Ideas for School-Packed Lunches
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Are you tired of the daily lunchbox dilemma? Is your picky eater refusing all the usual favorites? Are you looking for easy lunch ideas for kids? As a pediatric dietitian and mom of three, the struggle of trying to pack a nutritious meal that your kids will actually eat is one I know all too well.
Packing lunch can sometimes feel like a never-ending attempt to adapt to your child’s changing tastes, so I've compiled a list of easy lunch ideas for kids, toddlers, and teens to help you feed even the pickiest eaters.
From kids' bento box ideas to healthy packaged snacks, there is something for everyone Let's check them out!
How to Pack a Healthy Lunch for Kids
A well-balanced lunch ideally consists of foods from multiple food groups, and includes a protein food (e.g., chicken, turkey, tofu, beans, eggs), a whole grain food (e.g., whole wheat bread, brown rice, quinoa), a fruit and/or vegetable, and a source of healthy fats (e.g., avocado, nuts, olive oil).
Including more whole, minimally processed foods and fewer heavily processed options tends to result in meals that are richer in nutrients and lower in artificial additives and preservatives, so wherever you can, build whole foods into packed school lunches.
Encourage your child to drink water throughout the day by packing a water bottle*, and avoid packing sugar-sweetened beverages like Prime and Celsius, to help keep added sugar intake low.
Keep lunches cool using an insulated lunch box and include an ice pack to keep perishable items fresh until lunchtime. I like using 2 ice packs (one on the bottom of the bag and one toward the top) to help make sure that cold food stays cold. You can also use a thermos* if needed, to help keep foods warm.
Check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite kid's lunch boxes*.
30 Easy Ideas for School Lunches
As a registered dietitian who also gets tired of eating the same thing every day, I know how important it can be to try and break up the normal lunch routine. Two of my kids tire quickly of eating the same thing more than a couple of days in a row, so I like having lists of packed school lunch ideas on hand for days when I can’t come up with anything. Check out the list below for 30 easy lunch box ideas for kids and teens.
Bento Box Brilliance
Bento boxes* aren't just visually appealing; they're also a fantastic way to pack a variety of foods that appeal to kids. Fill compartments with a well-balanced mix of fruits, veggies, proteins, healthy fats, and carbohydrates. Some of my favorite bento box lunch box ideas for kids include:
Mediterranean: Fill with sliced cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, sliced olives, hummus, and pita.
Asian: Baked sesame tofu bites (make for dinner the night before and use leftovers in lunches) or sushi rolls, steamed edamame, orange slices, and carrot sticks.
Classic Turkey and Cheese: Add cheese cubes, whole grain crackers, slices of turkey, a side of sliced grapes, and bell pepper strips.
Mexican: Guacamole, black bean/cheese quesadilla, and cooked corn.
Breakfast for Lunch: Waffle bites or mini pancakes, nut butter*, and berries.
**TOP TIP**: Kids love to have a “treat” packed with the rest of their foods because it gives them the autonomy to choose to eat it when they would like to (as opposed to after a meal); so go ahead and add a few chocolate chips, yogurt-covered pretzels, a homemade dessert bar or cookie to keep things exciting, avoid restriction, and help lessen fixations on sugar and treat foods.
Wrap It Up
Wraps are a versatile and convenient option for school lunches. Use whole wheat or spinach tortillas for extra fiber, and fill them with your child's favorite ingredients. Roll them up tightly and slice them into bite-sized pieces for easy eating.
Some popular combinations are:
Ham and cheese - top with lettuce, tomato, and mayo
Hummus (or Baba ganoush) and roasted or raw veggies
Peanut butter, banana, and jam (**bonus points for using a chia seed jam for extra healthy fat, protein and fiber)
Breakfast burrito style - with scrambled eggs, black beans, and salsa; or wrap up a slice of frittata in a tortilla
Crispy Tofu with crunchy cabbage slaw
Pasta Protein Power
Kids need protein to keep them fueled and focused throughout the school day. Pack a cool pasta salad or tasty casserole with different protein options such as tofu, hard-boiled eggs, chickpeas, grilled chicken, or cheese to add a protein-packed punch to their lunch. I’ve listed a few favorites below that you can make for dinner the night before and then pack up the leftovers for lunch:
Mediterranean Pasta Salad (**bonus points for using a chickpea pasta like Banza* or quinoa-based pasta* for extra fiber)
Plant-Based Nourish Bowls or Sesame Tofu Spring Bowl
Soup Specials
Go ahead and invest in a sturdy thermos* to keep these soups warm until lunchtime. My middle daughter has always preferred a hot lunch and was always excited to open up a thermos of homemade soup at school (especially on cold days!)
Wholitarian Super Bowl Chili - A healthier take on a classic bowl of chili.
Lemon Tahini Lentil Soup - A vegan, gluten-free, nutrient-packed soup brimming with flavor.
Vegetable Kidney Bean Stew - A tasty vegetable-packed, hearty stew.
Avgolemono - This delicious lemony soup is full of protein to keep bellies full all day.
Chicken Noodle Soup - Can’t lose with chicken noodle soup!
Build Your Own Taco
Pack all the ingredients in separate containers* and let your child build their tacos once they are at school.
Traditional Mexican - Slow-cooked* chicken with green salsa with lettuce, tomato, and shredded cheese.
Cauliflower Tacos with Herbed Crema - This tasty crema is an easy way to elevate an even seemingly basic taco.
Ginger Garlic Lettuce Wrap - This one is a bit of a non-traditional taco but still taco-ish - and delicious!
Spicy Salmon Tacos - If your child is sensitive to spice, you can swap out the Cajun seasoning for chili powder or taco seasoning.
