School trips with coeliac disease: how your child can join in and eat well

Day trips, outings, and residential school trips. For parents of a child with coeliac disease, these can be a big source of worry. Does my child have to stay at home? No. With a bit of planning, they can join in and eat well. The key is one word: beforehand.

The most important rule: sort it out before you book, not after

A child missing out on a trip because of food is a real disadvantage, and it’s one that can almost always be avoided. As soon as a trip is announced, sort out the food arrangements before it’s booked. This gives everyone time to find a good solution, rather than a last-minute fix on departure day.

Day trips & outings

• Sending a packed lunch is often the easiest option. A cool bag with an ice pack will keep gluten-free sandwiches, fruit, vegetable sticks, and cheese fresh, with no need for a fridge.
• An insulated food flask can turn leftovers from the night before into a hot lunch like pasta, a stew, or a rice dish. Warm the flask with boiling water first, then fill it with the hot food and seal it tightly.
• For the journey, pack a few pre-packaged gluten-free snacks in their original wrapping, just in case plans change or things are delayed.
• If the group stops to eat somewhere, you’ll need to check the ingredients list or get clear information from the kitchen. If there’s any doubt, your child should eat the food you’ve packed for them.

Residential school trips

This is where contacting the accommodation provider early really pays off. Discuss the following with the teacher and the venue:

• Can the kitchen prepare gluten-free meals? How do they manage cross-contamination (e.g. a separate area, dedicated utensils, preparing the gluten-free meal first)? Who will make sure the right plate of food gets to your child?
• If the kitchen cannot provide meals: is there a self-catering option, a fridge or freezer for food you bring, or can you buy supplies nearby? Bringing a supply of frozen, pre-portioned meals is often the most practical solution.
• Remember to plan for snacks and day outings during the trip, not just the main meals.
• Give the supervising teacher a short written summary of what your child can and cannot eat, and what to do if they are glutened. Our free info sheet is perfect for this.

Helping your child join in, not stand out

Talk to your child beforehand about how to respond if someone offers them food they can’t eat. A calm, “No thank you, I’ve brought my own” works well. And wherever you can, plan for them to eat the same as everyone else, just with a few extra arrangements. For example, their own gluten-free portion at a barbecue or pizza night.

Further reading

This page is part of our complete guide to coeliac disease at school. For information on reasonable adjustments for catering (including on trips), see Reasonable Adjustments & School Meals. For packed lunch ideas, see our Ideas for the gluten-free lunch box. For carers and staff, we have a free info sheet.

Our guidance is based on the Codex Alimentarius threshold (20 mg/kg), AOECS Standards, and the German Coeliac Society (DZG). For any medical questions, please speak to your paediatrician or GP.