DIY “Safe Food” Bento Boxes – Free Printable Templates

A vibrant safe foods lunchbox featuring a variety of snacks including fresh berries, sliced strawberries, crunchy crackers, fruit-filled rolls, and creamy yogurt, perfectly packed for a balanced and colorful meal.

Why visuals calm the lunchbox battle

Children with limited food repertoires rely on predictability. A printable bento grid offers clear boundaries: this square = safe food, that circle = new nibble.

How the template works

• Four shapes, four rules (laminate and tick with whiteboard marker):

  1. Square – Safe protein (e.g. cheese cubes).

  2. Circle – Safe carb (rice crackers).

  3. Triangle – Possible-food (tiny portion of something similar).

  4. Star – Novel-food (micro taste, spitting allowed).

Attach the sheet on the wall & kids tick each shape as they pack.

Instructions:

1. Pack or draw each food into its matching shape. 2. Tick the shape once packed. (Spitting allowed for the star)

Step-by-step set-up

1. Print A4 size, laminate, punch a top corner hole.

2. Thread an elastic loop to clip onto any zipper.

3. Provide a mini whiteboard marker on a cord.

Teaching the system

• Modelling session: Pack your own lunch with the template first.

• Choice boards: Give a picture menu for each shape so the child chooses, not you.

• Celebrate progress: Photo each completed bento; add to a “Food Explorer” wall at home.

Troubleshooting

• Refusal of the Star square? Shrink the portion to a grain of rice—exposure still counts.

• Texture clash fears? Use silicone dividers or mini patty pans so foods never touch.

Link to download

👉 Click here to get the free Canva/PDF template (insert internal link to resource page).