# Animated Lunch Making school meals more stimulating, cartoon aesthetics add allure to the ordinary. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published Mar 27, 2014 | Category: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/life-stages) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/animated-lunch ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.9/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Animated Lunch trend? **Animated Lunch:** While bringing homemade lunches to school is definitely a cost-effective solution for parents, persuading children to eat those lunches within a society dominated by fast food can be challenging. As a method to add more allure to ordinary school meals, consumers are turning to youthful cartoon aesthetics to add visual references that kids can easily identify and relate to. Lunches transformed into Sci-Fi or video game characters help revamp mundane meals into stimulating references, reflecting the need for more age-appropriate methods of enticement. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Jun 23, 2013 to Oct 26, 2015 - Published: Mar 27, 2014 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Gamification](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/gamification), [Youthfulness](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/youthfulness), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Gen Z - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Animated Lunch trend ### Cartoon Aesthetics Consumers are turning to youthful cartoon aesthetics to add visual references that kids can easily identify and relate to, reflecting the need for more age-appropriate methods of enticement. ### Edible Art Creating edible art is a unique opportunity to combine fun with healthy eating habits. ### Healthy Alternatives Creating healthy alternatives to popular foods marketed to kids is not only great for their physical health, but it also opens up an avenue for creativity and artistry in food packaging and presentation. ## What the Animated Lunch trend means for industry ### For Food Packaging The use of cartoon aesthetics and illustrated designs in food packaging and product labeling can increase sales and make products more appealing to younger audiences. ### For Art Education Incorporating art into daily habits such as preparing healthy lunch boxes can serve as an opportunity for kids to develop their creativity and artistic skills. ### For E-Commerce Healthy food boxes could revolutionize the way busy parents shop for meals. Online retailers could provide customizable healthy food services that make healthy eating not only convenient but also exciting for kids. ## Trend signals for Animated Lunch Trend score 3.9 out of 10, from popularity 56%, activity 52%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 56% - Activity: 52% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Animated Lunch trend 5 featured examples from Jun 23, 2013 to Oct 26, 2015. - [Heroic Paper Bag Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paper-bag-art): Brian Dunn's Lunch Bag Illustrations Reference Iconic Characters (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Opportunity for art supply companies to market and promote paper bags as an innovative medium for artists. - [Adorable Veggie Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegetarian-food-package): These Vegetarian Food Packages for Kids Makes Meat-Free Options Friendly (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The food packaging industry can explore designing packages that cater to children, using appealing illustrations and transparent elements to promote vegetarian food products. - [Brown Paper Bag Cartoons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lunch-bag-drawings): Christy Kilgore's Lunch Bag Drawings Feature Cute Pop Culture Characters (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: The graphic design industry can explore new opportunities by incorporating illustrations and artwork into everyday products like lunch bags. - [Sci-Fi Character Lunches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/disposable-aardvarks-inc): Disposable Aardvarks Inc. Created This Star Wars Character from Soba Nood (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: There is an opportunity for food service companies to create and market creative and healthy lunches for schools and workplaces. - [Anime Bento Lunches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/homemade-bento): These Homemade Bento Boxes Turn Pop Culture Characters into Food (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity to offer pre-packaged bento boxes with character-inspired meals for kids. ## Recent trend clusters - [Constructible Franchises](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/constructible-franchises) (Life-Stages) - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Life-Stages - [Retro Graphic Tees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nostalgic-graphic-tees) - [Screen-Free Kids Phones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/screen-free-kids-phones) - [Edible Oil-Based Lubes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coco-lube) - [Women's Health-Focused Probiotic Supplements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/womens-health-probiotic-capsules) All articles: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages)