Looking for easy back-to-school lunch ideas and not sure where to start? Has the new school year crept up on you and not sure where to start? These easy back-to-school lunch ideas for kids will help you get organized for the busy year ahead, and make you a hero during lunchtime!
If you are anything like me, then you know how overwhelmed I get when it comes to packing my kids’ lunches. I usually start the week off strong, but by Thursday or Friday, I either cave for hot lunch, or they get stale crackers and a toothpick.
A couple of years ago I put together some make-ahead lunches for them and they were easy to grab and go when I was packing them in the mornings. This year I decided to bring that back and take you along.
One thing I always do with my kiddos, is get a feel for what foods they will be wanting and work around that. I’m excited to share these with you in hopes that they are helpful for you. Comment down below letting me know which lunch option you like the best.
Best School Lunch Products You Need
Here are the products we use for their lunches, feel free to browse and see if any fit into your family’s needs. These are all really helpful when I’m prepping their lunches for the week.
- Sistema Salad Container– For the kiddos who enjoy salad OR a bunch of different foods (We call this “Girl Dinner”
- 10 Pack Food Storage Containers– Great value!
- Nest It Food Storage Containers with Lids– I like that these nest together for easy storage
- Bento Box Lunch Box Meal Prep Containers with Lids– This has a section for everything
- Lunch Cube– I love that this has separate containers so nothing touches
- Dressing Food Storage– These are amazing for ketchup or ranch
I love prepping a few different types of lunches all at once so we can grab and go in the mornings. Having different containers for each option is super handy, especially when dealing with small kiddos.
Here are the lunch boxes we used last year. They lasted so well and have so many different prints. Let me know down below which you like best.
- 5 Compartment Bento-Style Kids Lunch Box– These wash up really easily in the dishwasher and don’t hold any smell (which is good because I forget about them a time or two)
- Bentgo® Kids Lunch Bag– I can toss these in the washer for easy clean up OR wipe them down in between days
And lastly, here are a few other necessities for their lunches that I’ve included. A good ice pack is crucial, especially when you live in AZ like us:
- Bentgo® Buddies Reusable Ice Packs– For the space lover
- Slim & Long-Lasting Reusable Ice Packs
- Days of the Week Ice Blocks– I love how slim these are
- Reusable & Flexible Soft Ice Packs– These are also perfect for ouchies and booboos
What To Pack For Picky Eaters?
I ask this question all the time. Have you seen my kids at a restaurant? They change what they enjoy every other day. But I have found a few picky eater-proof lunch options and have included them below. Have your kiddos tried any of these?
- PB&J- I love the idea of making Uncrustable myself, but I’d much rather get them from Costco, ready to go. Plus, it’s a great snack for moms too. But I did venture out and get the Uncrustable maker from Amazon and so far it’s been fun.
- Butter Noodles- My daughter swears by these and I can’t wait to make them this year. I got a thermos to help keep them hot until lunchtime.
- Cheese and crackers Lunchables
- Pizza Lunchables
- Fruit & Meat “Kid-Cuterie Box”
What Are Non-Sandwich Lunch Ideas?
Sandwiches can get boring after a few days, so finding nonsandwich lunch options is always the goal. Here are a few options that are a hit with my kiddos.
Home-Made Pizza Luncheables
These are super simple to make. All you need it:
- Pita bread or bagels
- Pizza sauce
- Cheese
- Toppings- my kids love pepperoni and pineapple
Cut up the bread of choice into fourths, stick sauce in a container, and add in your cheese and toppings. Don’t forget a knife for them to spread the sauce. This is super simple and a win every time!
Butter Noodles
My daughter absolutely lives on these, and they are fairly easy to make… If you want to get up from watching Netflix. What shows are you loving, by the way? All you need is 4 ingredients:
- Pasta of choice. I always try and find a fun shape Homegoods has fun, different types
- Butter- I use both stick and spreadable
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt
Boil pasta till desired softness. Once drained, add butter to the pasta and let melt. I like to be able to see the butter on the noodles, so I tend to use it quite a bit.
Add in your parmesan cheese and salt and you’re good to go! I always hand the cheese to my daughter for her to add more if she’d like.
I am looking forward to using their thermos’ for this exact recipe. Then it’s nice a hot when they eat their lunches.
Cracker & Salami “Kid-Cuterie Box”
What’s better than small snacks in one box? My kids love having crackers, meat, and cheese to put together on their own. It’s tasty, full of protein, and fun for me to make for them.
Shop The Post
Uncrustable Maker | Days of the Week Ice Packs | Bento Box Lunch Box Meal Prep Containers with Lids | Thermos | Bentgo® Kids Prints Leak-Proof, 5-Compartment | Sistema Nest It Food Storage Containers with Lids | Bentgo® Buddies Reusable Ice Packs Rockets | Sistema To Go Collection Dressing Food Storage Containers | Sistema Food Storage 3-Pack | Reusable & Flexible Soft Ice Packs | Lunch Cube Compact Food Storage Container | Healthy Packers Ice Pack for Lunch Box | Bentgo® Kids Lunch Bag
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Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out Kelsey Farley Blog! If you have lunches your kiddos absolutely love I’d love to hear about them. Share your experience on Instagram with the hashtag #kelseyfarleyblog and tag me @tucsoncoffeemom so I can follow along and share your photos on my page/stories. Make sure you subscribe before you leave so you can snag your FREE Weekly Meal Planner. I hope it inspires you to plan out some delicious meals and make sure to tag me when you use it! I love you guys, and I’ll talk to you soon.
