Back to School Kids Lunch Ideas

Get the best 20 back to school kids’ lunch ideas that are quick and easy to prepare, healthy, and mostly no-cook. Plus a printable chart to mix & match lunches, creating endless combinations.

 

It’s time to go back to school!  Due to the current health situation, some will receive in-person learning while others will have virtual classes, a mix of both, or homeschooling. Whatever your school learning setup may be, these kids lunch ideas are great for them all!

There are several options to choose from — with room to switch things up if your kids’ tastes change on a whim. All of our 20 back to school lunch ideas are easy to put together (most by your own kids) and healthy. 

Most are no-cook lunches, while others can be cooked and assembled in less than 30 minutes.

Because of the health crisis, I would suggest for alcohol prep pads or mini sanitizer gel to be an essential companion for packed lunches or bento boxes – so that the kids can clean their hands properly before eating without crowding into a restroom at school.  

If you love bento boxes, you can also bring in cute accessories such as fun food picks and silicone baking cups.

I am sure your kids will also appreciate encouraging/thoughtful sticky notes or mini cards.

Wishing you and your kids a great school year!

20 BACK TO SCHOOL KIDS LUNCH IDEAS:

OPTION #1

• Hummus + Mini Pita Bread
• Grape Tomatoes
• Baby Carrots
• Apple slices

OPTION #2

• Turkey Wraps 
•  Sliced Oranges
• Yogurt Tube
• Baked Chips 

OPTION #3

• Cheese Quesadilla
• Creamy Avocado Dip (LINK)
• Celery Sticks
• Tortilla Chips
• Fresh Berries

OPTION #4

• Grape Tomato + Cheese Kabobs
• Pita Pockets + Hummus
• Pear
• Red Pepper Slices

OPTION #5

• BLT Sandwich
• Baby Carrots + Ranch
• Pretzels
• Peaches or Applesauce

OPTION #6

• Kale Pasta Salad (LINK)
• Yogurt
• Granola Bar
• Blueberries

OPTION #7

• Any Nut Butter & Jelly Sandwich
• Yogurt                                                                                                                            
• Apple
• Baby Carrots

OPTION #8

• Crackers
• Cheese Cubes
• Raspberries
• Protein Bar or Protein Cookie

OPTION #9

• Bagel + Cream Cheese
• Chocolate Milk
• Celery Sticks
• Raisins or Dried Fruits

OPTION #10

• Japanese Egg Salad Sandwich 
• Baby Carrots
• Grapes
• Granola Bar

OPTION #11

• Cucumber Sandwich 
• Broccoli
• Applesauce
• Rice Krispies or Rice Cakes

OPTION #12

• Hard-Boiled Eggs + cheese
• Toasts + Jam
• Sliced Mangoes
• Snap Peas

OPTION #13

• Apple Peanut Butter Sandwich Wraps 
• Cheese String
• Cheez it
• Cucumber

OPTION #14

• Veggie Cream Cheese Pinwheels                                                                                                            
• Blueberries
• Yogurt                                                                                                                           
• Pita Chips

OPTION #15

• Ham & Cheese Bento Box, which includes:
• Deli Ham and Cheese
• Kiwi     
• Bell Pepper Strips + Ranch Dressing 
• Crackers                                                                                                                                                

OPTION #16

• Chickpea Avocado Sandwich 
• Trail mix
• Apple
• Yogurt                                                 

OPTION #17                                                                                                             

• Greek Orzo Salad   
• Pita chips     
• Yogurt
• Grapes                           
  

OPTION #18

• DIY Nachos Lunchbox which includes:                                                                                                                 
•  Tortilla Chips+ Lettuce+ Cheese+ Tomatoes+ Guacamole                                      
• Apple                                                                                                           
•  Goldfish                                                                         

OPTION #19                                                                                                             

• Broccoli, Ham and Cheese Pop Tarts  
• Fruit Leather     
• Flavored Milk
• Berries                                             
  

OPTION #20                                                                                                              

• Brazilian Chicken Sandwich  
• Pudding cup                                                                                                                                                       
• Baby carrots
• Banana                                                                           

List of Kids Lunch Ideas

 MAIN MEAL  (Carb + Protein/Healthy Fat)

• Pita Bread + Hummus
• Cheese + Crackers
• Turkey Wraps
• Any Nut Butter + Jam Sandwich
• Hard-Boiled Eggs + Cheese
• Kale Pasta Salad
• Cheese Quesadilla
• Bagel + Cream Cheese
• Cucumber Sandwich                                                                                                
•  Tomato + Cheese Kabobs                                                                                           
• Apple Peanut Butter Sandwich Wrap                                                                                            
• Japanese Egg Salad Sandwich                                                                                                  
• BLT Sandwich Peanut Butter & Apple Roll-Up                                                          
• Veggie Cream Cheese Pinwheels                                                                                                                      
• Broccoli, Ham, and Cheese Pop Tarts                                                                      
• Chickpea Avocado Sandwich                                                                                 
• Ham & Cheese                                                                                                                                                 
• Orzo Salad                                                                                                             
• Nachos Lunchbox                                                                                             
• Chicken Salad Sandwich                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

FRUITS & VEGGIES:

• Oranges                                                                                                                                                         
• Banana
• Apples                                                                                                                           
• Pears
• Berries (all types)
• Grapes
• Peaches/Nectarines                                                                                                                       
• Raisins/ Dried Fruits
• Natural Applesauce
• Mangoes
• Melon                                                                                                                    
• Watermelon  
• Baby carrots 
• Celery sticks
• Cucumbers   
•  Corn Kernels   
•  Grape tomatoes   
•  Snap Peas

SIDES & SNACKS:

• Chips
• Granola Bar
• Pretzels
• Cheese String
• Yogurt
• Trail Mix
• Protein Bar or Protein Cookie
• Fruit Leather or Snacks
• Popcorn
• Cheez it/ Goldfish
• Fruit Cup/ Pudding Cup
• Graham Crackers
• Rice Krispies or Rice Cakes

DRINKS:

• Water Bottle
• 100% Juice Boxes
• Flavored Milk
• Smoothies

CHART: 

SCHOOL KIDS LUNCH IDEAS PRINTABLE: 

What do you serve in your kid’s lunchbox?

I hope our list of back to school kids lunch ideas gives you enough inspiration to pack a variety of healthy lunches in a short time… and that with the list in hand you can mix and match them, creating endless combinations.