20+ Easy Packed Lunch Ideas for Kids
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I’ve been packing school lunches for almost 15 years now. Probably like you, I’m constantly trying to find packed lunch ideas for kids that are made with real foods and items that they will actually eat and enjoy. In this post you’ll find motivation along with 20 easy, healthy lunchbox ideas for kids.
Why Pack Lunches for Kids?
Needing a little extra motivation to pack your kiddos lunch for school? Consider these benefits:
- You’ll know what’s in their food. Starting with the obvious here. While not having to prep your child’s lunch sounds tempting, knowing exactly what’s in their food is important. This is especially true if your child has any allergies or health concerns.
- They will have more time to enjoy their lunch. School lunches go FAST. If your kiddo has to use a good chunk of their time to stand in line, even more of that time is used up resulting in having to scarf down their food and not enjoy the academic break.
- You can see what they are actually eating.. This feels especially important when they are little. On the days they eat school lunch, I have no idea if they actually ate a protein or any produce.
- More variety. The options are endless when you’re doing the shopping and packing. Not so much when they are eating in the cafeteria.
What Kind of Lunch Box or Bento Box Should I Buy?
We’ve curated some of the best lunch boxes and Bento boxes on Amazon to make lunch prep easy. From your smallest or your biggest eaters, we found boxes that work for all ages and genders.
The Bento boxes, especially, have been a big game changer for our family, when it comes to making lunch packing simple and healthy. Even my kids can pack their own healthy lunches now.
20 Packed Lunch Ideas for Kids
1. Make-Your-Own Lunchable
Making your own lunchable is so easy that your kids can do it. Plus, it’s much healthier when you control the components that go in. Here’s all your need to include in your pack or one of our recommended Bento Boxes.
- Summer Sausage – Look for organic or all natural.
- Uncured Turkey Pepperoni – Delicious and free from preservatives. I like Applegate brand.
- Uncured Deli Ham or Turkey
- Cheese Slices – Save money by getting a block to slice up. My kids like cheddar, Havarti, and Colby Jack.
- Crackers – Look for whole grain crackers in the health food section.
2. Make Ahead Yogurt Parfaits
I send Make Ahead Yogurt Parfaits often with my kids. You can easily divide the ingredients in a stainless steel Bento Box or layer them in a medium-sized glass container with lid.
3. Frozen Breakfast Sandwiches
Prep and freezer these delicious, easy breakfast sandwiches ahead and store in the freezer.
Place one in the fridge the night before school to thaw and warm up in the microwave or oven in the morning until very hot. Wrap in a few layers of foil and a kitchen towel and place in insulated lunchbox.
4. Tomato Bisque Soup
My kids love when I make a big batch of Tomato Bisque, top it with a little grated Parmesan, and send it in their stainless steel BPA-free thermos. And I love knowing that they are getting at least a few servings of vegetables just from the soup alone.
I freeze the soup in 2-cup glass containers and then warm them up in the morning to put in the thermos.
5. Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
I like to make a large portion of Instant Pot Mac and Cheese (with whole wheat pasta) for dinner one night and send all the kids with leftovers the next day in their thermoses. It’s always a hit!
You could also try our Homemade Mac and Cheese with Sneaky Sweet Potato to add some more nutrition or Easy Stovetop Mac and Cheese for a one-pot wonder.
6. Fruit Pizza Roll-Up
My daughter often requests this in her lunch. I do recommend to make this the morning of or to leave off the bananas if making ahead.
7. Leftover Kid-Favorite Casseroles
Make one of these delicious, nutritious casseroles for dinner and then divide up the leftovers into 2-cup glass containers in the fridge. The kids can warm one up in the microwave and put it in their thermos in the morning. This is a favorite packed lunch around our house!
- Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole
- 4-Ingredient Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
- Baked Penne Pasta
- Easy Cheesy Baked Pasta
- Beefy Baked Ravioli
Make 6 Dump-and-Go Freezer Meals in 1 Hour!
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8. Quick Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
I make a batch of this healthy, comforting soup on the weekend and divide it into 2-cup glass containers in the fridge. The kids warm one up in the microwave and put it in their thermos in the morning.
We also have a dump-and-go Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup that’s super easy to make.
9. Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups
This lunch is so easy to make. Just spread some cream cheese on a whole wheat tortilla and add turkey slices. Roll up and slice into “sushi rolls”. They fit nicely in a Bento Box.
10. Cereal, Milk, and Fruit
Yep, you read that right. Occasionally when I am in a huge hurry or out of options, I send a well-sealed thermos with milk, a healthier dry cereal in a bowl with lid, and a spoon so the kids can pour the milk over it. Add in some fresh blueberries or strawberry slices to put on top and it’s actually not that bad of a lunch…and my kids think I’m the bomb.
11. Make-Ahead Lunch Wraps
I love this lunchbox option, because you can make a bunch ahead of time and freeze them. They are so easy to throw together and wrap individually in foil.
To send in the lunch, thaw overnight in the fridge. Then, in the morning, heat them in foil in a 350 degree oven for about 10-15 minutes (until very hot) and wrap in a kitchen towel to keep it insulated in the lunch box. Feel free to leave out any ingredients your kids don’t like.
