If you have to make lunchboxes everyday, sandwiches can become a boring chore, but these quick and easy, portable meals are an essential slice of summer. Rediscover the simple sandwich and perhaps create your own family's signature sandwich with the children.

Has your family tried these sandwich combinations?

Coleslaw + chicken

Vegetable pate + cheese + lettuce

Marmite + lettuce + cucumber

Cheese + apple slices + pickle

Peanut butter + banana + raisins

Cream cheese + gooseberry jam

Ham + avocado + cheese

For toddlers make sure the bread is soft and easily swallowed and that they are able to hold and eat the sandwich easily on their own.

Older children will love to help to make their own sandwiches and keeping the ingredients easy to spread will make the job go smoothly. Cream cheese, peanut butter (not to be used if your child has a nut allergy!) and vegetable pates are all good healthy options that are easy to spread and cut. This age group will enjoy using shaped cutters to create shaped sandwiches – and is also a great opportunity to add a little maths fun to an everyday activity too by talking about shapes and even fractions as you help your child.

If your child enjoys spending time with you in the kitchen, encourage them to experiment with different filling ideas. Try different breads from around the world eg: bagels, pumpernickel or baguette and see if they know which countries they come from. Have fun creating your own family’s signature sandwich together! 

Save the salad stuff (carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, sweet pepper sticks and cucumber slices) for healthy finger-food to eat with the sandwich, much easier for little fingers to nibble on and a fun way to talk about colours too!