Feeling stuck in a lunch rut? No worries! Here are 30 easy and tasty school lunch ideas for kids that will make lunchtime fun and exciting. These options are simple to prepare and will keep your little ones happy and fueled for their day at school.
Contents
- 1. Cheese Quesadillas with Salsa
- 2. Mini Pita Pockets with Chicken Salad
- 3. Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups
- 4. Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches
- 5. Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits
- 6. Vegetable and Hummus Cups
- 7. Veggie Sushi Rolls
- 8. Homemade Pizza Muffins
- 9. Apple and Cheese Snack Packs
- 10. Egg Salad on Whole Wheat Bread
- 11. Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders
- 12. Pasta Salad with Veggies
- 13. Taco Salad in a Jar
- 14. Chicken and Rice Wraps
- 15. Caprese Skewers
- 16. Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwiches
- 17. Stuffed Bell Peppers
- 18. Rice Cakes with Nut Butter and Berries
- 19. Quinoa and Black Bean Salad
- 20. Chocolate-Dipped Fruit
- 21. Turkey and Apple Roll-Ups
- 22. Cheesy Broccoli Egg Muffins
- 23. Build-Your-Own Cracker Stackers
- 24. Mini Banana Muffins with Cheese Stick
- 25. Noodle Snack Box with Edamame
- 26. Apple Sandwiches with Almond Butter and Granola
- 27. Savory Sweet Potato Pancakes
- 28. Mini Zucchini Pizza Bites
- 29. Fruit Kabobs with Honey-Cinnamon Yogurt Dip
- 30. Oatmeal Energy Balls
1. Cheese Quesadillas with Salsa
Cheese quesadillas are a hit for school lunches! They are quick to make and kids love the gooey cheese. Pair them with salsa for a tasty dip that adds a fun twist!
2. Mini Pita Pockets with Chicken Salad
Mini pita pockets filled with chicken salad are a fun and tasty lunch option for kids. They’re easy to make and can be packed with veggies for extra crunch. Plus, kids love the hands-on experience of filling their own pitas!
3. Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups
Turkey and cheese roll-ups are a fun and easy lunch option for kids. Just take slices of turkey and cheese, roll them up, and pack them with some fresh veggies on the side. They’re tasty, quick to make, and perfect for little hands!
4. Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches
Peanut butter and banana sandwiches are a quick and tasty option for school lunches. Just spread some peanut butter on bread, add banana slices, and you’re good to go! Kids love the sweet and creamy combo, making lunchtime a hit.
5. Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits
Fruit and yogurt parfaits are a fun and tasty way to pack in some nutrition for your kids’ school lunches. Layer yogurt with fresh fruits like strawberries and blueberries, and add a sprinkle of granola for crunch. They’re easy to make and can be customized with your child’s favorite flavors!
6. Vegetable and Hummus Cups
Vegetable and hummus cups are a fun and healthy lunch option for kids. Just pack some colorful veggies like carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers with a small container of hummus for dipping. This tasty combo is not only nutritious but also super easy to prepare!
7. Veggie Sushi Rolls
Veggie sushi rolls are a fun and healthy lunch option for kids. Packed with colorful veggies and rice, they are easy to make and even easier to eat. Pair them with a little soy sauce for a tasty dip that kids will love!
8. Homemade Pizza Muffins
Homemade pizza muffins are a fun and easy lunch option for kids. They are packed with cheese, pepperoni, and all the flavors of pizza in a muffin form. Plus, they’re simple to make and perfect for little hands to enjoy!
9. Apple and Cheese Snack Packs
Apple and cheese snack packs are a fun and healthy option for school lunches. Kids will love the crunchy apple slices paired with creamy cheese cubes. This combo is not only tasty but also provides a good mix of nutrients to keep them energized throughout the day.
10. Egg Salad on Whole Wheat Bread
Egg salad on whole wheat bread is a classic school lunch that kids love. It’s creamy, tasty, and packed with protein to keep them energized. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be customized with their favorite veggies or seasonings!
11. Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders
Oven-baked chicken tenders are a hit for school lunches! They are crispy, tasty, and easy to make. Pair them with some veggies and a dip for a fun and healthy meal.
12. Pasta Salad with Veggies
Pasta salad is a fun and colorful option for school lunches. Mix your favorite pasta with fresh veggies like cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and olives for a tasty treat. It’s easy to make and perfect for kids who love to munch on something crunchy!
13. Taco Salad in a Jar
Taco salad in a jar is a fun and easy lunch option for kids. Layered with beans, cheese, and fresh veggies, it’s colorful and tasty. Just pack it up, and your little ones will enjoy a delicious meal at school!
