Easy Lunchbox Ideas Kids Will Love

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Packing school lunches day after day can make even the most organized mom run out of ideas. And there’s nothing worse than a lunchbox coming home still full! The secret is a simple formula, a little variety and letting kids help choose.

Here are easy, healthy lunchbox ideas your kids will actually eat.

The easy lunchbox formula

Pick one from each group and you have a balanced lunch:

1. Protein: turkey, chicken, hard-boiled egg, cheese, beans, hummus, yogurt or nut or seed butter (check your school’s nut policy).
2. Grain: bread, wraps, crackers, pasta, rice or mini bagels.
3. Fruit: grapes (cut for little ones), berries, apple slices, clementines or melon.
4. Veggie: carrot sticks, cucumber slices, snap peas, cherry tomatoes (cut for little ones) or bell pepper strips.
5. A little treat (optional): a cookie, a few chocolate chips or a homemade muffin.

Lunchbox ideas beyond the sandwich

• Pinwheels: spread cream cheese or hummus on a tortilla, add turkey or veggies, roll up and slice.
• DIY “lunchables”: crackers, cheese cubes and turkey or ham pieces.
• Pasta salad: pasta with veggies, cheese and a little Italian dressing.
• Hummus and dippers: pita triangles, crackers and veggies.
• Breakfast for lunch: mini pancakes or waffles with yogurt dip and fruit.
• Muffin-tin pizza: mini pizzas made ahead and served cold.
• Leftovers in a thermos: soup, chili, mac and cheese or fried rice. Fill the thermos with hot water for a few minutes first to keep food warm longer.

Tips for packing lunches faster

• Prep on Sunday. Wash and cut fruits and veggies, portion crackers and boil eggs for the week.
• Pack the night before. Mornings are busy enough!
• Use a bento-style box so foods stay separate and you can see what’s missing.
• Keep it cold. An ice pack keeps perishable foods safe until lunchtime.
• Let kids help. Kids who pack their own lunch are more likely to eat it. Give them a few choices from each group.
• Add a note. A quick “I love you” or a joke on a napkin makes their day.

Saving money on school lunches

• Buy big bags of crackers, pretzels and cheese and portion them into reusable containers instead of buying single-serve packs.
• Bake a batch of muffins or granola bars on the weekend.
• Repurpose dinner leftovers.
• See my grocery budget tips for more ways to save.

Lunchbox FAQ

How do I keep apple slices from turning brown?

Toss them in a little lemon juice, or soak briefly in lightly salted water and rinse.

What if my child is a picky eater?

Include at least one food you know they like, and add a small portion of something new. Keep offering. It can take many tries before kids accept a new food.

Want help planning meals for the whole family? Get a free 7-day meal plan with a shopping list from Easy Peasy Recipeasy.

You might also like:

• Quick and Healthy Breakfast Ideas
• Getting Your Child Ready for Preschool
• Cooking with Kids