Halloween bento lunch box ideas for kids that you can master

Let your child take Halloween to school

Mickey Dacumos-Alingarog, mother to one-year-old Mayumi Ysabel, stumbled into bento-box making while searching for a way to feed her picky eater. Now, she is an enthusiast who also gives classes to others moms who want a creative way to present food to their family.

If she, and other moms can do it, then so can you!

And because Halloween is around the corner, here are three of Mickey's spooktakular recipes that are certified ghoulicious. She also shares a chock-full of tips to help you become a bento master.

Read:13 Pottery Barn Kids Halloween costumes that are too adorable!

But first, here are items you need

1. Rolling pin

2. Knife

3. Tweezers

4. Brush

5. Scissors

6. Food picks*

7. Cookie cutters and stamps*

8. Food punchers*

9. Food coloring (optional)

10. Bento Box/colorful plate

11. Sprinkles and Nori sheets

*You can buy these bento box tools and décor from online suppliers such as Bentoshopph. You can also purchase these at Japan Home, Daiso, and pastry supply stores.

Boo-tiful bites

Clockwise, from top: Dole mandarins, grapes, and bite-sized cream cheese and peanut-butter sandwiches)

TIP: When you prepare bento box meals: variety is key. The secret to a successful bento box is bright, complementing colors.

For the pumpkin, decorate using a leaf-inspired food pick and made a face using the skin of a grape. Skewer grapes onto a food pick. Put them into little plastic cups.

When it comes to food and fruits that easily become soggy, separate them into little cups. "I found that children don’t like the mixing of flavors too much," Mickey says.

The collection of ghouls is exceptionally fun to make. First make the peanut butter and cream cheese sandwiches, then take a cookie mold to cut out rounded pieces. Everything else is decoration.

For the mummy, use pieces of rolled bread to make the "wrapped” effect. For the bat, use red food coloring to "paint” on the colors.

Frankenstein’s green complexion is made by brushing a little pesto oil onto bread. The facial details such as eyes, hair, mouth and etc. were made from cut-out Nori and sprinkles.

A Hello Kitty Halloween

Clockwise, from top: Chicken Inasal, Edamame soy beans, quail eggs, and Hello Kitty in Pumpkin costume made from rice and carrot bits

It’s all about presentation, so you don’t necessarily need to cook two different menus for your littles one and the rest of the family.

For this design, cut up the Chicken Inasal and skewered edamame beans and quail eggs onto a food pick. Hello Kitty is made from hand-rolled rice and mixed in bits of carrot (for the pumpkin costume). Cut a carrot slice to form Hello Kitty’s bow.

Then the "faces” were cut out from Nori (seaweed sheets).

Macaroni with cheese sauce and pesto

Take leftover pasta and cheese sauce. Then and add a few drops of red food coloring to make the "brain.” To make it more child-friendly and fun, stick candy eyes made from cream cheese and Nori.

Like adults, children "eat” with their eyes first, so make sure to present the food on colorful plates.

Ask your kid to make these with you!

When it comes to bento-box making, you don’t need to be too serious. Experiment, play and have fun as there’s no wrong or right way to do bento.

Also, do invite your children to help out in the preparation. It’s a great way to bond as mother and children – whether it’s making or eating them together.

For more tips and ideas for your bento box, visit Mickey & Mayumi's ImBento Meals and Food Art. You may also inquire about Mickey’s ImBento Box Workshops at 0905 367 9464

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kristel Dacumos-Lagorza

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Written by

Kaydee Dela Buena

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