11 Lunch Ideas For Kids

Ever since I became a mom, one of my biggest concerns has been feeding my kid healthy meals.

I try to limit how much added sugar, salt, and “bad” fats she consumes and ensure that she gets enough of the nutrients she needs to grow.

The problem is that kids have their ideas about what “healthy” means! Even though I put together delicious lunches for her every day, it’s frustrating when she refuses to eat them. So whenever.

I feel tempted to give up and just buy her a Lunchable every day (they’re so easy!), I remind myself of this: Kids are more likely to eat healthy foods if they get involved in the process. Here are some lunch ideas your kids will love and you can feel good about packing in their lunchboxes:

PB&J Sushi

PB&J sushi is a fun twist on a classic sandwich. It’s also a good way to get your kids to eat their veggies.

It’s easy to make, and it’s a great way to get your kids to eat their favorite foods with less effort than regular slicing and dicing would require.

Pita Pizza

If you have a few minutes to spare, this pita pizza is a great lunch to pack for school or work. All it takes is a few simple ingredients and a little time in the oven!

Pita pieces of bread (whole wheat or regular)

Marinara sauce (homemade or organic store-bought)
Mozzarella cheese slices or shredded mozzarella cheese (organic if possible)
Pepperoni slices (turkey pepperoni if vegetarian option desired)

Add your favorite toppings to make it personal! The possibilities are endless: olives, onions, bell peppers, ham, anchovies…the sky’s the limit! Add any combination of cheeses including cheddar jack and provolone for an extra kick of flavor too. If you want something special try pineapple chunks on top with artichoke hearts as an alternative topping choice instead of meat products like salami/cheese/pineapple/.

Popcorn Shrimp Cup

Popcorn shrimp is easy to make and can be prepared in advance.

Fill a small cup with popcorn shrimp and place a toothpick through the center of each one. Serve with ranch dressing or ketchup!

Chicken Nuggets

Chicken nuggets are a great way to pack protein into your child’s lunch. To make them, buy chicken breast from the store and cut it into bite-sized pieces.

You can use a meat mallet if you have one, but you don’t need any special tools to prepare the chicken for this recipe. Once you’ve cut up the chicken, toss it in an oven-safe dish and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until fully cooked through (about 20 minutes).

Once they’re done baking and cooled off slightly, freeze the nuggets on a baking sheet in the freezer until solid before packing them away in their container or Ziploc bag. You’ll want to pack either ketchup or BBQ sauce with these nuggets so that your student has something tasty with which to dip them!

Breakfast For Lunch

If you’re looking for ideas to make lunch fun and exciting, try making breakfast foods into a light lunch.

Breakfast foods are great because they’re easy to pack, delicious, filling, and healthy options.

Here are some of my favorite ways to make breakfast for lunch:

Ham, Cheese, And Apple Baguette Sandwiches

Take your favorite ham and cheese sandwich recipe and add sliced apples to it.

Use a baguette for this lunch idea.

Go nuts with the variety of cheeses you use!

Choose among all sorts of apples: Macintosh, Honeycrisp, and Braeburn are great options as they have different textures and flavors.

For a fun twist on the traditional ham sandwich, try using prosciutto or Canadian bacon instead of regular old ham. You could also use turkey for a healthier option (and if you’re feeling adventurous, try smoked salmon!).

Add cream cheese to make these sandwiches even better!

Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich

This is a fast lunch that can be made with leftovers from last night’s dinner, or you could just buy some bread and cheese for the kids.

Cut the bread in half and place half of the cheese on top of each piece. Put in slices of deli ham to cover up the entire top of one piece, then place another slice of bread on top.

Heat a panini press (or use a frying pan) on medium-high heat and put your sandwich in there until golden brown on both sides – about 5 minutes per side should do it!

Chicken Tacos And Lettuce Wraps

Taco shells are a good source of fiber and iron.

They also contain calcium and B vitamins.

Pasta With Grilled Chicken, Marinara Sauce, And Parmesan Cheese

Pasta is a kid favorite, and this recipe is full of protein thanks to grilled chicken.

The marinara sauce provides vitamins and minerals, while Parmesan cheese adds calcium to the meal. This lunch will help your child feel full throughout the afternoon.

Turkey Sandwich With Baby Carrots And Apple Slices

Whole-wheat bread
Turkey breast

Baby carrots
Apple slices
Honey mustard (or mayonnaise) for dipping the turkey in, and a little extra for the bottom slice of bread.

Lettuce leaves and tomato slices. You can also use cucumber strips instead of lettuce leaves if your child prefers them! Just be sure to cut them into small pieces so they’re easy to eat.

If you have time beforehand, prepare these ahead of time by mixing some honey mustard or mayonnaise with a little bit of chopped cucumber and tomato in a bowl, then adding lettuce leaves and serving these 11 Lunches Are Sure To Thrill Your Kid

them on top of the sandwich to keep everything fresh until lunchtime.

Whole-wheat Bagel With Cream Cheese And Fruit Snacks (Not Pictured

This is one of the easiest and quickest lunches to pack for your kids.

All you need is a whole-wheat bagel, some butter or margarine, any flavor of cream cheese, and fresh fruit. Kids love this because they get their favorite snack foods in one convenient lunchbox item!

These 11 lunches are sure to thrill your kid

A yummy and healthy lunch that includes all of their favorite foods.

A lunch that is easy to pack and doesn’t require any cooking or advance planning.

A lunch that is both filling and nutritious, so they can power through their afternoon activities.

A lunch with plenty of variety, so they never get bored of eating the same thing every day.

A lunch that is both tasty and healthy, so they can feel good about what they’re eating.

A lunch that is easy to eat on the go, so they can grab it and go without any hassle.

A lunch that is packed with protein and energy, so they can stay focused and alert all afternoon.

A lunch that is light and refreshing, so they can avoid feeling sluggish after eating.

A lunch that includes some of their favorite snacks, so they can look forward to something special.

A lunch that is packed with vitamins and minerals, so they can boost their immune system.

A lunch that is both delicious and nutritious, so they can have the best of both worlds!

Conclusion

We hope this list of lunch ideas has provided you with plenty of inspiration for your own child’s lunch. If there’s one thing we know, it’s that kids are picky eaters—but having a variety of different things on hand will make it easier to get them excited about eating healthy. And when they’re eating healthy, you can breathe easy knowing that they have the energy they need to learn and grow!

11 Lunch Ideas For Kids