Discover easy and healthy lunch options with our list of healthy lunch box ideas for kids. These ideas provide simple, nutritious foods. Say goodbye to lunchbox woes and hello to a healthier, happier mealtime for your kids.
We know packing a lunchbox that’s both tasty and nutritious for your child can be a challenge. That’s why we prepared this list of healthy lunch box ideas for kids.
Does this sound familiar? You pack a yummy, healthy lunch for your child. He comes home from school with maybe a couple of bites eaten or none at all.
You are frustrated because you want him to eat lunch and you worry that he will be hungry during the day.
If this sounds like you, keep reading for easy lunch box ideas that hopefully your child will eat.
So, where do you begin? You begin by involving your child. Children who help plan their lunch will be more likely to eat their lunch.
What Should I Put In My Child’s Lunchbox?
A lunch should include a source of protein, a carbohydrate, and at least one fruit and one vegetable. Don’t forget to include a healthy beverage.
It is easier plan lunches if you make a list of all of the lunch foods in each category that your child likes. Keep reading for a free printable of kid friendly lunch ideas.
Protein
Your child needs a source of protein with his lunch. Protein helps build muscles and provides energy.
Sources of protein includes:
- Sliced turkey or other sliced meats
- Peanut butter or other nuts (if allowed at your child’s school)
- Cheese stick
- Yogurt
Fruit and Vegetables
Offer at least 2 fruit / vegetable choices. Try to plan for 1 fruit and 1 vegetable.
Stores have fruits in fun packaging that makes it easier for busy moms. The fun packaging may help your child want to eat it.
Make sure your packaged fruit is packed in 100% fruit juice. This way your child doesn’t get any extra added sugar.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates provide energy. Did you know that carbohydrates are the primary fuel source for your child’s brain?
Some people refer to carbohydrates as starches or grains, but it includes a wide variety of foods.
Some examples include crackers, whole wheat bread, and oats.
Lunch Box Foods
Use this list as a guide with your child. Included below is a printable copy, so you can discuss it with your child.
Circle the foods on the list that your child wants for lunch. Write down the foods that he says he wants to eat.
Ask him if he wants the same food every day or different foods. Each week pull out the list and ask your child what he wants to eat for lunch the next week.
Protein Choices
- Cheese stick or cubed cheese
- Yogurt
- Sliced turkey or other sliced meat
- Peanut butter (if allowed at your school)
- Cottage cheese
Fruits Choices
- Orange slices or seedless easy to peel orange
- Apple slices
- Applesauce
- Peach slices
- Banana
- Mixed fruit
- Cut up melons (watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew)
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Dried fruit
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Blackberries
- Sliced kiwi
Vegetable Choices
- Carrot Sticks
- Cherry tomatoes
- Sliced cucumbers
- Sliced green, red, or orange peppers
- Mushrooms
- Salad
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
Carbohydrate Choices
- Whole wheat bread
- Tortillas
- Whole wheat pita bread
- Mini bagels
- Crackers
- Popcorn
- Granola
- Graham crackers
- Granola bars
- English muffin
Drink Choices
- 100% fruit juice (make sure it is 100% fruit juice)
- Milk – can be bought at school
- Water
Free Printable Lunch Box Ideas List
The free printable lunch box ideas list is for personal use only.
Click here for the free printable lunch box ideas list.
Lunch Box Ideas
- Peanut butter and jelly (if allowed at your school, otherwise try sunflower butter), carrot sticks and a banana.
- Turkey sandwich (or your child’s favorite sliced meat sandwich), sliced cucumbers, sliced tomatoes, and grapes.
- Sliced turkey with crackers, a small salad, and blueberries.
- Cheese with crackers, sliced red peppers, and cubed cantaloupe.
- Sliced turkey wrapped around a cheese stick, mini bagel, cherry tomatoes, and orange slices.
- Peanut butter on graham crackers, carrot sticks with ranch dressing, and mixed fruit.
- Sliced turkey and cheese rolled up in a tortilla, mushrooms, and applesauce.
- Cottage cheese with sliced peaches, graham crackers, and broccoli with ranch dressing.
If your child doesn’t like bread, try making a sandwich with a pita, an English muffin, or a bagel. Or you could try making a wrap using a tortilla.
To print this lunch box idea list, you can click on the picture below or you can download it to your computer.
Let’s Get Started Planning Lunches
Begin by talking to your child about his lunch. Ask him what he wants to eat. You can use our list of lunch box ideas to find out what your child wants to eat.
Find out why your child didn’t eat lunch.
Ask your child about his lunch. Don’t say in a frustrated voice, “why didn’t you eat your lunch? I spend a lot of time making it.” That will make your child feel defensive. He will feel frustrated and may feel sad about it.
Instead, ask open ended questions. Such as “tell me about your lunch.” Talk to him about what he didn’t like about his lunch.
Don’t get mad if your child says that he didn’t like his lunch. Simply, discuss foods that he would like.
It may be that your child feels rushed and doesn’t have enough time to eat. Occasionally my son came home with only bites of his lunch eaten.
When I asked him about it, he said he didn’t have enough time. So, we discussed foods that he thought he could eat quickly.
Ask your child what he wants to eat.
It seems simple enough. But many parents just make lunch without involving their kids.
I know that this is easier said than done. Responses can be “I don’t know” or they list foods that are inappropriate for a lunch box.
This is where you have to offer your kids choices. I included a list of lunch box ideas and you can discuss it with your child to find out what he wants to eat for lunch.
You can print the list and have your child circle foods he wants for lunch.
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Lunch Box Food Safety
Remember food safety when packing your child’s lunch. Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.
Use an insulated lunch bag. Also, use an ice pack to help keep cold food cold. A thermos can help keep hot foods hot.
Don’t forget to wash your child’s lunch box often.
Key Points to Remember
Packing a lunch for your child doesn’t have to be a challenge every day. Remember to involve your child. Ask him what he would like for lunch.
Discuss with your child that he needs to have a well-balanced lunch. This means he needs a protein, fruit and vegetable choices and carbohydrates.
The important thing to remember is not to get frustrated.