12. Petite Baby Carrots with Homemade Hummus
Store bought hummus is easy to find but if you want a completely whole food version try making your own hummus.
13. Finger Food Fruit
There are a few no-brainer fresh fruits to include in the lunchbox, and fresh is always a better choice than the little fruit cocktail cups. Great grab-and-go fruits are Clementines (aka Cuties) or Apples (Fuji or Honey Crisp are the only ones that are worth it to us!). Other than rinsing them off, all you have to do is toss them in the lunch box.
Grapes, blueberries, and strawberries are our other lunchbox favorites, because they are easy to eat with your hands.
15. Unsweetened Apple Sauce
Skip the dessert and offer apple sauce as a sweet treat, especially the unsweetened kind to avoid more sugar and additives. You can buy it in bulk or in pre-portioned containers, like the Musselman’s Unsweetened Natural Apple Sauce.
16. String Cheese
What kid doesn’t like playing with their food? That’s what makes string cheese so fun. I love throwing these in lunch boxes for a quick protein-rich addition to the meal.
17. Trail Mix
There are several excellent pre-made trail mixes in stores to choose from or make your own with nuts, chocolate chips, and dried fruit.
18. Granola Bars
Not all store-bought granola bars are created equal. Many are actually loaded with as much sugar and additives as a candy bar…some are even worse. So, I look for granola bars that have all recognizable ingredients and are lower in sugar. Here are a few of our favorites:
- ClifKid ZBars (or try our Peanut Butter Protein Bars)
- Kashi Dark Mocha Almond Chewy Granola Bars
- KIND Healthy Grains Oats and Honey Bars
- Lara Bars
19. Hard Boiled Eggs
Sometimes I’ll boil and peel half a dozen eggs at the beginning of the week and stick one or two in a kids’ lunch.
Use Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs recipe for the easiest boiled eggs ever! Eggs are a great source of protein and full of so many other important vitamins and minerals–almost the perfect brain food!
20. Stovetop Popcorn (in Bulk)
Popcorn is full of fiber and a much better side option than chips in a lunchbox. It’s hard to beat the taste and price of this Homemade Stovetop Popcorn. Just use your favorite popping kernels, make a big batch, and store in an air-tight container for up to three days.
21. Healthy Muffins
Muffins or other baked goods are so easy to pack up in a lunch and freeze well. Here are a few of my kids’ favorite healthier muffin recipes I make at home and store in the freezer:
- Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Pumpkin Spice Muffins
- Chocolate Banana Muffins
- Blueberry Avocado Muffins
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Gluten Free Banana Muffins (made in the blender!)
22. Uncured Deli Turkey/Ham & Cheese on Wheat Bread
Simple idea but also simple to pull off! Let your kids assemble the sandwich themselves. They will be more likely to eat it!
If you’ve got extra time, you will NOT be disappointed in our Homemade Sandwich Bread. I used to make 3 loaves once a week and it would disappear fast!
Pair this sandwich with fruit and veggies and a Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookie as a treat!
FAQs About Packing Lunch for Kids
1. Let your child help with meal planning and prep. Kids are naturally more excited about food they have helped with!
2. To make lunch more interesting, include a variety of small portions of different foods in their lunch. This can also increase the likelihood they’ll find something they like.
3. Use colorful containers, bento boxes, and fun shapes (using cookie cutters for sandwiches or fruits) to make the lunch visually appealing.
4. It often takes multiple exposures to a new food before a kid decides to try it. So, keep including small amounts of new foods regularly without pressuring them to eat it.
5. Sometimes, a picky eater might prefer smaller, snack-like items instead of a big meal. Include healthy snacks that they can eat throughout the day.
1. Invest in some reusable, air-tight containers. I really like these 1-cup Pyrex containers and 2-cup Anchor Hocking containers with lids. They stack easily in my cabinets and are perfect for sending fruit, veggies, cheese slices, popcorn, etc.
2. Another must-have is a thermos that seals tightly and holds heat. My favorite one over the years is this Thermos with spoon. I send leftovers and soup in it all the time. It never leaks and fits a lot of food in it (for bigger kids).
3. Invest in a Bento box, especially for younger kids who eat smaller portions. Here are our recommendations.
Meal Prep Ideas for Busy Parents
Packing your child’s lunches regularly means they will eat healthier and, as a result, feel better throughout the day. It’s worth the time to prep some of these ideas and involve your kids in the process.
2-cup Anchor Hocking containers with lids: Do these containers truly keep food fresher for longer, or is it just a marketing gimmick?
I have used them for years to store food in the freezer or fridge and to send in lunches. I prefer glass to plastic because of the potential chemicals leaching into food. My only complaint is that the lids eventually crack if you wash them over and over in the dish washer. But you can buy replacements online. I hope that helps!
Might want to rethink Cheerios as we now know it is contaminated with glyphosate.
Ok, thanks for the heads up, Sue!
So glad you listed these again! I always get so stick when it comes to lunch ideas!
Glad you found it helpful!