Whether you’re reading this at the start of back-to-school season or in the middle of the year when your kid announces they’re “done” with PB&J, I’ve got some creative ideas for making the BEST school lunches.
Packing lunches can be tricky for a few reasons. First, some kids love a particular food at home, but won’t touch it at school. And who can blame them? Freshly made almond butter and jam sandwiches taste way better than the ones sitting in a lunchbox with ice packs for hours. Kids have sophisticated tastes too!
Second, there are plenty of distractions at school. Younger children especially might struggle to finish lunch during the short allotted time. This means you need to pack lunches that are not only nutritious but filling enough to prevent them from munching down all the crackers first and missing out on the good stuff.
I’ve worked to tackle these challenges today, but I’d love to hear your tips as well! As you know, I’ve got young boys, which means I’m in for a lot more packed lunches in the future, and I’m always open to fresh ideas!
Tips for the Best School Lunches
Before diving into the food options, here are a few tips to keep in mind when packing the best school lunches:
- Find the right containers: Whether it’s hot or cold food, having quality containers is a must. For cold lunches, I love stainless steel lunchboxes like those from Lunch Bots. They have various sizes for both kids and adults. And for keeping food hot, a good thermos is key, especially if you want to send leftovers. Having multiple containers is a game changer—it allows you to prep lunches for two days at a time.
- Understand the school rules: Most schools have guidelines around allergies and nutrition. Be sure to familiarize yourself with these so you can avoid any lunchtime mishaps.
- Get input from your child: Take your little one grocery shopping (yes, even though online ordering is so convenient!) to pick out items they’d love in their lunch. If they’re younger, just have them choose a couple of fruits and veggies, and you can select the rest.
What to Pack for Kids’ Lunches
My go-to? Leftovers! I double (or triple) my dinner recipes and save some for school lunches. This way, I’m serving nutritious, tasty meals with minimal effort. It’s a huge win.
Here are some ideas that are nutritious, flavorful, and easy:
- Build-Your-Own Tacos: Pack leftover ground beef or beans, tortillas, and your child’s favorite taco toppings. Include shredded cheese, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced avocado, or guacamole, and switch it up regularly for variety.
- Leftover Stir Fry: Toss leftover rice or quinoa with stir-fried veggies and protein, then pack it in an insulated container. Add a piece of fruit, and it’s a balanced meal!
- Salmon with Dill Mayo or Aioli: Cold salmon is just as tasty as when it’s hot. Pair it with a simple dill mayo or aioli for dipping, or even homemade ketchup.
- Meatballs with Marinara for Dipping: Cook a big batch of meatballs and freeze extras. You can easily pull them out for lunch and pair them with marinara sauce for dipping, plus fruit and veggies.
- Leftover Bowls: If you have a protein, carb, and veggie combination from dinner, layer it together in an insulated container for a quick, no-fuss lunch. Think quinoa, chicken, and zucchini or rice, pork, and carrots.
- Leftover Chicken with Dipping Sauce: Roasting or grilling extra chicken for dinner can make lunch prep a breeze. Shred or cube the chicken and pair it with a dip (BBQ sauce, ranch, etc.), plus a side of fruit, veggies, and a starch like rice or roasted sweet potatoes.
- Soup or Chili: If you have a good thermos, homemade soups or chili are perfect for packed lunches. They’re hearty, full of protein and veggies, and can be made in bulk to last through the week.
- Pulled Pork: Leftover pulled pork makes an easy, satisfying lunch. Pair it with a bun for a DIY sandwich, or serve it with sides like veggies and fruit.
- Leftover Shrimp Sheet Pan: Shrimp is great both hot and cold, so pack up any leftover shrimp from a sheet pan meal. You can serve it cold or mix it with a sauce in a thermos.
- Tuna Salad with Grapes: Tuna salad is another excellent lunch choice. You can pair it with quinoa and arugula or pack it with crackers or rice cakes.
- Pasta with Pork Ragu: Pasta is a lunchbox winner! Choose small pasta like penne for easy eating, and pair it with a hearty pork ragu.
- Sloppy Joes: Skip the cafeteria version and go homemade for your kid’s lunch! Pack it in a thermos, or with a bun on the side so they can make their own sandwich.
- Chicken Salad: Packed with protein and great cold, chicken salad is perfect for lunch. Serve it with crackers, in a tortilla, or with raw veggies on the side.
- Pecan-Crusted Chicken Strips: Kids love crispy chicken, and leftovers are great cold or hot. Pack with homemade ketchup for dipping.
- Grilled Chicken Bites with Yogurt Mint Sauce: These grilled chicken bites are easy to make and pair perfectly with a tasty dip. Kids love the interactive nature of dipping!
- Gluten-Free Ratatouille Pasta: A veggie-packed pasta dish that’s delicious hot or cold. Add chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas for extra protein.
- Mix & Match Snack Plate: If you don’t have leftovers, a snack plate is an easy option. Pack a variety of items that include protein, healthy fats, carbs, fruit, and veggies. Here are some ideas:
- Greek yogurt with granola
- Energy bites
- Guacamole with veggies
- Cheese and mini rice cakes
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Baby carrots, cucumber slices, and broccoli with hummus
Bonus – Healthy Desserts
Sometimes, you want to sneak in a little treat! Here are some healthier dessert options that are great for school lunches:
- Blueberry chia pudding
- Grain-free peanut butter cookies
- Chocolate chip energy bites
FAQs:
What should be in a child’s packed lunch?
A balanced lunch should include complex carbs, protein, healthy fats, and fruits & veggies. Feel free to think outside the box—packed dinners make for great lunch options too!
What are 10 good lunch foods?
Here are 10 great lunch foods for kids:
- Chia pudding
- Energy bites
- Raw veggies with hummus
- Fruit with nut butter
- Greek yogurt with granola
- Chicken salad
- Leftover soup or chili
- Salmon with aioli
- Meatballs with marinara
- Tuna salad
What to pack for kids who don’t like sandwiches?
There’s no need to rely on sandwiches! Leftover chicken, meatballs, or even pulled pork make excellent lunch choices. Just use good containers to keep everything fresh and either hot or cold.
Want more tips on what to feed kids?
Feeding kids can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be a battle! If you’re looking for more inspiration or tips, check out my other resources to make healthy meals fun and easy for your family.