Stumped about lunch? Here are 40 lunch ideas for kids at home, including lunches they can make themselves or you can make ahead.
Lunch. Ugh, lunch. You already spend too much brain power drafting a dinner plan every week. It doesn’t seem fair that lunch is also a thing.
Are your kids buying lunch at school? Lucky you. Kids packing lunch? Here are 100 ideas they’ll like. Kids eating lunch at home? That’s where things can get tricky. So I rounded up 40 options for us.
Want a printable list of these ideas (PLUS a blank template you can fill out with your own suggestions) to post on your fridge or cabinet? Click the button below.
Lunches Kids Can Make Themselves At Home
- Snacky Lunch Plate
- Peanut Butter + Jelly (or Sunbutter + Jelly) sandwich or roll-up: spread peanut butter and jelly down the middle of a tortilla, roll up, and eat
- Frozen tortellini or ravioli: boil and serve w/ jarred red sauce or pesto
- Leftovers reheated
- Toasts: with nut butter and sliced fruit or mashed avocado
- Boxed macaroni & cheese (w/ frozen peas if they like them)
- Ramen noodles
- Quesadillas: make with cheese, refried beans, roasted vegetables, leftover roast chicken, etc.
- Scrambled eggs
- Grilled cheese: use a waffle iron if you have one!
Need lunch ideas for toddlers? Get 20 healthy lunch ideas for toddlers + preschoolers
- Veggie burgers or dogs (microwaved)
- Hummus, store-bought or homemade (here’s my hummus recipe): serve with pita, pretzels, and carrot sticks
- Soup or chili: store-bought or homemade
- Sandwich made with deli meat or chicken/egg/tuna salad on bread, roll, or bagel
- Pita or flatbread pizzas
- Baked white or sweet potatoes (made in the microwave) w/ toppings
- Oatmeal
- Protein shake or smoothie bowl
- Cottage cheese with fruit
- Chicken nuggets
- Salad w/ hard-boiled egg, chicken salad, chickpeas, tuna, or other protein
Make Ahead Lunch Ideas For Kids At Home
Here are lunch ideas that you and your kids can make ahead on the weekend to stash in the fridge for the week ahead. Want free printable shopping lists for the recipes below? Tap the button below.
- Muffins & Quick Breads: Can spread with nut/seed butter
- Snack Balls & Snack Bars
Add A Side
- Apple slices
- Banana
- Canned fruit or fruit cup
- Unsweetened applesauce or fruit sauce pouch
- Baby carrots + other prepped veggie sticks like carrots, peppers, and cucumbers
- Frozen veggies, such as peas or carrots
- Vegetable juice
- Fruit smoothie
- Leftover roasted veggies
- Raw broccoli or cauliflower + dip
- Dried or freeze-dried fruit
- Side salad
- Snap peas (buy them pre-washed)
- Melon balls or wedges
- Berries
- Cup of tomato, vegetable, or chicken soup (homemade or canned)
Packaged Lunch Ideas For Kids At Home
- Boxed macaroni & cheese
- Vegetarian dogs & patties (We like Boca and Morningstar Farms)
- Frozen edamame
- Frozen pasta (tortellini, ravioli, etc.)
- Hummus + baby carrots
- Oatmeal packets
- Cheese sticks
- Yogurt cups and tubs
- Ramen noodles + canned soup
- Cottage cheese
- Bagged salads
- Pre-washed/prepped veggies
- Chicken nuggets
- Mini meatballs
- Tuna and salmon pouches
I’m Sally, a dietitian-mom.
I believe that EVERY mom can feel successful and confident about feeindg her kids, lose the stress, and finally enjoy mealtime again.
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