Back to school and school lunch ideas can be difficult, if your family is like mine. We usually end up throwing the same things in the lunch boxes each time and then as the year progresses less and less of it is eaten. We end up throwing away a bunch of food and my mommy worry kicks in wondering if they have enough food for energy throughout the day.
Full transparency the kids always decide in the morning if they are eating school lunch or if they are bringing it from home, which is part of our dilemma. I love meal planning and prepping but the kiddos don’t always see the fun in this :).
So, this year I am going to hang this list up in the house as a cute Canva design and the kids will be able to pick from these things as they are all made up of items we usually have in the house anyway.
I am also going to laminate this so if there is an option we don’t have the ingredients for, like if we run out of turkey slices, then I can easily use a dry-erase marker to cross it off showing them it isn’t a choice right now but I can erase it when we get more turkey.
Leave a comment below with your favorite back-to-school lunch ideas for the kids!
Here is an Easy List of Back to School Kids Lunches
- Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups: Use a tortilla and roll it up with turkey slices, cheese, and a sprinkle of spinach. Pair with baby carrots and a small container of hummus.
- DIY Mini Pizzas: Pack English muffins, pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella, and their favorite toppings (like pepperoni, bell peppers, or sliced ham). Let the kids assemble their own mini pizzas at lunchtime.
- Chicken and Veggie Quesadillas: Use leftover chicken, shredded cheese, and a mix of bell peppers and corn. Cook the quesadilla on both sides until golden brown and pack with a side of salsa and guacamole. Use this Thermos container to keep it warm.
- Greek Yogurt Parfait: Layer Greek yogurt with granola, fresh berries, and a drizzle of honey. Include a side of apple slices and a small handful of almonds (if allowed) for a perfect meal.
- Pasta Salad: Combine pasta with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, black olives, and diced chicken or ham. Toss with Italian dressing. Add a side of string cheese and a piece of fruit.
- Veggie and Hummus Wraps: Spread hummus on a tortilla and fill it with cucumber slices, shredded carrots, bell peppers, and lettuce. Roll it up tightly and slice it into pinwheels.
- Egg Muffins: Whip up a batch of egg muffins with spinach, cheese, and diced ham or turkey. These can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for a quick grab-and-go option. Pair with a side of grapes and a yogurt tube. Heat the egg muffins and use this Thermos to keep them warm.
- Bento Box: Create a bento box with a variety of small portions: sliced turkey breast, pepperoni slices, salami slices, cheese cubes, cherry tomatoes, grapes, crackers, and a few dark chocolate chips as a treat.
- DIY Lunchables: Create a fun, homemade version with crackers, slices of turkey, chicken or ham, cheese cubes, and a side of apple slices or clementines.
- Banana and Almond Butter Sandwich: Use whole grain bread, spread almond butter on both slices and add banana slices in between. Add a side of baby carrots and celery with ranch.
- Chicken and Veggie Wraps: Use tortillas, grilled chicken, and a variety of veggies like bell peppers, cucumbers, and spinach, with a little hummus or ranch.
- Mini Meatballs: Baked turkey or chicken meatballs with a side of marinara sauce for dipping, baby carrots, a side of ranch, and a mozzarella cheese stick.
- Cereal and milk: Pour milk into a Thermos, put a healthy cereal into a different container with a lid, a banana, and snap peas and ranch on the side.