Do you pack your child’s lunch for school? I pack lunches for both of my kids every day. One of the biggest reasons I do this is because my kids are very picky. But that’s okay.
Honestly packing their lunches allows me to keep their meals filled with nutritious foods that are also fun to eat. But after packing their lunchboxes for the first few days of school, I started to run out of creative meals to make them.
So after looking for some inspiration, I found several ideas that my kids have just enjoyed eating. And since my kids loved them so much I wanted to share them with you.
Now as I said two of the main reasons that I pack my kid’s lunches are because they are picky and to give them better and healthier meals, but another reason that many parents pack their children’s lunches is to save money.
And one way that we save money on our food budget is by taking the Food Budget Masterclass that my friend Victoria created. She feeds her family all wholesome foods for only $188 per month.
This page may contain affiliate links, however, I will never recommend anything that I do not believe in and use myself. You can read more about my disclosure policy here.
1. Chicken Bread Rolls
Lunch box meals for kids are often finger foods that are easy for kids to pick up and eat without making a HUGE mess. That’s why these chicken bread rolls are a perfect idea for packing in your kid’s lunch.
They are also a great way to use leftovers from the night before and they freeze very well so you can make a whole batch and toss them in the freezer for later. Find the recipe by FunWithMama here.
2. Turkey, Apple, and Cheese Kabobs
Packing the same old sandwich in your kid’s lunchbox can get boring, but your kids can still have their favorite lunch meat and cheese on a kabob. These turkey, apple and, cheese kabobs are so freakin creative and a fun way for kids to eat a healthy lunch.
Grab the recipe from CrayonsandCravings here.
3. Loaded Cheeseburger Muffins
Do your kids love cheeseburgers? If so, this is a great lunch box recipe to add to your arsenal. These loaded cheeseburger muffins are full of flavor and super easy to pack in your child’s lunch box.
Grab the recipe from CrayonsandCravings here.
4. Easy No-Bake Energy Balls
Do your kids love trail mix? If so, they will devour these delicious no-bake energy balls. There are packed full of protein with mini chocolate chips inside, making them a perfect addition to your kid’s lunch box.
Get the recipe from CrayonsandCravings here.
5. Savory Ham, Carrot, and Cheese Muffins
Keeping school lunches new and interesting for your kids is always a challenge. That’s why moms are constantly experimenting with creative ways to provide healthy lunches that are also delicious.
One great example is these savory ham, carrot and cheese muffins. Get the recipe from SimplifyCreateInspire here.
6. 15-Minute Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
What kid doesn’t love pizza? I know both of my kids do. That’s why these 15-minute air fryer pizza rolls are the perfect school lunch.
Grab the recipe from SimplyCreateInspire here.
7. Lunchbox Quiches
Another great school lunch idea is mini quiches. The best part about these mini quiches is that they are so simple to make and you don’t have to have a special pie maker.
Find the recipe from SimplifyCreateInspire here.
8. Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups
As a kid, I loved fruit roll-ups. The problem is that most fruit roll-ups that you find in a grocery store are packed with unnecessary ingredients that are not healthy. And while you can definitely find fruit roll-ups that are made with healthier ingredients, they are often horribly overpriced.
That’s why making your own homemade fruit roll-ups is a much better solution for adding to your child’s school lunch. Get the recipe from TheSoccerMomBlog here.
9. Sandwich Lollipops
The most common thing that parents pack in their child’s lunch is a sandwich. However, since having the same old sandwich can get boring, here is a new way to send a sandwich for your child’s school lunch.
They are called sandwich lollipops. Get the recipe from TheSoccerMomBlog here.
10. Gluten-Free Cornbread Lunchbox Muffins
When you are making tons of school lunches for your kids throughout the year, it can be easy to run out of new ideas to pack for them.
That’s why these gluten-free cornbread lunchbox muffins are a fresh way to add nutrition to your kid’s lunch. Get the recipe from TheSoccerMomBlog here.
11. Homemade Animal Cracker Cookies
One of the most memorable snacks from childhood are animal crackers. Did you know you can actually make your own homemade animal crackers? Get the recipe from AModernHomestead here.
12. Healthy Homemade Potato Chips
My kids absolutely love potato chips. The problem is that most store-bought potato chips are not healthy, which is why I didn’t keep them on hand for packing for school lunches.
But thankfully, you can make your very own potato chips that are actually healthy. Try the recipe from AModernHomestead here.
13. Einkorn Sourdough Crackers
Crackers are another great addition to your child’s lunchbox. And these homemade sourdough crackers are flaky and super easy to digest.
