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With these easy kids lunch ideas, you don’t have to pack the same old sandwiches. Think outside the lunchbox and try these tips, tricks, and recipes. From wraps and rolls to salads and dips, breakfast for lunch, and even alternatives to bread, school lunch will never be the same.
Easy Kids School Lunch Ideas
I like to call myself a Lunchbox Ninja. I’ve been packing lunches for my always-hungry boys for years now, and you know what? There’s more to life, and lunch, than sandwiches.
No, kids lunch doesn’t have to mean the same sandwich, applesauce, and pudding cup every day (yes, that was my typical lunch as a kid). However, that doesn’t mean lunch has to be complicated. You don’t have to carve carrots into cartoon characters or break out the cookie cutters to turn everything into fancy shapes.
Pack a healthy school lunch
I’m not a nutritionist or dietician, but I’ve found an approach that works for us. And my kids are healthy and, you know, I’ve kept them alive this long. So I guess we are doing alright!
I call it my mix between having a plan and no plan at all. Keep some staples in the fridge and pantry, have a few go-to recipes, and just some general ideas of things you can assemble simply with ingredients you have on hand.
In fact, I rarely pack a sandwich in their lunchbox. Maybe once a week they get peanut butter and jelly. But they like variety, and I like that by giving them different things in their school lunch, not only are they eating a variety of foods and flavors, but also getting a variety of nutrients.
I don’t really know anything about tracking all those vitamins and minerals and fat grams and carbs down to the decimal. I just know that variety typically means they don’t get too much or not enough of anything.
Packing lunch for work
Yes, these ideas are also great for adults to pack to bring to work.
So let’s get to it…
What to eat instead of sandwiches
50+ Easy Lunch Ideas for Kids - No Sandwiches!
Check out all of these recipes for:
- Lunch on a Stick
- Wraps, Rolls, and Pinwheels
- Finger Foods
- What to Use Instead of Bread
- Breakfast for Lunch
- Salads Kids Will Eat
- Protein-Packed Dips
- Yummy Parfaits
Kids Lunch on a Stick
Everything is more fun when you put it on a stick. Grab some plastic skewers and fill it with vegetables, meats, cheeses, and more for these creative combos perfect for dipping, dunking, and devouring.
Make a classic salad more fun to eat and dip it in your favorite salad dressing.
These tasty chicken kabobs can definitely be eaten cold the next day with some Tzatziki Sauce for dipping.
Apples add a hint of sweetness and crunch to this protein-packed combo.
Only five ingredients and tastes just like pizza.
Not the same old sandwich, but make them with your favorite sandwich fillings.
No bread needed for this sandwich skewer but don't forget the pickles.
Wraps, Rolls, and Pinwheels
Are wraps better for you than bread? This may or may not be trued, depending on the bread and wraps you choose. But there are some flatbreads made with whole grains and even extra nutrition from things like flax seeds. You can even find gluten free wraps. But rolling it up makes your favorite sandwich fillings a little more interesting.
Little rolls packed with tons of flavor from olives, artichokes, and roasted red peppers.
A fun and cool way to eat everyone's favorite kicked up chicken.
Every kid loves bacon, ranch, and cheddar, so they will devour these little bites.
Bring barbecue deliciousness to lunch.
These taste just like the ones you can buy at Costco, only better.
Finger Foods
Anything you can pick up and eat with your hands is always more fun for kids.
You don't have to use only peanut butter and raisins for this classic.
Make these with leftovers and they are yummy to eat whether hot or cold.
Topped with your favorite nut or seed butter and granola, these are totally customizable to any preference or allergy.
Pack these healthy baked meatballs with the barbecue sauce in a separate container for dipping.
Even more protein-packed than the classic recipe because they are made with Greek yogurt instead of mayo.
Only three ingredients in this easy, healthy little bite that packs easily in a lunchbox.
