and Norwood, offers interactive classes for kids between the ages of 2 and 16, where kids can experiment with flavors and ingredients in a fun environment. The kitchens are nut-free and can accommodate food allergies. Check their website for a full list of fall classes.
The Flavor Labs
59 East Ridgewood Ave.
Paramus
514 Livingston St.
Norwood
201.272.6544
201.292.3733
theflavorlabs.com
✅ CHOOSE A CSA FOR HEALTHY SNACKS
Back-to-school isn’t just about planning lunch. Healthy snacks and weekday breakfasts and dinners are important too, and every parent wants something quick and delicious. Consider signing up for a CSA program; a number of New Jersey farms offer programs that stretch well into the fall, including Alstede Farms in Chester, Fernbrook Farms in Chesterfield, and Walking Bird Farm in Little Egg Harbor, where you can pick up a share of seasonal produce each week—such as apples and cranberries—for the makings of quick, easy schoolday snacks and nutritious meals. Visit Edible Jersey’s 2024 CSA Guide for more information and locations.
ediblejersey.ediblecommunities.com/shop/csa-guide-jersey
✅ LEAVE A LITTLE LUNCH NOTE
Heading back to school is exciting, but that doesn’t mean the kids aren’t feeling a few nerves. A brief, positive note might be just what your child needs when they open their lunchbox on that first day. These sweet lunchbox notes by Denville-based brand The Family Keystone are available at Just Jersey Goods, and they’re filled with encouraging messages and fun drawings the kids will love.
Just Jersey Goods
163 South St., Morristown
973.590.2820
justjerseygoods.com
thefamilykeystone.com
