Lunch Box Notes: Encouraging Messages That Can Brighten Your Child’s Day
- Rashda Munawar
- 11 minutes ago
- 8 min read
There’s something special about opening a lunch box and finding a little note tucked inside.
It might say, “You’ve got this!” or “I’m thinking of you!” Maybe it’s just a silly joke, a little doodle, or three simple words: “I love you.”
It takes only a few seconds to write, but that tiny message can make a child smile in the middle of a busy school day.
I’ve always loved hiding lunch box notes in my kids’ lunches. But I’ll admit something: as much as I love doing it, I don’t always remember to do it!
Especially when back-to-school season arrives, there are lunches to prepare, backpacks to find, water bottles to fill, homework to remember, and approximately 47 things that seem to happen before everyone gets out the door. 😊
So I thought, why not make it easier?
That’s how my collection of 70+ lunch box notes came to life.
Why I Created These Lunch Box Notes
I wanted to create something that would give parents and teachers a little help when they want to encourage a child but don't necessarily have the time to come up with a new message every morning.
The idea is simple: choose a note, pop it into the lunch box, and you're done.
The messages are designed to encourage children, build confidence, remind them to keep trying, celebrate their efforts, and let them know that someone believes in them.
And because I know there is something extra special about a personal message from a parent, I also included space for you to write your own.
Sometimes a ready-made message is exactly what we need on a busy morning. Other times, you might want to write:
“Good luck with your presentation today!”
“I know you’re nervous, but I believe in you.”
Or maybe something only your family would understand.
Those handwritten messages have their own charm.
The printable is simply there to make life a little easier, not to replace your voice.
The complete bundle includes 70+ lunch box notes that parents and teachers can use to encourage children in simple, meaningful ways.
You’ll find messages that can help children:
Believe in themselves
Keep going when something feels difficult
Try something new
Learn from mistakes
Feel proud of their effort
Handle challenges with confidence
Remember that progress takes time
Feel loved and supported
And you don't have to use them only in lunch boxes. More on that in a minute!
This resource is also available on my website for just $2.99 or
Want to Try the Lunch Box Notes First?
If you'd like to see what the resource looks like before getting the full bundle, I’ve made the first two pages available as a free lunch box notes printable on TPT.
You can download the free sample, try the notes with your child or students, and see if they’re a good fit for you.
If you love the sample, the complete bundle includes 70+ messages plus blank templates so you can add your own personal notes.
How to Use Lunch Box Notes
The beauty of lunch box notes is that there really isn't a right or wrong way to use them.
You can make them a regular tradition, use them occasionally, or simply reach for one when your child needs a little extra encouragement.
You Don’t Have to Use Lunch Box Notes Every Day
This is important.
I don't want lunch box notes to become one more thing on a parent's never-ending morning checklist.
The goal is connection, not perfection.
In fact, I think an occasional surprise can make a note feel even more special.
You might choose to put one in a lunch once or twice a week. Or perhaps you only use one when you know your child has something important happening that day.
Maybe your child has a test.
Maybe they're nervous about making a new friend.
Maybe they're trying out for a team.
Maybe they're having a difficult week.
Or maybe there doesn't need to be a reason at all.
Sometimes a random “I love you!” is exactly what a child needs.
Match Your Lunch Box Note to What Your Child Needs
One of my favourite things about using lunch box encouragement notes is that you can choose a message based on what your child is experiencing.
For example:
Your child is trying something new:Choose a message about being brave and giving things a try.
Your child is nervous about a test:Choose a message reminding them to trust themselves and do their best.
Your child made a mistake:Choose a message about learning, growing, and trying again.
Your child is feeling discouraged:Choose a message that reminds them that progress doesn't happen overnight.
Your child has a big presentation or performance:Choose a simple “You’ve got this!” message.
Your child accomplished something:Celebrate their effort, persistence, or courage, not just the final result.
This is also a wonderful opportunity to bring growth mindset language into everyday life.
Instead of focusing only on “Did you get it right?”, we can remind children:
Did you keep trying?
Did you learn something?
Did you try a different strategy?
Did you ask for help?
Did you do something that felt difficult?
Sometimes one little note can open the door to a much bigger conversation.
Creative Ways to Put Lunch Box Notes in the Lunch Box
Of course, the message is important, but half the fun is finding it!
Simple Ways to Hide Lunch Box Notes
You can tuck a note almost anywhere:
Under their sandwich
Beside their favourite snack
Inside their napkin
Next to their water bottle
Inside a lunch container
In a small pocket of their lunch bag
Folded inside a wrapper or reusable snack bag
Beside their fork or spoon
You can even create a little routine where your child knows there might be a note somewhere, but they don't know exactly where.