What to Use Instead of Bread
You can totally swap out the bread and make your "sandwich" on things like apple slices or wraps in lettuce. You can even wrap everything up right in your favorite deli meat.
Swap the bread for apple slices in this healthy, easy sammie.
A salad you can pick up and eat with your hands.
Yummy veggie cream cheese spreads rolled up in tortillas are a kid favorite.
Made with Greek yogurt to keep it creamy and light, but with the savory flavor of your favorite barbecue sauce, this isn’t your usual chicken salad recipe.
You won't miss bread when you put a smear of peanut butter and other favorite fillings between two apple slices.
No tortilla needed for these turkey wraps.
Bacon, chicken, and cheese pair perfectly with sweet and crunchy apples.
A classic sub sandwich combo, minus the roll.
Breakfast for Lunch
Who says muffins and eggs are only for breakfast? We all love breakfast for dinner, so breakfast for lunch is a great option. Plus there are many ways to add in extra protein and even veggies.
A kid-friendly favorite for years that is packed with veggies. You can even make gluten free carrot zucchini muffins.
Use whatever leftover veggies, cheese, and meat you have and enjoy at room temperature or keep them warm in a thermos.
Packed with whole grains and protein to keep the kids satisfied all afternoon.
Add a small container of maple syrup to the lunch box or make pancake peanut butter sandwiches.
Make this for brinner and send the leftovers to school because it's even tasty cold or at room temperature.
Salads Kids Will Eat
Yes, kids will eat salad. OK, maybe some of these are pasta salad. But at least it's a change from sandwiches. And you can make it taste like pizza or tacos. Or give it a shot with zoodles salads or salads in a jar to make them fun and portable.
The creamy peanut sauce will have the kids slurping up these zoodles.
The classic Snickers salad gets a healthier upgrade that is just as sweet and yummy.
A creamy Southwestern Dressing gives it a kicked-up zesty flavor that's not too spicy for kids.
This hearty salad has healthy ingredients and kid-favorite flavors.
Even kids love this classic that is made healthier with a Greek Yogurt Caesar Dressing.
Kids love anything that tastes like pizza, especially when it includes noodles too.
An easy way to make salads portable while keeping them fresh and crisp.
Start Taco Tuesday at lunch instead of waiting until dinner.
Protein-Packed Spreads and Dips for Vegetables and More
When dips are made from ingredients like Greek yogurt or chickpeas, they become a satisfying source of protein. And dipping makes kids more likely to eat veggies.
Greek yogurt lightens up and adds protein to this old favorite.
A dip for fruit and veggies that tastes like cookie dough.
You'll forget plain bagels when you cover them with this sweet and cinnamony spread.
Sneak veggies and protein into this cheesy dip.
Fresh and flavorful, with protein and even more vegetable goodness.
Smear some bagels or dip carrots or apples into this sweet and zesty cream cheese.
This sweet but healthy dip can be made in single servings and is perfect for graham crackers, pretzels, or apple slices.
Yummy Parfaits
Parfait possibilities are endless, whether you use fruit, yogurt, and granola, or try something like chia seed pudding. Those layers and eating out of a jar always makes trying new things more appealing to kids.
Don't limit your PB&J love to sandwiches.
It tastes like dessert, but it's a surefire way to get the kids to eat quinoa.
Four different fruity combos in these perfectly portable parfaits.
Simple and healthy with creamy layers between the fresh fruit.
Layer up yogurt, crispy apples, and a crunchy, cinnamon-y granola.
Great tips so you can prep a bunch of these parfaits for breakfast and lunch all week.
Good snacks for lunch
After you’ve packed a lunchbox, don’t forget about after school snacks!
- No-Bake Recipes for Kids Snacks include energy balls and energy bars and more quick and easy ideas.
- 100+ Healthy Gluten Free Snacks are perfect if you want or need to avoid wheat.
- And if your school has a no nut policy, try these 20 Nut-Free and Peanut-Free Healthy Snacks.
