(BPT) - Waking up can be a whirlwind of activity, from making breakfast and packing lunches to getting everyone out the door on time. Luckily, finding a moment to prepare a delicious and healthy lunch for your kids without sacrificing precious sleep is easier than you think.

With a few simple strategies, you can transform lunch-packing from a last-minute chore into an easy routine. Here's how to get ahead of the morning rush and start your day feeling calm, organized, and ready for anything.

1. Pick lunch themes for faster decisions

Boost your creativity and simplify meal prep by choosing a weekly theme like "Taco Tuesday," "Breakfast for Lunch," or "Italian Favorites." Once you have a theme, it's easier to choose ingredients, prep in batches, and avoid the morning "What should I pack?" scramble. Kids also love the fun twist, making them more likely to eat what you send.

2. Build your own lunch station, and let your kids pick their weekly lineup

During your weekly meal prep, slice and wash fruits and veggies, prep sandwiches, and portion snacks into easy grab-and-go servings. By getting the work done ahead of time, weekday mornings become a breeze - just hand your kids their lunchboxes and let them choose their favorites.

Store items in Hefty^® Slider Bags to help them stay fresh. The easy-to-use slider is perfect for independent eaters to open and close on their own at school. Plus, the expandable bottom makes filling easier, and the secure Clicks Closed seal lets you know it's shut tight.

3. Freeze drinks to keep food cool

Freeze a juice box or water bottle the night before to double as a lunchbox ice pack. By lunchtime, it will be perfectly chilled and ready to drink while keeping the rest of the meal fresh. You can also freeze foods like PB&J sandwiches, muffins, or yogurt tubes to help keep lunch cool and make meal prep even easier.

4. Lean into leftovers

Leftovers aren't just for Friday night dinners. You can easily pack leftovers for lunch! For busy parents, leaning into leftovers can be a huge time saver and a simple way to ensure your child is eating a healthy, nutritious meal. Plus, you'll save on food waste, helping you save money on your grocery bill.

As soon as dinner is over, pack your leftovers into Hefty Slider Bags, so you don't have to worry about portioning food out later.

5. Fill up the freezer with frozen meals

During your weekly meal prep, consider making frozen meals for lunch (or even dinner). You can cook multiple dishes in bulk, like breakfast sandwiches, pizza bagels, and taco meat, then freeze them for quick, ready-to-go meals. You'll have plenty of lunch options, and your kids can even choose which ones they'd like to eat the most.

Once you're done cooking, store the meals in a large, resealable bag like Hefty's Gallon sized Freezer Slider Bags. It clicks closed to help keep your food fresh and secure.

Pro tip: Keep some large slider bags on hand. These Hefty Jumbo Storage Slider Bags are perfect for anything life throws at you, from muddy jerseys and sparkly art projects to family-sized snack mixes.

Are you ready for an easier school year? Using these simple tips, you can save time, money and streamline your morning for a positive start to your day.