14. Chicken and Rice Wraps
Chicken and rice wraps are a fun and tasty lunch option for kids. They are easy to make and packed with flavor, combining tender chicken, rice, and colorful veggies all wrapped in a soft tortilla. These wraps are not only delicious but also a great way to sneak in some healthy ingredients!
15. Caprese Skewers
Caprese skewers are a fun and tasty way to pack a healthy lunch. Just stack fresh mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, and basil leaves on a stick for a colorful treat. Kids will love the bite-sized goodness and you’ll appreciate how easy they are to make!
16. Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwiches
Cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches are a fun and refreshing lunch option for kids. They are easy to make and can be cut into fun shapes for added excitement. These sandwiches are not only tasty but also a great way to sneak in some veggies!
17. Stuffed Bell Peppers
Stuffed bell peppers are a fun and colorful lunch option for kids. You can fill them with rice, beans, cheese, and any veggies your little ones love. They’re easy to make and packed with flavor, making lunchtime exciting!
18. Rice Cakes with Nut Butter and Berries
Rice cakes topped with nut butter and fresh berries make a fun and healthy school lunch. They are easy to prepare and packed with flavor. Kids will love the crunchy texture and sweet taste!
19. Quinoa and Black Bean Salad
Quinoa and black bean salad is a tasty and healthy option for school lunches. It’s packed with protein and fiber, making it a filling choice for kids. Plus, it’s super easy to prepare and can be customized with their favorite veggies!
20. Chocolate-Dipped Fruit
Chocolate-dipped fruit is a fun and tasty treat that kids will love. Just dip strawberries or bananas in melted chocolate and let them cool. It’s a simple way to add a sweet twist to their lunch!
21. Turkey and Apple Roll-Ups
Turkey and apple roll-ups are a sweet and savory lunch idea that kids love. They’re packed with protein from the turkey and a little crunch from the apples. Plus, they’re easy to roll up and slice into fun, bite-sized pieces!
22. Cheesy Broccoli Egg Muffins
Cheesy broccoli egg muffins are a great way to sneak in veggies at lunchtime. They’re full of protein, easy to prep ahead, and perfect for little hands. Kids can enjoy them warm or cold, making them super versatile!
23. Build-Your-Own Cracker Stackers
Build-your-own cracker stackers turn lunch into a fun, hands-on activity. They include protein, carbs, and dairy for a balanced meal that’s anything but boring. Kids can mix and match their favorite combos at school!
24. Mini Banana Muffins with Cheese Stick
Mini banana muffins with a cheese stick are a simple and satisfying lunch box combo. The muffins give a boost of natural sweetness and fiber, while the cheese adds protein and calcium. It’s a kid-approved pairing you can prep in advance!
25. Noodle Snack Box with Edamame
A noodle snack box with edamame is a fun, slurp-worthy lunch that’s full of energy. It’s light yet filling, with protein from the edamame and carbs from the noodles. Best of all, it’s tasty cold—no reheating needed!
26. Apple Sandwiches with Almond Butter and Granola
Apple sandwiches with almond butter and granola are a fun, crunchy lunch that packs a punch of sweetness and protein. The crisp apple slices, creamy almond butter, and crunchy granola make for a snack that’s as delicious as it is satisfying—no cooking required!
27. Savory Sweet Potato Pancakes
Savory sweet potato pancakes are a warm and hearty option that’s perfect for a school lunch. With a delicious combo of sweet potatoes and a hint of maple syrup, these pancakes are filling and nutritious, served with a side of creamy yogurt for dipping.
28. Mini Zucchini Pizza Bites
Mini zucchini pizza bites offer a savory, bite-sized lunch that’s full of flavor. With melty cheese, tangy marinara, and a crisp zucchini base, they’re a fun twist on traditional pizza—great for eating cold or room temperature.
29. Fruit Kabobs with Honey-Cinnamon Yogurt Dip
Fruit kabobs with honey-cinnamon yogurt dip are a sweet and refreshing lunch idea that’s both fun and nutritious. Kids will love the colorful fruit combinations, and the creamy yogurt dip adds a perfect balance of sweetness and spice.
30. Oatmeal Energy Balls
Oatmeal energy balls are a no-bake, bite-sized treat that’s packed with energy and flavor. With oats, peanut butter, and a touch of honey, they’re a perfect sweet snack that provides lasting fuel for the day, no fridge or reheating needed!
Nathaniel Lee is an avid cook, drawing on his decades of home cooking and fine dining experience. He is a contributing chef at Mashed, and his recipes and contributions have been featured in Tasting Table, Edible Arrangements, Insanely Good Recipes, and The Daily Meal.
