Kids Lunch Ideas | Easy & Tasty Meals

 Kids lunch ideas should be filled with flavor and packed with nutrients that keep young minds, and bodies running throughout the day. Whether at school or home, the best lunches merge familiar favorites with creative touches: try mini hand-held sandwich roll-ups, veggie-studded pasta salad and the assembly-line lunchbox taco. Colorful fruits, crunchy veggies, lean protein, whole grains: put all these together for balanced nutrition.

Then you can use fun shapes and themes to keep the fun factor high at mealtime. These lunch ideas are easily prepared and sure to please even the pickiest eater or biggest appetite.

With the correct mix of taste and nutrition, lunch is something kids think about every day.

Kids Lunch Ideas

Here are 30+ kid-friendly lunch ideas that are nutritious, fun, and easy to prepare for school or home. These meals are designed to appeal to kids’ tastes while offering a variety of healthy ingredients:

Sandwiches & Wraps

1. Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups

2. Peanut Butter and Jelly on Whole Grain Bread

3. Chicken Caesar Wrap

4. Mini Ham & Cheese Sandwiches

5. Veggie and Hummus Wraps

6. Tuna Salad Sandwiches

7. Chicken and Avocado Pita Pockets

8. Grilled Cheese with Tomato Slices

9. Egg Salad Sandwich

10. Turkey, Spinach, and Cheese Wrap

Bento Box Ideas

11. Fruit and Cheese Skewers with Whole Wheat Crackers

12. Mini Quesadillas with Salsa and Guacamole

13. Carrot Sticks, Cucumber Slices, and Hummus

14. Chicken Nuggets with a Side of Veggies and Fruit

15. Rice Balls with Vegetables and Sesame Seeds

16. Mini Pita Pockets with Turkey, Cheese, and Lettuce

17. Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Cucumber

18. Diced Chicken with Baby Carrots and Ranch Dip

19. Cheese Cubes with Grapes and Whole Grain Crackers

20. Hard-Boiled Eggs, Veggie Sticks, and Pita Bread

Salads & Veggie-Loaded Dishes

21. Chicken and Veggie Pasta Salad

22. Quinoa Salad with Black Beans, Corn, and Lime

23. Rainbow Veggie Salad with Dressing

24. Greek Salad with Cucumbers, Tomatoes, and Feta

25. Avocado, Chicken, and Corn Salad

26. Cucumber and Tomato Salad with Mozzarella

27. Spinach, Strawberry, and Chicken Salad

28. Carrot, Apple, and Raisin Salad

29. Chicken Tenders with Sweet Potato Fries and Broccoli

30. Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwiches with Carrot Sticks

Hot Lunch Ideas

31. Mini Pizzas on Whole Wheat English Muffins

32. Mac and Cheese with Hidden Veggies

33. Grilled Chicken with Brown Rice and Steamed Veggies

34. Veggie Stir-Fry with Tofu or Chicken

35. Mini Meatballs with Marinara and Veggie Sticks

36. Homemade Chicken Tenders with a Side of Applesauce

37. Cheese-Stuffed Tortellini with Marinara Sauce

38. Veggie Frittata with Cheese

39. Baked Sweet Potatoes with Black Beans and Corn

Kids Lunch Ideas Recipes

1. Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups

Ingredients:

• 4 slices of turkey breast
• 4 slices of cheddar or Swiss cheese
• 2 tablespoons cream cheese
• 4 lettuce leaves

Steps:

1. Put a slice of turkey breast flat down on a clean pan.
2. Spread a line of cream cheese on top.
3. Put some leaves, lettuce leat or two slices of cheese for example, on the breast.
4. Roll together.
5. If desired, cut into bite-sized pieces and serve

2. Peanut Butter and Jelly on Whole Grain Bread

Ingredients:

• 2 slices whole-grain bread
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons fruit jelly or jam

Steps:

1. Spread peanut butter in even quantity on one slice of bread
2. now while spreading jelly in equal amounts on the other slice.
3. Bring the two slices together.
4. Continue cutting it through to end up with half or quarters.

3. Chicken Caesar Wrap

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked, shredded chicken
• 2 tablespoons Caesar dressing
• 1 tortilla wrap
• ½ cup chopped romaine lettuce
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

1. Put chicken in a large bowl and mix in dressing.
2. Lay out the tortilla and spread the lettuce equally.
3. Put parmesan cheese on top of the chicken mixture and roll it with the tortilla closed.
4. Slice in half for serving.

4. Mini Ham & Cheese Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 4 mini sandwich rolls
• 8 slices deli ham
• 4 slices cheese (American, cheddar, or Swiss)
• 2 tablespoons mustard or mayonnaise

Steps:

1. Open each mini roll.
2. Both sides with mustard or mayonnaise.
3. And one slice of cheese onto each roll.
4. Eat right away or take away with you.

5. Veggie and Hummus Wraps

Ingredients:

• 1 tortilla wrap
• 3 tablespoons hummus
• ¼ cup shredded carrots
• ¼ cup cucumber slices
• ¼ cup bell pepper strips
• ¼ cup baby spinach

Steps:

1. Thickly cover the tortilla with hummus.
2. Place all veggies on top of the hummus.
3. Tightly roll up the tortilla.
4. For more manageability, split it in half.

6. Tuna Salad Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 1 can tuna, drained
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon mustard (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 slices whole grain bread
• Lettuce leaves

Steps:

1. In a bowl, mix together tuna, mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper.
2. Spread the tuna salad over one slice of bread.
3. Lay lettuce on top.
4. Cover with the second slice of bread.

7. Chicken and Avocado Pita Pockets

Ingredients:

• 1 cooked chicken breast, diced
• 1 ripe avocado, diced
• 2 pita pockets
• 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
• ½ teaspoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Mash avocado in a bowl, add a bit of yogurt and lemon juice
2. Mix well with not over-stirring
3. If you would like to, season with some salt left over from salting the chicken
4. Halve and gently open pita pockets
5. Add this unevenly to them

8. Grilled Cheese with Tomato Slices

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of bread
• 2 slices of cheese (American, cheddar, or mozzarella)
• 4 slices of fresh tomato
• 1 tablespoon butter

Steps:

1. Cover one side of each slice with butter.
2. Cheese and tomato slices are laid out on the unbuttered side.
3. The second piece of bread, crustier and with the butter facing out, is added on top.
4. Over a medium heat cook until the bread is a golden brown on both sides and the cheese has melted.
5. Slice and serve.

9. Egg Salad Sandwich

Ingredients:

• 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• ½ teaspoon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 slices whole-grain bread
• Lettuce leaves (optional)

Steps:

1. Spread this egg salad the first piece of bread.
2. Depending on your preference, add some lettuce.
3. The second piece goes on top.
4. Cut it into serving-size pieces.

10. Turkey, Spinach, and Cheese Wrap

Ingredients:

• 1 tortilla wrap
• 4 slices of turkey breast
• 1 slice provolone or cheddar cheese
• ½ cup baby spinach
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise or mustard

Steps:

1. Smear a tortilla with a little sandwich for flavoring.
2. Place slices of turkey breast followed by cheese and spinach on the lettuce leaf.
3. Take up tortilla very tightly.
4. Cut in half and serve.