They’re designed to walk that tightrope between good-for-you and kid-friendly. So if your little monsters hate the thought of anything wholesome, don’t panic. These quick and easy lunch ideas will keep them happy, full, and healthy. From pizza rolls to pasta salad, these 30 recipes are a great way to stop kids snacking throughout the day. They’ll be too full from quesadillas or homemade pretzels to stop by the candy store! Whether you have teenagers or tiny tots, give them the gift of gorgeous homemade meals. Nothing says ‘I love you’ like grilled cheese roll-ups.
30 Yummy School Lunch Ideas The Kids Will Love
1. Pizza Burgers
Start cooking these melted, delicious pizza burgers and every kid in the neighborhood will come running. The combination of gooey cheese, soft bun, and meaty pepperoni is basically child kryptonite. Your kids will go crazy for these lunchtime treats, so it’s a good thing they’re so easy to make!
2. Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwich
Creamy and light, these sophisticated snacks are bursting with unique flavors and textures. Smooth and crunchy, they’re made with thick cream cheese, crisp cucumbers, and fresh dill. The magic of this meal lies in the ingredients. Buy good quality bread, fresh herbs, and ripe cucumbers.
3. Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich
You can’t beat the classics, and there’s nothing cozier than a homemade grilled ham and cheese. Crunchy toasted bread, salty ham, gooey cheddar cheese – what’s not to love?! You can use almost any combination of ham and cheese here. Try peppered ham for a little kick, mix it up with a spicy pepper jack cheese or a smooth Swiss.
4. Homemade Sloppy Joe
Just because sloppy joes can get messy, doesn’t mean they’re not suitable for lunchboxes. With a bit of smart packing, you can get all the joy of this hamburger-laden sandwich at school. Just slice up a burger bun and pack it up separately from the meaty filling. When your child opens their lunch, they can assemble the two together and dive in! Of course, make sure you pack extra napkins, too. They are kids, after all.
5. Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich
A good grilled cheese is perfection on a plate, and they’re one of those meals that’s easy to make ahead and store in a lunchbox. Simply toast your bread, grill until the cheese goes gooey and delicious, then set it aside for lunch.
6. Egg Sandwich
Eggs are a delicious way to get more protein into active kids. This chunky egg sandwich is quick, easy, and very tasty. Made from chopped eggs, mayo, and mustard, the dense filling is irresistibly creamy.
7. Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
If you spent your childhood eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, you’re not alone. This time-honored treat is irresistible to kids. And it’s easy to see why! Salty, crunchy peanut butter and fruity jam are a match made in heaven, especially when spread onto thick slices of fresh bread and grilled until golden.
8. Cheese Quesadillas
These Mexican-style wraps are a great way to freshen up the lunchbox routine. Melty cheese is sandwiched between tortillas for a soft, chewy, and savory snack. Surprise your kids by sneaking in some salsa or sour cream to take this lunch to the next level.
9. Chicken Nuggets
Forget fast food nuggets and try this fun DIY recipe instead. They’re made with a simple flour and breadcrumb batter then fried or baked to crispy perfection. Pro tip – let these cool completely before storing them in an air-tight container as it will prevent them from going soggy.
10. Turkey and Cheddar Lunch Roll-Ups
These fun nibbles are really easy to whip up and are perfect for lunch boxes. They’re pretty pinwheels, loaded with turkey, cheese, lettuce, and cream cheese, all wrapped in a soft, floury tortilla. If you think you can get away with it, add some more veggies for extra nutrition. Tomatoes, avocado, or spinach leaves would work well.
11. Chicken Ranch Wraps
Healthy and hearty, these wraps are full of fresh ingredients and loads of mouth-watering tastes. Grilled chicken, crunchy lettuce, and a creamy ranch dressing – it’s the ultimate lunchtime feast.
12. Classic Pasta Salad
I love pasta salads. They’re easy, store well, and you can sneak in a lot of healthy ingredients. This recipe contains loads of colorful veggies, full of antioxidants. It’s a great cold lunch option for warm days.
13. Egg Salad
There’s a knack for egg salad. The secret is in perfecting the creamy dressing. This recipe nails it with a tangy yet creamy sauce that pairs perfectly with crunchy celery and sharp green onions.
