5 Tips to Support Fussy and Sensory Eaters with School Lunch and Snack Times

For many families, school lunch and snack times can be one of the most stressful parts of the school day. If your child is a fussy eater, picky eater, or sensory eater, you’re not alone—and it’s not just about being “fussy.”

As a children’s occupational therapist, I often see children who find eating at school difficult because of sensory processing challenges, motor skill difficulties, or environmental overwhelm.

Whether your child eats a packed lunch or joins the canteen line, the experience can feel very different for them compared to home. The good news? With the right strategies, we can make mealtimes less stressful and more successful.

Here are five key tips to support children with school lunches and snacks:

1. Manage the Sensory Environment

Canteens can be noisy, crowded, and filled with strong smells—all of which can overwhelm a sensory-sensitive child. Even children with packed lunches may struggle with the unpredictability of where they sit or the short time to eat.

✅ Tip: Talk to school staff about small adjustments, such as letting your child sit in a quieter space, sitting beside a window to reduce strong smells or giving them a few extra time to regulate before eating.

2. Pack Familiar and Safe Foods

Children who are sensory eaters often rely on foods that feel predictable in texture, taste, and smell. Having familiar foods at school reduces stress and makes it more likely they’ll eat enough to keep their energy up.

✅ Tip: Build your child’s lunchbox around their safe foods, and slowly introduce small opportunities for variety—such as a new fruit cut the same way as their favourite, or a familiar food in a different shape.

3. Support Independence with Motor Skills

Eating at school isn’t just about the food—it’s also about the practical skills involved. Opening packets, peeling fruit, and managing cutlery can be exhausting for children with fine motor, gross motor, or core strength challenges.

✅ Tip: Practise lunch routines at home—opening containers, peeling fruit, and cutting food. Choose lunchboxes with easy-to-open clips and send food in manageable portions to reduce frustration.

4. Include Sensory Regulation Before Eating

If a child is dysregulated—too overwhelmed, overstimulated, or under-alert—they may find it almost impossible to sit, eat, and focus.

✅ Tip: Ask your child’s teacher if they can have a short sensory break before eating. This could include movement (jumping, stretching, walking) or calming input (deep pressure like squeezing a stress ball). Preparing their body helps them cope better with the demands of eating.

5. Work with the School as a Team

Teachers and lunchtime staff may not realise the sensory or motor challenges your child is facing. Open communication helps create a shared plan that reduces stress for your child.

✅ Tip: Share simple information, such as:

• Which foods are “safe” and reliable.

• Where your child feels comfortable sitting.

• Signs your child is getting overwhelmed.

The more consistent support is, the more confident your child will feel.

Final Thoughts: Helping Picky and Sensory Eaters Thrive at School

School meals can be a big hurdle for children who are fussy, picky, or sensory eaters, but with the right strategies, children can feel safer, calmer, and more successful at mealtimes. Remember: progress is about small steps, not sudden changes.

If you’d like to explore why your child might be struggling with food and want comprehensive support for picky or sensory eating, our Online Sensory Eaters Programme may be the next step for you. This programme was created in collaboration with Dr. Kirsty Porter, Children’s Dietitian, and brings together both nutritional expertise and occupational therapy strategies to support happier, less stressful mealtimes.