Kids Lunch Ideas for School

Vanessa M.:  Spread hummus over a whole grain tortilla, then top with sliced rainbow colored veggies for a yummy lunch that will be envy of all the kids NOT eating a rainbow for lunch. Feel free to customize your rainbow to whatever vegetables your children like or what you happen to have on hand. From Tastythin

Vanessa M.:  This fun hot dog recipe is baked - not fried like its counterparts on a stick! Their size makes them equally cute and kid-friendly. These are easy to pack for lunch box food, and also freeze well! Make a huge batch, then thaw and pack as needed. From Iowa Girl Eats

Vanessa M.:  Thread foods your kids love onto skewers: turkey cubes, colby cheese cubes, mozzarella cheese cubes, cherry tomatoes, etc. To make cubes out of a slice of turkey, roll and cut it into cube-sized pieces before skewering. Have the kids help put them together the night before, and they will be excited to eat them for lunch the next day!

Quesadillas are the perfect kid-food for lunch, as they're totally versatile and hold up well in a lunch box. Throw in beans, dinner leftovers, eggs, vegetables of all sorts, even fruit (think apples and brie), melt it quickly on the stove-top or microwave, and you've got a portable main entree option that kids will love.

Vanessa M.:  Spread a tortilla with Nutella, place a whole peeled banana at the edge of the tortilla, and roll it up tightly. Slice crosswise into rounds, and serve facing up like sushi. This is an excellent recipe for kids to help make! Older children could easily put these together on their own. A good tip is to first heat the tortilla up for a few seconds in the microwave to make it pliable.

Vanessa M.:  Fill a bento or other lunch container with an assortment of turkey cubes, cheese pieces, hard boiled egg, apples, grapes, raw veggies and pretzel chips to create a good balance of protein, produce, and snacks that will fill even an older child's tummy. You can even pack a week's worth of lunches at one time!

Kelly R.:  These 3-ingredient pinwheels are frequently requested in my house for school lunches, and couldn't be easier to throw together. The filling can be customized to whatever your kids prefer, or whatever needs to get used up in the fridge! Mine love them with turkey and cheese, and gladly eat them cold or warm. From Real Mom Nutrition

Vanessa M.:  Don't forget about last night's dinner when you're coming up with lunch ideas for school! Putting hot foods in an insulated food container is a great way to expand your lunch packing repertoire. Chicken nuggets are a solid kid classic, but don't stop there - mac & cheese, spaghetti and meatballs, and plenty of other leftovers all make great hot lunches from home!

A great tip is to fill the container with boiling water and let it sit for a few minutes to heat up. Dump out the water, pat it dry, and fill with the hot food. Your child's lunch will still be warm at lunchtime!

Vanessa M.:  Cereal for lunch is a fun crowd pleaser, and it's one of the easiest quick lunch box ideas for kids! Just pack a spoon and a Thermos of cold milk to go with it. You can also include some yummy and filling cereal toppings, such as sliced strawberries, chopped nuts, raisins and other dried fruits, chia seeds, or a sliced banana.

Vanessa M.:  The idea behind mason jar pasta salads is genius, and they can be customized in so many ways as fun lunch ideas for school. Make a large pot of pasta at the beginning of the week and drizzle olive oil over the pasta. Then throughout the week, scoop single servings into mason jars or any plastic lunch container and top with whatever you'd like to make pasta salads in a jar. Try a BLT version or a pizza-inspired version with pepperoni, mozzarella and olives.

Vanessa M.:  Whole grain flatbread is spread with peanut butter (you could substitute sun butter for nut allergies!), and topped with matchstick-cut apples, golden raisins, dried cranberries, granola, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Easy, yummy, healthy, and a definite upgrade to your traditional PB&J sandwich! From Two Healthy Kitchens

This recipe is great for kids who like vegetables and items they can dip! This super easy lunch roll-up can be dipped in a peanut sauce (if the school allows it) or a sweet chili sauce if the school is nut free. Add shrimp or tofu for an extra protein boost! From The Kitchn

Juan L.:  Instead of spending a lot of time creating that boring same old lunch sandwich, spice up an old classic with these star sarnies! They are fast, easy, and kids will get a kick out of this delicious twist.

These are cream cheese and pesto sandwiches on whole grain but as long as you have the star shape cut out, you can make these with any sandwich your kids prefer; ham and cheese, PB&J, the star's the limit! From BBC GoodFood

Vanessa M.:  Do your kids beg for Lunchables? Cut out the cost and unwanted ingredients by making DIY pizza lunchables. In a divided container, pack everything your kids need to make mini pizzas at school: sturdy crackers, marinara sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, and toppings like mini pepperoni. I've used matzo when making this for my children, and they love it!

Vanessa M.:  This fun boxed mac & cheese hack is easy to pack, and takes all the mess out of mac & cheese. And let's face it - they are more fun! Combine mac & cheese, ham, eggs, and bread crumbs together, then mold them into muffin pans and bake. From I Should Be Mopping The Floor