Ok. So it’s not exactly that I’m always lazy, and my kids can recite without much of a fight one of our most commonly stated dinner rules, “We try new things.
But have you looked for kids lunch ideas? Apparently the title of this post is more appropriate than I thought, because in my quest for “kid-friendly” and “easy” ideas I kept finding things like Spiced Mini Burgers with Couscous Salad and Slow Cooker Smoky Pea Soup.
Who are these kids?!
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In preparation for back-to-school (which is somehow just five weeks away!), I’ve tracked down twenty-one recipes and lunch ideas that actually seem doable – and enjoyable for my three kiddos – when time, energy, and/or patience is in short supply.
Fun Food
1. Apples & Peanut Butter “A quick, light lunch, or delicious snack. I never get tired of this combo!”
3. Breakfast for Lunch Breakfast is my kids’ favorite lunch food 😉 and we almost always have leftovers from “Pancake Saturday”!
4. Cheese Quesadillas A great alternative to a cheese sandwich, these are delicious room temperature or kept warm!
5. Cheesy Pretzel Dippers “My son calls them magic cheese wands!” 🙂
6. Cracker Stackers “Nothing fancy here. Kids love lunchables, and this allows you to choose healthier cheese and meat options – or just their favorites!”
7. Crispy Chicken & Ranch Wraps Especially easy if you use leftovers from dinner, or your favorite pre-made chicken strips!
8. Dinosaur Dip and Veggie Spears Blend yogurt with avocado, a squeeze of lemon, and herbs. Serve this dino-green dressing with assorted “spears,” such as cucumbers, carrots, or peppers.
9. DIY Pizza Lunch A kid-favorite, with healthier and more affordable choices!
10. Kids’ Favorites Trail Mix “Easy, nutritious, keeps for a long time, and easily tweaked to fit your personal tastes!”
11. Ham & Cheese Apple Wraps “Not only are these wraps delicious, they are also full of nutrients!”
12. Healthy PB&J Muffins “These Peanut Butter & Jelly muffins are delicious – and there are hidden vegetables in [the batter]!”
13. Homemade Uncrustables Sandwiches “I love the convenience of Uncrustables, but at around $3.19 for a box of four, I don’t love the price… Plus I love that I can control the quality of ingredients in their sandwiches.”
14. Lunch Box Fun-Due “From Rachel Ray’s Yum-O cookbook, [my daughter] picked this out… it fits my requirement that our lunches be healthy and well-balanced.”
15. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sushi Rolls “I have three hungry grandkids and needed something quick and entertaining.”
16. Pizza Puffs “A kid-friendly food that make great lunches. Make one batch, freeze it, and use for a whole bunch of lunches!
17. Silly Salad “Even a simple school lunch can be made silly and fun. No special tools required, just a little creativity!”
18. Sticky Stacky Sandwiches “Skewering your sandwich ingredients is fast and fun, and for kids who normally don’t eat tomatoes on their sandwiches, they just might when it’s on a stick!”
19. Tiny Tacos They’re tacos. They’re tiny. My girls are instant fans. 🙂
20. Tortilla Pinwheels “These are an easy and delicious lunch! Great for children and adults, the pinwheels are quick and easy to prepare, they pack well, and are fairy healthy, too!”
21. Turkey & Swiss Roll-ups Perfect for the kid (or adult!) that is just tired of the same old sandwich.
BONUS: I also love this post from Happy Money Saver about prepping a week’s worth of cold lunches that the kids can then help pack. Simple, convenient, and fun for the kids!
Fun supplies…
I am a big proponent of purchasing things to make life fun; we don’t often purchase things on a whim that we won’t really use, but as I’ve grown older I have realized I’m more than happy to spend money on a high-quality product (tools, toys, clothes, etc) that will actually get use. Last year I fell in love with a few products – despite never, ever, ever even pretending I was going to do real “bento” lunches – but only after buying too-small lunch boxes. Learn from my mistakes and make sure these things will fit in the lunch box your little one plans to take to school! 🙂 (For what it’s worth, we got new lunch boxes for my older two this year. I am slightly obsessed with these adorable Retro Lunch Bags from Pottery Barn Kids… Super cute, nicely made, and they fit so much more than the Target lunch bag they carried the last two years!)
LUNCH BOXES/INSERTS
EasyLunchboxes 3-Compartment Bento boxes
EasyLunchboxes Dip, Condiment, or Sauce Containers
LunchBots Trio Stainless Steel Food Container
Thermos 10oz Funtainer Food Jar
ACCESSORIES
Pantry Elements Silicone Baking Cups
Crusty’s All-Stars Sandwich Cutters
Stainless Steel Vegetable (or Cheese!) Cutters
Fit & Fresh Cool Coolers Ice Packs
And perhaps you’ll want to pick up a copy of “Everyday Bento“, in case you’re feeling adventurous! 😉
Now I’m curious…
Do your kids pack lunch, buy from the cafeteria, or do a little of each? Just out of curiosity, how much do their school lunches cost?
E.S. Ivy
Love how some of these are totally just a quick way you put the slices of egg on the salad, etc.
Our rule is, if you want to take a lunch, you pack your own. 🙂 Although I will often pitch in along the way. Sometimes they take left-overs, sometimes they make a quick sandwich. Our school has a lot of choices – and the high school has a salad bar my daughter really likes – but I think a full “regular” lunch costs $2.25.
E.S. Ivy
Love how some of these are totally just a quick way you put the slices of egg on the salad, etc.
Our rule is, if you want to take a lunch, you pack your own. 🙂 Although I will often pitch in along the way. Sometimes they take left-overs, sometimes they make a quick sandwich. Our school has a lot of choices – and the high school has a salad bar my daughter really likes – but I think a full “regular” lunch costs $2.25.
Gina
Love all these ideas! I am going to try to make my own uncrustables