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    Home » Real Food » Lunch » Easy Lunch Ideas For Kids

    Easy Lunch Ideas For Kids

    By Kristen Chidsey | 24 Comments | Published July 25, 2021 | Updated August 24, 2021 *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Looking for easy ideas for lunch boxes? These healthy lunch ideas will make your kids smile and you will feel good about what they are eating! Grab your free Lunch Box Planner and mix and match ingredients to make over 50 wholesome lunch combinations that kids are sure to enjoy and are easy enough for your kids to pack themselves!

    Looking for easy lunch ideas for kids? This is the ultimate list of wholesome kid-friendly lunches--that are also SUPER easy to make.

    These wholesome, easy lunch ideas for kids will ensure your kids gobble up their lunch and you will feel good about what they are eating!

    Lunch container with english muffin lunchable and school note.

    The former teacher in me LOVES the start of the school year. I get giddy over school supplies and organizing pencil boxes, but I do NOT get excited about packing school lunches.

    I bet many of you parents understand!

    You want your child to eat a balanced lunch, but you don't want to take the time to pack one. Or you fear you will go to the effort of packing a homemade school lunch, only for your child not to eat the lunch.

    I hear you! And I used to dread packing lunches as much as my kids dread homework. But I have learned how to make healthy lunches my kids actually enjoy, and they are picky, and the process much easier for me through the years.

    My #1 Tip for Packing Lunches

    Let your kids choose their lunch. 

    If your child gets to choose what they are eating, they are more likely to actually eat it. And less likely for those veggies to come back home in their lunchbox or wind up in the trash.

    I know, I know, you are fearful that if you let your child pack their school lunch, they may end up with a brownie and some potato chips.

    Eliminate that fear by having your children mix and match ingredients with my Lunch Box Planner.

    This Lunch Box Graphic is designed so that your child selects 1 protein, 1 whole grain, 1 fruit, and 1 vegetable. It is a great way to ensure your children have a BALANCED lunch. It also teaches them to make wise choices on their own, while learning that meals should be balanced.

    Simply Print the Lunch Box Planner HERE, and hang it on your refrigerator, or place it in your pantry for easy reference. And then let your child help you pack their lunches using this list as a guide. This list is limited in options, but it is a great starting point. Feel free to add your favorites to the list!

    Lunch Box Ideas Graphic

    Lunch Box Ideas for Kids

    Here are a few of my favorite kid-friendly lunch recipes that pack well in lunch boxes, help meet the nutritional needs of growing kids.

    And most importantly, these wholesome lunch ideas are kid-approved! That means you can feel good about what your children are eating for lunch and know that they will be enjoying every last bite--instead of tossing it into the trash!

    English Muffin Pizzas: Make a large batch to meal prep for school lunches, or put an English muffin, a container of pizza sauce, and shredded cheese in your child's lunch and they have their own Pizza Lunchable! Add in some veggies and fresh fruit and watch your kids get excited about lunchtime!

    Close up of English Muffin Pizza
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    Air-Fryer Pizza Bagels: Very similar to English Muffin Pizzas, this simple recipe comes together fast. You can make it in the time your kids eat their breakfast!

    Bagel Pizza on wooden cutting board.
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    Southwestern Veggie Tostadas: This tostada is like a mini Mexican Pizza and is so fun for kids to make and eat! It checks off a whole grain from the tortilla,  vegetables from the toppings, and protein from the refried beans. Serve with a side of fruit for a lunch that is perfectly balanced!

    Southwestern Veggie Tostadas on silver plate topped with tomatoes and and corn
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    Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins: These little PB&J Muffins are SO fun for school lunch. They are made with whole grains (oats), fruit (banana and all fruit jelly), and loaded with protein from eggs, milk, and peanut butter. I love making a huge batch and freezing. These muffins defrost in the lunchbox and are ready for lunch. Add in some vegetables with Homemade Ranch Dip and check off all the boxes!

    Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffin

    Mac and Cheese Muffins: I took my daughter's favorite Macaroni and Cheese recipe and turned it into a portable muffin that is loaded with veggies and packs well in school lunches. These muffins have carbohydrates, veggies, and protein and kids LOVE them! They freeze great and can be served warm and packed in thermos or cold. Add in a fruit cup and lunch is done!

    3 Mac and cheese muffins on cutting board
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    Easy Bean Burritos: Bean burritos are SUPER easy to make and freeze well, plus this recipe also shows you a trick also show you a trick on how to get in a few extra veggies into your kids! Add in yogurt and some fruit, and talk about a balanced meal!

    refried bean burrtio cut in half to show filling of refried beans with 3 whole bean burritos to the side
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    Ranch Veggie Wrap: What kid does not like to dip their veggies into ranch dressing? This easy wrap puts the veggies and ranch right into a handheld wrap and provides them with vegetables, whole grains, and calcium.

    Vegetarian Wrap cut open to reveal fresh vegetables
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    DIY Butterfly Snack Bags: Not only are these Snack Bags fun, but they are also customizable. I like to pack them with fruit and peanut butter crackers and a cheese stick with a side of carrot sticks for a perfectly balanced meal.

    3 DIY butterfly snack baggies on white counter
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    Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets: These homemade hot pockets make a great option for a school lunch box, and they are easy to prep in bulk and freeze to use for lunches, and defrost perfectly before lunch. Serve with a Gogurt, snap pea crisps, and a fruit cup.

    Hot pocket next to baking sheet of ham and cheese calzones
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    Turkey Club Wrap: Turkey, bacon, lettuce, and tomato, all wrapped up for a delicious lunch that features whole grains, veggies, and protein. YUM! Add in some berries and a sweet treat, and lunch is good to go!

    Turkey BLT Wrap cut open
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    Hidden Veggie Quesadillas: Veggies in a cheese quesadilla? Trust me, it works and the KIDS love it!

    Squash and Cheese Quesadilla cut into wedges on silver plate
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    Healthy Dips: Including fruits and vegetables in each lunch is so important. Be sure to let your child choose their favorites so you know they will eat them. And serve up Peanut Butter Chocolate Dip for the fruit or Homemade Ranch Dip to encourage that produce to disappear!

    Bowl of Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip
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    Homemade Granola Bar: Made with whole grains, nut butter, and dates, these bars are a sweet treat that also has the added benefit of being full of whole grains, fruit, and protein. These are one of my kids' favorite no-bake treats.

    4 Chewy Gluten Free Granola Bars on parchment paper with oats and dates to the side
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    Homemade Yogurt Tubes Save money and make yogurt tubes that actually feature real FRUIT, not just fruit flavoring. These simple treats are a great way to get a huge dose of protein as well. Stash them in the freezer and then pull one out to pop in the lunchbox in the morning and they will defrost by lunch. It is a great way to add some calcium and fruit to lunch.

    Fruit and Yogurt Tubes on white counter
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    Homemade Larabars: These simple homemade fruit and nut bars are a great way to get in a serving of fruit and protein--not to mention the homemade version is SO much cheaper, plus they taste like a dessert!

    Larabar on Parchment Paper
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    Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups: Super easy to make and super fun to eat, these homemade fruit roll-ups are a great way to enjoy fruit!

    Blackberry Strawberry Fruit Roll Up, half-way rolled up in blue craft paper
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    Homemade Cheese Crackers: So much better than what you get in a box! These crackers are perfect to add to your child's lunch for a serving of whole grains or just a yummy snack.

    Bowl of homemade cheese crackers
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    Remember to Print the Lunch Box Planner HERE, to hang on your refrigerator or place it in your pantry for easy reference. 

    And if you find yourself dealing with food allergies or needing new ideas for what to pack for lunch, be sure to check out Gluten-Free Lunch Ideas and Peanut Free Lunch Ideas.  

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    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gina

      July 31, 2020 at 1:00 pm

      Thank you for this list! So many great options!

      Reply
    2. Ashley F

      July 31, 2020 at 12:58 pm

      The best list for lunches for the kids! They love the peanut butter and jelly muffins!

      Reply
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