Creating a delicious and tasty school lunch doesn’t have to be difficult. In this post, I’ll give you some easy lunch ideas you can use at home with your kids!
Try out the tips below to help make packing your child’s school lunch a breeze!
Get the kids involved
Let the kids choose what they’d like to have as a snack included in the lunch box. The simplest and most efficient way to do this is to set up a basket containing prepackaged snacks that you know your kids will enjoy. Snacks can be store-bought if you wish but the most inexpensive way to do this is to package snacks individually yourself from a larger quantity.
Kids love to be able to feel involved and this will help prevent kids from getting bored of having the same snacks at lunch every day. If you allow your child to choose some of their own lunch items you will be less likely to have as many leftover uneaten items.
Make it Fun!
Making your child’s lunch exciting each day doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming.
Here are a few ways to make it fun:
- Add a surprise note or joke in their lunch box as a surprise for your child.
- Cut meats and cheeses or other items into fun shapes using cookie cutters.
- You can even use a large cookie cutter to make custom shapes for your child’s sandwiches.
Never underestimate the power of fun shaped food! 🙂
Prep in Bulk
If there are certain foods that you know you child enjoys try preparing them in bulk and freezing then in individual portions. Place the item in the fridge to thaw out the night before. You can try this with a different variety of foods your kids enjoy.
Repurpose Leftovers
Consider making a roast chicken for dinner one night and then use the leftover meat in sandwiches or chicken quesadillas.
Keep it Cool
Freeze you child’s juice box or drink and it will double as an ice pack for their lunch bag. The juice box should be thawed and ready to drink by lunch time.
You might enjoy these ideas:
Easy Lunch Ideas!
Below are some ideas on items you can add to your kids school lunches.
Snacks
Fruit and veggies with dip (baby carrots, etc.)
Pita chips with dip/hummus
Crackers and cheese
Apples, Oranges, grapes, etc.
Banana with peanut butter
Celery with peanut butter and raisins
Crackers or veggies with hummus
String cheese
Main
Quesadillas
Mini pizzas
Grilled cheese sandwich
Classic peanut butter and jelly
Veggie Wrap or roll ups
Leftovers
Soup in a thermos
Chicken strips/nuggets
Burritos
Ham/turkey, cheese and lettuce wraps
Pinwheels (meat and cheese rolled up in tortilla and sliced into small circles)
Homemade “Lunchables”
Macaroni and cheese
Tacos – provide the ingredients and let the kids put them together
Sides
Any variety of salad
Pasta salad
Potato salad
Granola bars
Berries
Rice with veggies
Chickpea salad
Desserts
Yogurt
Slice of banana bread
Fruit parfait
Cookies
Here are also recipes that you might want to check out!
Homemade Alphabet Vegetable Soup
This alphabet vegetable soup recipe is simple, homemade, and oh-so-satisfying. It freezes beautifully and stays fresh for lunch throughout the week. Feel free to add your favorite spices and use the veggies your kids love most. While alphabet pasta adds a fun touch, any small-shaped pasta will do the trick!
Rainbow Veggie Wraps
These tempeh rainbow veggie wraps are not only beautiful but also equally delicious and healthy! They’re a fun activity for the whole family and will amaze your taste buds with sesame, ginger, and lime flavors. These wraps shine brightly on a school lunch.
Pepperoni Pizza Rolls
These easy pepperoni pizza rolls are crispy on the bottom, soft and chewy inside, and loaded with pepperoni and cheese, baked to perfection. Enjoy them with marinara sauce or your favorite pizza sauce for dipping. They’re a school favorite and a hit with crowds, so you should double the batch because they’ll vanish in no time!
Chicken Quesadillas
Chicken quesadillas are perfect for a school lunch meal, packed with veggies, meat, and plenty of cheese that kids adore. Plus, they’re ready in just 20 minutes! This recipe bursts with fresh flavors, vibrant vegetables, and a deliciously gooey cheesy bite.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Sandwich
This strawberry cream cheese sandwich recipe is a delightful combination of sweet and creamy flavors nestled between slices of soft bread. With its simple assembly and fresh ingredients like ripe strawberries and creamy cheese, it’s an easy yet satisfying snack or lunch option for school.
Grilled Cheese Roll-ups
Delicious grilled cheese roll-ups put a fun spin on the classic grilled cheese sandwich and are sure to be a hit with everyone! Cheese is rolled up inside plain bread and then pan-fried in a bit of butter. The cheese melts to perfection while the bread turns crispy on the outside. What’s not to love?
Baked Eggs in Muffin Tin
When you need to whip up a batch of eggs that can double as an easy school lunch, this recipe is the absolute best! It’s a simple and speedy way to create wonderfully creamy eggs that kids love, and they’re perfect for enjoying as leftovers too!
No Bake Energy Bites
These no-bake energy bites are a perfect combination of wholesome ingredients like oats, peanut butter, and honey, offering a quick and nutritious lunch option. With just a few minutes of preparation and no need for baking, they’re a convenient choice for a school lunch idea.
Mashed Chickpea Salad Sandwich
This mashed chickpea salad sandwich recipe offers flavorful and satisfying plant-based sandwiches. With its blend of mashed chickpeas, crunchy vegetables, and creamy dressing, it provides a deliciously hearty and nutritious school lunch. This sandwich is packed with protein and fiber for a satisfying and wholesome bite.
Chicken Club Pasta Salad
In just 20 minutes, whip up this simple chicken club pasta salad that is both easy and incredibly tasty! Packed with juicy chicken, crispy bacon, savory cheddar, and fresh tomatoes, it’s all mixed with perfectly cooked pasta and creamy, irresistibly delicious ranch dressing!
Stovetop White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
Indulge in this 20-Minute stovetop white cheddar mac and cheese—nearly as quick and simple as using a box mix, but with a flavor that’s a million times better! It’s incredibly creamy and outrageously cheesy, and the extra sharp white cheddar cheese adds an explosion of flavor to every bite!
Taco Salad
Taco salad is a timeless recipe that’s a must-know for everyone. This version is fast, flavorful, and filling, making it a breeze to prepare and a school lunch that pleases everyone! It’s proof that you don’t need much to create a satisfying meal. Keep this simple salad recipe in your back pocket—it’s one you’ll want to make over and over again!
Chicken Nuggets
Chicken nuggets are a go-to freezer item in many households, especially those with kids! But did you know it’s easy and delicious to make your own at home? Whip up a batch of homemade baked chicken nuggets that you can quickly pop into the air fryer or oven for a healthy protein boost in school lunches.
Cheesy Pumpkin Puffs
This recipe for cheesy pumpkin puffs combines creamy pumpkin puree with cheesy goodness in a delightful puff form. With its simple ingredients and preparation, it’s an easy and satisfying school lunch idea. These pumpkin puffs are sure to be a hit!
Spaghetti and Meatballs
This spaghetti and meatballs recipe features homemade meatballs simmered in a rich marinara sauce, served over perfectly cooked spaghetti noodles for a classic Italian comfort dish. With its blend of flavorful herbs and spices, it offers a hearty and satisfying school lunch idea.
I hope you enjoyed this post and that it will help you make packing your kids school lunches less of a stress! 🙂
Do you have any tricks that you use to make packing lunches less of a hassle?
I’d love to hear from you so please leave a comment in the comment section below!
