Simple & Fun School Lunch Ideas for Kids
If there is one thing I’ve learned as a mom over the years, it’s that meal planning truly never ends. I swear, sometimes 80% of my brain is just trying to figure out what everyone is eating ten different times a day!
And school lunches are absolutely no exception.
Over the years we’ve gone through so many different lunch phases depending on ages, schedules, appetites, or what my kids were suddenly refusing to eat that week. We’ve done the simple snack plate lunches and bento box style meals, the classic sandwiches, frozen PB&Js from Costco (seriously, thank you, Costco sales), and even the school cafeteria lunches once the boys got older and wanted a little more independence.
Somewhere around upper elementary school, we finally settled into a combination that works best for us: keeping things simple and filling enough for growing boys, and mixing homemade lunches with school lunches throughout the week to make life easier.
Because the whole process of constantly coming up with new school lunch ideas can become mentally exhausting as a mom. Especially when you are already juggling breakfasts, dinners, snacks, grocery shopping, activities, and all of the other moving pieces that come with school season (I feel exhausted just writing that sentence, ha!)
That’s exactly why I asked other moms to share some of their favorite school lunch ideas, and lunchbox wins that their kids actually enjoy! Whether you are packing lunches for preschoolers who still think themed lunchboxes are the greatest thing ever, or older kids who suddenly became “too cool” for everything overnight (ugh, I miss those younger years sometimes), I hope this roundup helps take at least a little stress off your school lunch planning.
Inside you’ll find easy lunchbox ideas for kids, homemade Lunchables, simple wraps, pinwheels, fun themed lunches, and realistic school lunch ideas that work for busy moms and hungry kids alike!
Dinosaur Lunch Box Idea
BY cultivating brillant minds
Freezable Pizza Pockets
BY mommy evolution
Turkey and Cheese Pinwheels
BY lauren fit foodie
PB & Jelly Banana Sushi Tortilla Wrap
by kim schob
DIY Homemade Uncrustable Sandwiches *Freezer Friendly*
BY simply well balanced
Easy Zoo Themed Lunch
BY the soccer mom blog
Homemade Mini Pizza Bites
BY in the kitch
Homemade Nacho Lunchable
by Momables
Flower Garden Lunch
BY cultivating brillant minds
Soccer Themed Lunch
BY the soccer mom blog
Turkey & Cheese Hot Pockets with Crescent Rolls
BY SENSE & EDIBILITY
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