They are so similar to store-bought crackers but even better since they are homemade. Grab the recipe from AModernHomestead here.
14. Homemade Granola Bars
Granola Bars are one of my go-to items to pack in my son’s lunchbox. He absolutely loves them. And I honestly didn’t know that they were so easy to make from home until recently.
My friend Victoria actually shared her recipe for making and storing homemade granola bars and they are delicious. Try the recipe from AModernHomestead here.
15. Hidden Veggie Pizza Bread
Getting your kids to eat veggies means you have to sometimes be creative when hiding them. One great way to get those extra veggies into your kid’s lunchbox is by making this hidden veggie pizza bread.
Get the recipe from MyKidsLicktheBowl here.
16. Homemade Pizza Lunchable
Store-bought Lunchables have become a huge hit with busy moms who pack their children’s lunch for school. However, the problem with these Lunchables is that they are not always the healthiest or most affordable option.
But if your kids really enjoy having those small pizza type Lunchables, you can actually save money by making them yourself. Try the recipe from GlitteronaDime here.
17. Homemade Uncrustable Sandwiches
Do your kids love uncrustables? My kids do not like the crust on their sandwiches.
And uncrustables are store-bought sandwiches that are cut and sealed in a perfect circle. They have become a huge hit for kids recently, but my kids only like peanut butter on their sandwiches and uncrustables doesn’t make only peanut butter sandwiches.
This is why we have started making our own from home. Check out the recipe from CrazyAdventuresinParenting here.
18. Sandwich Kabobs
Sandwich kabobs is a creative and fun way to add a little more variety to your child’s lunch. To get ideas on making your own sandwich kabobs check out this recipe from TheGoodWivesBlog here.
19. Gluten-Free Baked Chicken Nuggets
Chicken nuggets are always loved by kids. And my kids are certainly no exception. However, finding chicken nuggets that are actually tasty can be a challenge.
That’s why making your own chicken nuggets are a great lunch idea to pack in your kid’s lunchbox. Get the recipe from ReallyAreYourSerious here.
20. Quick Croissant Bento Lunch
This quick and easy lunchbox idea is perfect for when you need a last-minute school lunch for your child. Find out how to make it from BentoLunch here.
21. Easy Zoo-Themed Lunch for Kids
Themed lunch ideas are so much fun for kids. Just opening your lunch box to an entire theme-based meal makes eating lunch more exciting.
This zoo-themed lunch is packed with nutrition and creativity that your kids will love. Grab the recipe from TheSoccerMomBlog here.
22. Healthy Soccer-Themed Kids Lunch
Do your kids love soccer? If so, try this adorable soccer-themed school lunch. Grab the recipe from TheSoccerMomBlog here.
23. Ocean-Themed School Lunch Box
Does your child love the ocean? Another fun themed-lunch idea is an ocean theme.
This fishy lunch idea is sure to get your kids excited about taking their lunch to school. Get the recipe from MyKidsLicktheBowl here.
24. Star Wars Bento Lunch
Do you have some Star Wars lovers in your home? Why not pack the force with them for their school lunch? Get the recipe from BentoLunch here.
25. Bento Birthday School Lunch
Is your child’s birthday on a school day? Being at school is not the most fun way for a kid to spend their birthday, but by making a special birthday meal your child is sure to have an exciting lunch.
Find out how to make this cute birthday lunch from FunwithMama here.
26. Mac and Cheese Pizza Muffins
Mac and cheese and pizza are two huge favorites in our home. So when I saw this recipe for giving the best of both worlds in one muffin, I knew my kids would love them.
Try the recipe from CrazyAdventuresinParenting here.
27. Chalkboard Rice Krispie Treats
Now, of course, this is considered more of a treat rather than a lunch box meal, but we all know as moms it’s fun to pack a little treat in our child’s lunch. That’s where these chalkboard rice krispie treats are the perfect sweet snack to add to your kid’s lunchbox.
Get the recipe from Crafts4Toddlers here.
28. Homemade Graham Crackers
Another sweet snack that children absolutely love is graham crackers.
And although you can certainly buy graham crackers at your local grocery store, it’s much healthier and way more fun to make them at home. Try the recipe from AModernHomestead here.
More Back to School Lunch Tips
- 16 more school lunch ideas for kids
- Is your child taking their lunch to school for the first time? If so try practicing school lunch at home.
Are you loving any of these school lunchbox recipes as much as I am? Tell me your favorites or if you have a different recipe that your kids love.