Turkey and Cream Cheese Spread Bento for Kids

Ingredients

• Cream Cheese Penguins:
• 10 round carrot slices, 1/4-inch thick
• 10 jumbo pitted black olives
• ½ (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 10 toothpicks
• Party Vegetable Sandwich Spread:
• 2 tablespoons shredded carrot
• 2 teaspoons minced onion
• 2 teaspoons chopped pimento peppers
• 2 teaspoons chopped celery
• 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ¾ teaspoon mayonnaise
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 green apple, sliced
• ½ carrot, sliced into rounds
• 6 thin slices cucumber, sliced lengthwise into wide ribbons
• 6 slices tomato, cut in half
• 8 round crackers
• ½ cup grapes, divided
• 8 slices deli turkey breast

Step 1

Start by carefully slicing each jumbo olive lengthwise, just enough to open it up. Spoon about a teaspoon of cream cheese inside to create a little “penguin belly.” For the feet, cut small triangle notches out of carrot rounds, and press a matching small olive piece into the slit on each olive to make a beak. Then, thread a toothpick through the olive lengthwise and anchor it into a carrot slice so the belly lines up with the feet. Top each little penguin with a small olive as the head, facing forward, and set them aside in the fridge.

Step 2

Mix shredded carrot, chopped onion, pimento peppers, and celery in a bowl. In another bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, lemon juice, mayo, and a pinch of salt until smooth and fluffy. Fold the veggie mix into the cream cheese blend and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour to let the flavors meld.

Step 3

Toss green and red apple slices with some lemon juice to keep them fresh and prevent browning. Use vegetable cutters to shape carrot rounds into fun designs, then wrap them in a damp paper towel and store in a plastic bag in the fridge until you’re ready to pack.

Step 4

Pat cucumber slices dry, then place a half-slice of tomato at one end and roll them up, securing each with a toothpick. When it’s time to assemble, arrange half of the carrot shapes in the bento box, add half the cream cheese spread in a small cup, and include some crackers. Layer in the apple slices, grapes, the cream cheese penguins, turkey slices, and cucumber-tomato rolls. Use the remaining ingredients to fill a second box. Keep everything chilled until it’s time to enjoy!