14. Tuna Salad Sandwich
Fish is great for developing brains, so feed your kids this tuna salad sandwich, and they might just ace all their exams. But it’s not just good for brains, this recipe will keep their belly happy too. Serve it as part of a tuna melt, or pile it into a fuss-free sandwich. It’s delicious either way!
15. Chicken Waldorf Salad
This hearty salad is a mouth-watering medley of fruits, shredded chicken, walnuts, and celery. The great thing about this versatile recipe is how easy it is to adapt. If your child hates chicken, swap in ham or turkey. If they won’t eat walnuts, throw in some cashews or pecans instead!
16. Homemade Hummus
Whip up a big batch of this hummus and lunch is sorted for the week. For the ultimate easy lunch, just pack it up with chips or vegetables for a tasty, meze-style meal.
17. Homemade Lunchables
Kids love Lunchables. That’s just a fact. But parents aren’t always as enthusiastic. Be sure your kid is getting all the goodness, but none of the additives with this healthy, homemade alternative.
18. Bagel With Homemade Cream Cheese
There are three different flavors with this gorgeous recipe, so your kid has plenty of choices. Select from strawberry, chocolate, or garlic & herb. Or try all three and enjoy bagels all week long!
19. Turkey Sandwich
If you have leftover turkey lurking in the fridge after the holidays, turn it into easy sandwiches for your family. Laced with cranberry sauce, these sweet and savory sandwiches are the perfect antidote to turkey fatigue.
20. Roast Beef Sandwiches
Filling and flavorful, these thick sandwiches are like a homemade version of a Philly steak sub. They’re made with deli roast beef, sautéed peppers, and onions, all topped with melted pepper jack cheese and piled onto a toasted hoagie bun.
21. Veggie Wrap
This is the wrap that’ll get your kids to eat their greens. It’s a delicious combo of spinach, avocado, carrot, and cucumbers, layered between bread along with a scoop of healthy hummus.
22. Grilled Cheese Roll Ups
If your mini-me loves mini-food, this is the recipe for them. It takes all the things they love about grilled cheese but serves it up in adorable rolls!
23. Pepperoni Pizza Rolls
An instant kid-pleaser, these crispy pizza rolls are crazy good. They’re packed with mozzarella and pepperoni and served with a dipping sauce for extra yumminess.
24. Cheese Board Lunch Box
Some kids play by the rules, and some like to do their own thing. If you have one of the latter at home, they’ll love this DIY cheeseboard. Play with different types of cheeses, dips, and sides to assemble their own unique lunch. You’re never too young to learn that food can be fun!
25. Homemade Soft Pretzels
Even new bakers can make these easy and delicious homemade pretzels. And you can get the kids involved too, so they can see exactly what’s going into their lunch boxes. The dough is made with just 6 ingredients and doesn’t take long to rise. The fun part is shaping your bread. Make them into knots, or go big and braid them. You can’t go wrong!
26. Mac and Cheese Bites
Ok, they’re not exactly healthy fare, but these homemade mac n’ cheese bites are much better than the store-bought equivalent. They’re also a great way to use up any leftover macaroni. Add a sprinkling of flour, some seasonings, then roll into balls and fry until crispy.
27. Peanut Butter Toast
There’s more to peanut butter toast than spreading nut butter on bread. This recipe turns it into an art, with suggestions on toppings, technique, and extra touches to make things even tastier.
28. BLT Sandwich
A good BLT hits all the food groups, making it a great grab n’ go meal for kids. There’s protein-packed bacon, healthy greens, and nutritious tomatoes, and don’t forget the energy-boosting bread. This chunky sandwich is just what your kid needs to get from lunch to dinner.
29. Veggie Sandwich
Kids aren’t generally big fans of vegetables, but this sandwich might just change their minds. It’s full of colors, flavors, and textures so kids can get really creative. Try crunchy cucumber, sweet carrots, tangy tomatoes, earthy spinach, or whatever you have in the fridge.
30. English Muffin Pizzas
You might need to hide these amazing muffins from the adult members of the household. Otherwise, they’ll be devoured before they make it into the kids’ lunch boxes! They’re classic kid comfort food, made from soft muffin bases topped with tangy tomato sauce, pepperoni, and two different types of cheese. Click on a star to rate it!
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