Vegetarian - Refried beans or black beans with lime cabbage slaw, Cotija cheese, and avocado.
DIY Pizza Lunchable
Look for a whole wheat English muffin or bagel, or use premade Naan or pita bread, to serve as the pizza crust, then pack toppings for your child to add once at school. Don’t forget to pack the sauce!
Traditional - Pepperoni and mozzarella cheese with marinara sauce.
Pesto - with portobello mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese.
BBQ Chicken - BBQ sauce, grilled chicken, red onions, and bell peppers with gouda cheese.
Greek Veggie - Hummus with roasted veggies and feta cheese.
Pizza Ramekins with Quinoa Crust - If you think your child may do better with a premade pizza, this yummy healthier twist on the traditional pizza is a great option too.
School Lunch Ideas for Picky Eaters
This topic is so near and dear to me that I have a whole post dedicated to packed lunches for picky eaters. Check it out if you are struggling with lunch box ideas for picky eaters too. The key to packing lunches for picky eaters is to involve your child in the meal planning and packing process as much as possible, giving them choices from a limited set of options that you choose.
Letting them select their own healthy options helps increase the likelihood that they’ll eat and enjoy their lunch. Along with any foods that your child is still learning to like, include 1-2 “safe foods” or foods you know your child will eat and enjoy.
Experiment with different textures, flavors, combinations, and presentations to make lunch appealing to your child. If you have the bandwidth, cut fruits and vegetables into fun shapes using cookie cutters and offer them with cute food picks* or kids' chopsticks*.
Healthy Packaged Snacks for Kids
Maybe it’s just one of those days when you don’t have time to prep and need to pack a lunchbox brimming with prepackaged goods. Maybe packaged foods are all your child will currently eat. It’s ok! Packaged foods can provide nutrition too, and they definitely make it easier to come up with easy kids' lunch box ideas.
Do your best to provide variety and include as much balance as you can by pairing a protein with a fruit/vegetable and whole grain carbohydrate. For easy, cold lunch ideas for kids that are balanced, include at least one from each of the below:
Proteins:
Individual Bags of Trailmix*
Cheese sticks
Individual sized Hummus or Nut butter packs
Meat Stick like Chomps
Hard-boiled egg
Roasted edamame
Greek yogurt cup
Chia seed pudding pouch
Fruit/Vegetables:
Apples, Clementines, and Bananas
Applesauce pouch
Individual Size Guacamole Cups
Raisin boxes
Dried fruit
Sliced cucumber
Snack-size bags of baby carrots
Whole Grain Carbohydrates:
Popcorn (age 4 and up)
Whole grain tortilla Chips
Rice cakes
Whole wheat pita wedges
**TOP TIP**: If you are looking for a list of gluten-free quick lunch ideas for kids, check out this post.
Ideas for School-Packed Lunches for Toddlers
Packing a nutritious and appealing lunch for toddlers can sometimes be a challenge, especially when they have specific tastes and preferences. Many of the lunch ideas above can be tailored towards smaller children by cutting them into smaller pieces and avoiding common choke foods.
Offering a variety of foods and presenting them in a fun and appealing way can help make mealtime enjoyable for your little one. Here are some school-packed lunch ideas for toddlers:
1. Mini Sandwiches: Make small sandwiches using whole grain bread, mini pita breads, or mini naan breads plus fillings such as thinly sliced turkey or chicken, cheese, hummus, or mashed avocado. If you have the bandwidth, cut the sandwiches into fun shapes using cookie cutters to make them more appealing to toddlers.
2. Quesadilla Triangles: Prepare mini quesadillas using whole wheat tortillas and fillings like shredded cheese, cooked chicken or turkey, and diced veggies. Cut the quesadillas into small triangles for easy handling and pack them in a lunchbox with some salsa or guacamole for dipping.
3. Yogurt Parfait: Layer plain or flavored yogurt with fresh fruit such as berries, sliced bananas, or diced peaches in a small container. Top with a sprinkle of granola or hemp seeds.
4. Mini Muffins: Bake a batch of these tasty Pumpkin muffins or Blueberry muffins using a mini muffin tin, making them perfect for little hands and a great addition to any toddler's lunchbox. Include apple slices and a hard-boiled egg for balance.
5. Homemade Snack Mix: Create your own snack mix by combining pretzel sticks, raisins*, and dry cereal* in a reusable zip-top bag. Include a yogurt tube and some sliced cucumber for balance.
6. Dips: Include a dip such as hummus, Cashew dip, Artichoke Dip, or guacamole, along with sliced veggies or crackers for dipping. Toddlers love the interactive aspect of dipping, and it's a great way to encourage them to eat more fruits and vegetables.
7. Fruit and Cheese Kabobs: Thread chunks of fruit such as strawberries, pineapple, sliced grapes, and melon onto small skewers to create colorful fun-to-eat fruit kabobs. Add fresh mozzarella balls or sliced cheese sticks for extra protein.
Packing a nutritious and delicious school lunch takes patience and planning, but it doesn't always have to feel like a chore. With these easy lunch box ideas for kids, you can simplify your morning routine while ensuring your children are well-fed and ready to tackle the day ahead.
If you are looking for more lunch-packing inspiration, feel free to grab my e-guide for 8 Kid-Friendly Lunches. For more tips on feeding picky eaters, check out my FREE guide to reducing picky eating or enroll in my online course, Solve Picky Eating, which includes 12 self-paced short video lessons, downloadable guides, and checklists to support you along your journey of navigating picky eating.
And if you're looking for personalized nutrition support, I am also available for a virtual one-on-one consultation. Happy packing!