Not all of us have the freezer space for bulky ice packs. Dampen a clean sponge (one you haven’t used yet!), then freeze it overnight in a reusable food storage bag. The next day, put it in the bottom of a lunch box or bag for a DIY ice pack. You can do the same with a water bottle by freezing it overnight and storing it in a lunch box.

Insulated food storage containers are great for keeping food warm, such as soup. They’re also good for keeping food like fruit, yoghurt and apple purée cold.

Toss sliced apple, peaches, apricots or pear in water or a little lemon juice to prevent browning. Pop the fruit in resealable airtight bags in the fridge to chill before packing into lunch boxes.

An insulated lunch bag goes a long way in keeping food fresh. They’re easy to clean (simply wet and wipe), and ensure your kid’s delicious food stays fresh and cool. Put an empty lunch bag in the freezer the night before filling it to help lunch stay colder for even longer.

Pack a lunch box with frozen ice blocks or bricks to keep it cool. Have different shapes and sizes to fit any type of lunch box. Frozen water bottles or juice boxes can also do the trick, keeping a lunch box cold while becoming a refreshing drink when melted. This method can dampen the inside of the lunch box though, so ensure all lunch contents are wrapped well, or are in containers to avoid mushy food.

Not everything has to be kept cool. You won’t need iceblocks for whole fruits, vegetables, canned fish, bread, crackers and some spreads.

Putting frozen food items into your child’s lunch box allows the food to slowly thaw over a couple of hours, just in time for lunch. Pack with a frozen iceblock to ensure a slow and safe defrost before eating.