That turns lunchtime into a tiny treasure hunt.
Make the Lunch Box Note Stay longer
Sometimes a beautifully written note has a very short life because it ends up at the bottom of the lunch bag.
One simple trick is to put a small piece of tape on the back of the note and stick it somewhere inside the lunch box.
You can place it on the inside of the lid, where your child will see it as soon as they open their lunch.
This is especially helpful if you want the note to stay visible throughout lunchtime.
Just use tape that can be removed easily from the surface.
Make Your Lunch Box Notes Personal
Ready-made messages are convenient, but don't underestimate the magic of making a note your own.
You can personalize a printable lunch box note in just a few seconds.
Try adding:
Your child's name
A little heart
A funny doodle
An inside joke
A reminder about something exciting happening that day
A specific compliment
A message about something they have been working hard on
A tiny “P.S. I love you!”
You could even let siblings write notes for one another.
And every once in a while, skip the printable completely and write your own message from scratch.
Those are often the notes children remember.
The point isn't to create a perfect lunch box.
It's to create a small moment of connection. And there is also a blank template included in my resource if that works better for you.
Lunch Box Notes Beyond the Lunch Box
Although they're called lunch box notes, they don't actually have to stay in the lunch box!
These little messages can become simple encouragement tools throughout your child's day.
Other Ways to Use Lunch Box Notes
Try placing a note:
On the bathroom mirror
On their pillow
Inside their backpack
On their desk
Beside their homework
On their bedroom door
Inside a favourite book
On the breakfast table
In a jacket pocket
Beside their computer
You could even create a small “encouragement jar” at home.
Cut out some of the messages and place them in the jar. When your child needs a little boost, they can choose one.
And here's another idea: let your child choose a message for themselves.
That small shift can help children think about what kind of encouragement they need.
Lunch Box Notes for Teachers
Parents aren't the only ones who can use these messages.
Teachers can also use lunch box notes as quick little reminders of encouragement in the classroom.
You don't need a full lesson plan or a complicated activity.
Sometimes a few thoughtful words are enough.
Using Lunch Box Encouragement Notes in the Classroom
Here are a few ways teachers can use them:
1. Morning encouragement
Place a note on a student's desk before they arrive.
Imagine walking into class and finding:
“You are capable of hard things.”
That’s a pretty nice way to start the day.
2. Celebrate effort
Give a note to a student who kept trying even when the work was challenging.
3. Encourage students to try something new
Use a message when a student takes a risk, participates for the first time, or steps outside their comfort zone.
4. Create growth mindset moments
Pair the notes with classroom conversations about:
Mistakes being part of learning
Trying again
Learning from challenges
Persistence
Asking for help
Celebrating progress
5. Create a kindness basket
Put encouraging messages in a basket and invite students to choose one for a classmate.
6. Encourage student-to-student kindness
Give students blank templates and let them create their own encouraging notes for classmates.
This can turn a simple printable into a meaningful SEL activity.
7. Use them before important moments
A note can be especially meaningful before:
A test
A presentation
A performance
A sports event
A challenging assignment
A new school experience
Returning to school after a break
Teachers can also keep a small stack of notes in their desk for those moments when a student simply needs to hear, “I believe in you.”
Lunch Box Notes Printable Free Sample
If you've been looking for a simple way to add more encouragement to your child's day, I hope you'll give these lunch box notes printable pages a try.
I've created a free two-page sample on TPT so you can see the style and try a few of the messages before purchasing the complete bundle.
[GET THE FREE LUNCH BOX NOTES PRINTABLE SAMPLE ON TPT]
The full bundle includes 70+ ready-to-use messages, along with blank templates so you can add your own personal messages too.
Whether you use them in a lunch box, classroom, backpack, bedroom, or somewhere completely unexpected, the goal is the same:
Give children little reminders that they are loved, capable, and still growing.
A Little Note, A Big Message
Children don't always need a big speech.
Sometimes they just need a few words.
“Keep going.”
“I believe in you.”
“Mistakes help us learn.”
“Be brave and try.”
“You don't have to be perfect.”
“I'm proud of your effort.”
A message that takes thirty seconds to choose might stay with a child for much longer.
And you don't have to do it every day.
You don't have to make it Pinterest-perfect.
You don't even have to write something clever.
Just let the message say what you sometimes don't get the chance to say during a busy morning:
I'm thinking about you.I believe in you.You've got this.
Because sometimes, the smallest messages carry the biggest encouragement. ❤️
Hi, I’m Rashda, teacher, speaker, author, and big believer in helping kids think big! When I’m not in the classroom, you’ll find me writing, baking, or chasing growth mindset moments with my three kids.
Comments