Do you need some quick and easy lunch box ideas to combat the almost here back to school craziness?
And that means school supplies, new clothes, and trying to figure out what to pack in those lunch boxes that won’t be traded away at the cafeteria table.
Well, it just so happens I have some quick and easy lunch box ideas that will have your kids calling you Mrs. Incredible!
When my son started school, I wanted to pack his lunch because I remember what the lunches were like at my school – not so good! I wanted to send delicious, healthy food he would enjoy eating.
Over the years, I have honed my skills and can even get a lot of my prep work done on Sunday night for lunches through the week . Then all I have to do, in the rush of the hectic school mornings, is throw everything in the lunch box and out the door we go. That’s why I love these quick and easy lunch box ideas – because I can do the work ahead of time and the rest of the week is simple!
Here are some of my best ideas for lunches to help make you the lunchroom Supermom!
10 Quick and Easy Lunch Box Ideas
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What are some good lunch ideas for school?
All the ideas listed below are great for lunch ideas for school. It is best to fix small portions of food and have lots of options for them to choose. Also make it fun with a new shapes, such as a rolled sandwich or cut into different shapes that they are used to. The best part is getting them involved in helping make their lunch. Give them two or three healthy choices. This makes them feel like they have a choice, but you are helping them still make a healthy choice. It is a win win for lunch.
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Use an easy dough recipe, and layer ham and cheese inside. Roll up the dough and cook then slice in small circles. Secure with a pretzels and make spiders and pack along with fruit, chips and honey mustard to dip. You can find complete instructions here.
Pizza Roll Ups
Use a flour tortilla and spread some tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce on it. Add ham or pepperoni and cheese and roll up. Easy and delicious!
“Home”ables
These are like a store-bought Lunchable but made by you at half the price! Find a divided lunch box like this one. You can make the ham and cheese with crackers (round crackers, ham, cheese of choice and a treat) or even the pizza ones (tortillas cut into circles with tomato sauce and shredded cheese).
Secret Sandwiches
Use dinner rolls to make sandwiches. Cut a small hole in the bottom of the roll, mash the inside of the roll to make room, and add in the meat and cheese of your choice. Push the bottom of the roll together and let your kids find the surprise!
Peanut Butter & Jelly Sushi
Cut crusts off one slice of bread, flatten bread with rolling pin like this one, and spread peanut butter and jelly over the bread. Roll into a tight spiral, and cut into 4 pieces. Looks like a sushi roll (but tastes better!).
Two Tone Sandwich
This is so easy, you will want to make it all the time. Use one slice of white bread and one of wheat. Make the sandwich your child likes, then use a small cookie cutter like these to cut out the shape in the middle of the sandwich. You can make any shape you want and for any holiday, too!
Cheesy Pretzel Sticks
Cut cheese into cubes (or buy cheese already cubed) and bring cubes to room temperature. Once soft, put a small pretzel rod into each. Send for lunch with dipping sauce if desired.
Instant Noodle Soup
If your kids like ramen, this is an easy (and healthier!) version to send for school. Use a thermos (like this 16 oz thermos) and pour boiling water into thermos to heat while you prepare other ingredients. Cut spaghetti noodles into small lengths, and boil additional 2 cups of water. Pour water from thermos and add spaghetti noodles, 2 teaspoons of any flavor bouillon, and dried minced onion. Add boiling water to cover. Seal and turn thermos upside down to ensure all ingredients mix well. When your child opens at lunch – warm noodle soup!
Lunch Fondue
This sounds weird, but my kids loved it! Cut bread, ham, and other lunch items into cubes. Place into small individual containers. Put melted cheese into a container and provide a fork or toothpicks. Kids can dip ham, bread or even crackers and pretzel sticks into the melted cheese. You can even use carrots with ranch dip. Or use cubes of leftover cake or cookies and provide strawberry glaze or jelly to dip in for a sweet treat dessert!
PBJ with Apples
Use a large flour tortilla and spread peanut butter and jelly on the surface. Add thinly sliced apples without skins and roll up for a delicious sandwich with a surprising crunch!
So there you have it – some new ideas to pack in your kids’ lunches this school year to make them think you are Mrs. Incredible!
What should I pack my toddler for lunch?
Packing lunch for a toddler you want to make everything in bite size pieces. This helps with fine motor skills and well as it makes lunch fun to eat. Pack a protein about the size of their little hand in a fist. Cut veggies up small where they can dip in a sauce or dip. A great example would be carrots dipped in hummus or broccoli and mock-a-mole. See up above for more fun lunchbox ideas for toddlers.
What should I bring for lunch?
Use these ideas in the lunch box with my Easy No Bake Birds Nest cookies or even the healthy White Chocolate Cranberry bars and lunch is done in no time flat. Find more tips how to pack your kids lunchbox like a pro and exactly what to purchase. Get FREE Lunchbox Printables here.
What should I pack for a healthy lunch?
To keep lunch healthy, pack lots of veggies.
Do you have any go-to, never fail lunchtime treats your kids ask for every day? Share them below in the comments. And if you use the lunch ideas above, let me know what your kids think about them on my Facebook page!
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