Make packing a school lunch a bit easier with these easy and creative lunch box ideas for kids of all ages.
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Back to school means back to packing lunches for the kids every day. It’s easy to get stuck in the same routine of PBJ sandwiches, especially if you have a little kid who won’t eat anything else. (One of mine was a dedicated PBJ fan throughout elementary and into middle school.)
But if you’re looking for some lunch box ideas that are easy to make ahead I’ve collected some great recipes. Some of these are simple enough that you can supervise while kids do the food prep and cooking on the weekend!
School lunch tips
- Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. As a general rule, foods must stay below 40 degrees or above 140 degrees to be safe. An ice pack or thermos will help, but if lunch is more than 4 hours away, the best choice is something that’s safe at room temp.
- Sometimes you need a fork or spoon. If you’re worried about your household utensils disappearing, grab a few from the dollar store that are just for school.
- Containers make all the difference sometimes. For little kids, these Rubbermaid Lunch Blox are my favorite. Teens and adults may prefer these Rubbermaid Brilliance containers.
Lunch recipes
Pinwheel sandwiches
Pinwheel sandwiches are a fun appetizer for parties, but they’re great for school lunches too! This simple recipe from Two Pink Peonies is easy to follow and makes the perfect alternative to sandwich bread. You can even have kids help with assembly.
Protein snack packs
If you’ve got a big kid who tends to get hungry before the end of school, it can be a challenge to pack a filling lunch. These protein snack packs from The Forked Spoon are a great option. They’re filled with a variety of ingredients like hummus and veggies.
Homemade Lunchables
Make your own homemade lunchables with these clever tips from This Vivacious Life. It’s easy to swap out ingredients like crackers, to include your kid’s favorites this week.
Peanut butter banana roll-ups
Peanut butter banana roll-ups are a fun finger food for kids of all ages. Get the recipe from Midget Momma and add them to your child’s lunchbox alongside some fresh fruit. You can easily swap the peanut butter for Nutella or sun butter if you prefer!
Homemade Uncrustables
Packing school lunches can be a time-suck, especially in the morning when you’re already in a hurry. Simply Well Balanced has a brilliant idea for making a whole month’s worth of sandwiches at a time. Learn how to make homemade Uncrustables including freezing tips.
BLT wraps
For an easy twist on a classic sandwich, try making these BLT wraps from Two Kids and a Coupon. With just 5 ingredients, you could make a whole week’s worth of wraps pretty quickly.
Pizza dippers
Most kids are happy to eat pizza almost every day. If you need a creative variation that’s made from scratch, try these pizza dippers from Food Meanderings. They go with marinara or any sauce for dipping.
Chili mac
A big pot of chili mac is the perfect fall supper, but it’s also great for school lunches. Fill a heated thermos with piping hot mac and it will still be hot at lunch time.
Vegan pasta salad
Most kids love pasta and it’s no surprise because pasta comes in so many fun shapes! Use your kids’ favorite to make this vegan pasta salad at The Vegan Atlas.
Ham and cheese biscuits
Drop biscuits are quick to make and this recipe for ham and cheese biscuits at Beyond the Chicken Coop are loaded with filling ingredients.
Banana pikelets
Aussie Home Cook says pikelets are an Australian variation on pancakes. Make a batch of banana pikelets for a mini handheld pancake that goes well with fresh fruit. BTW, they get their sweetness from the banana, not added sugar.
Chocolate chip muffins
These chocolate chip muffins from Apply to Face sound like the perfect sweet treat to pack in school lunch boxes. And you can swap the chocolate chips for any flavor – or even dried fruit.
Orange muffins
The bright color of these orange muffins is really eye catching – and all natural! Make a batch of orange muffins from Cooking in Chinglish.
Sweet potato hummus
Most kids are happy to eat a few veggies if they have something tasty to dip them in. This sweet potato hummus from Easy Recipe Depot goes well with any crunchy vegetables, crackers, or bread.
Instant Pot applesauce
If you’ve ever wanted to try making homemade applesauce, this recipe from Monday is Meatloaf looks easy! Best of all, you don’t have to peel the apples.
Crunchy roasted chickpeas
For a sweet or salty snack, try this recipe for crunchy roasted chickpeas from A Cedar Spoon. You can flavor them with any spice blend. Add cinnamon for sweet or paprika for savory.
Cheesy taco goldfish
My kids love Goldfish crackers, so I came up with a few variations that I can make in a big batch on the weekend. Try my cheesy taco goldfish here on One Mama’s Daily Drama for a snack that every cracker lover will enjoy.
Cinnamon pretzels
Dizzy Busy and Hungry has a sweet recipe for cinnamon pretzels. Make a big batch, then mix in some other ingredients like peanuts and M&Ms to turn it into snack mix.
Fruit pizza
Sneak a few more fresh fruits into your kiddos by packing a fruit pizza in their lunch boxes. This cute idea from Two Healthy Kitchens is versatile, so you can add whatever fruit you happen to have on hand this week.
Mini apple pies
There’s something about back to school in the fall that just makes you think of apples. These mini apple pies made by In The Kitchn are a kid-sized treat.
Save these lunch box ideas for later! Whether it’s at the beginning of the school year or the end, at some point you’ll be glad you have these in your back pocket.
What’s next? Try these other fun and creative ideas on One Mama’s Daily Drama:
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