We have 30 healthy school lunch ideas to make packing lunch a breeze. They are quick, easy, budget friendly and kid approved. You will love these healthy back to school lunch ideas.
30 Healthy school lunch ideas for kids
Packing your child’s school lunch can often be daunting. It is hard to find easy to pack food items that the kids will actually eat.
You have all your school shopping done, and the bags are packed for the first day of school. But what about lunch? School lunches can be time consuming, or a last minute panic when thrown together in the morning.
We have the perfect solution with these healthy school lunches. They are so tasty that the entire family might just want to try one of these lunches.
30 healthy school lunch ideas for kids.
No one will be bored of packed lunches with these tasty ideas. If your kids are tired of sandwiches, try some of these super easy ideas.
1. Tuna Veggie Rolls
School lunch will be so delicious when you pack these Tuna Veggie Rolls. Anyone can easily make sushi rolls with canned tuna and veggies! Pack this colorful and healthy lunch for your kids.
2. Homemade Flatbread Pizza
Flatbread pizza recipe is so easy and a kid favorite. Everyone can add their favorite toppings. It is a really easy recipe to adapt to everyone’s preference.
3. Hummus and Spinach Sandwich
This is a perfect substitute for the classic pb&j. Our entire family loves this hummus sandwich . The kids don’t realize they are actually eating something healthy!
4. Zucchini Fritters
You only need five ingredients and 25 minutes to go from everyday veggie to all-star lunch. These zucchini fritters are perfectly delicious and so easy to make.
5. Creamy Potato Leek Soup
Potato Leek soup is the best comfort food and so easy to prepare. It is creamy and delicious for a great hot lunch.
This recipe is made healthier so you eat it guilt free. Pack a few crackers for kids to crumble into the soup. It is sure to be a hit.
6. Spinach Artichoke Mac and Cheese
Spinach Artichoke Mac and Cheese combines one of the greatest American appetizers, spinach and artichoke dip, with one of the most iconic of American dishes, macaroni and cheese. It is so creamy and delicious.
7. Homemade Healthy Lunchables
These homemade lunchables are not very difficult at all to make. Plus, do you want to know the best thing? My kids love these even more than the pre-boxed variety.
I love how easy they are and that we save money making this DIY version.
8. Homemade Fish Sticks
These crispy baked fish sticks are made with a flavorful lemon pepper panko coating. Your whole family will love this healthy, homemade version of a childhood classic.
It is a delicious solution to boring lunchboxes. Kids will love this tasty change and enjoy eating fish sticks.
9. Soba Noodles
Soba noodles are so quick and easy and you can pack this for lunch! It is a healthy and delicious idea for something different. If you are looking for a healthy and budget friendly lunch idea, give these noodles a try.
10. Fish Tacos
This fabulous Fish Taco recipe packs all the food groups into one amazing lunchtime dish. It is so filling and delicious. Kids can add all of their favorite toppings to each taco.
It is such a fun and easy idea for lunch.
11. Mashed Potato Waffles
The next time you have leftover mashed potatoes, try making potato waffles! They are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Not only does this recipe prevent food waste but it is absolutely amazing. The texture is perfect so that it does not get soggy when packed.
12. Turkey & Cheese Kabobs
The kids just love these turkey and cheese skewers. They are so fun and very easy to make. You can easily substitute other types of deli meat and cheese in these kabobs.
13. Asian Pasta Salad
Move over mayo-drenched pasta salads, this Asian pasta salad is dressed with a sweet and salty sesame vinaigrette. It is filled with fresh vegetables.
This recipe is super filling with so many yummy veggies. The flavor is light and delicious. It isn’t heavy like mayo based pasta salad recipes.
14. Happy Little Salad Bento
This happy salad looks so bright & cheerful, and it’s smiling at us. Kids will love this bento box idea in their lunch. It is a simple idea to bring a little joy each day.
Try this bento box for an easy and cheerful lunch.
15. Hummus Veggie Wraps
These veggie wraps are slathered with a thick layer of protein packed vegetarian hummus and topped with crisp veggies like cucumbers, carrots and bell peppers. You can use any type of veggies you enjoy and have on hand.
It is a great way to use leftover salad to turn into wraps for lunch.
16. Lunchbox Taco Bar
You can easily pack everything you need to make delicious tacos in your kiddo’s lunchbox! This portable taco bar is delicious and easy to pack.
Everyone loves tacos so this meal is always a favorite with kids.
17. Carrot Fritters
Sneak some veggies into the main course with this awesome dish. Carrot fritters are so delicious and kid approved.
These carrot fritters are really amazing.
18. Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
Along with how fast and easy these are to make, meatballs can also pull double-duty as a fun appetizer. The parmesan flavor is so tasty.
Kids can pack their favorite dipping sauce to make this even better.
19. Kale and Apple Soup
The soup recipe itself is dairy free and delicious. The blend of kale and apple combine for a sweet and savory soup.
This recipe is an easy way to sneak more healthy veggies into your child’s diet.
20. Baked Veggie Taquitos
Everyone will enjoy these Baked Veggie Taquitos with whole wheat tortillas. They are filled with roasted butternut squash, black beans, swiss chard and Monterey jack cheese.
Make these for an easy lunch that kids will enjoy.
21. Cauliflower Pizza
This healthy Cauliflower pizza is topped with grilled vegetables and Greek Yogurt pesto for an easy, meatless meal that is low in carbs and high in protein.
Grilling the crust keeps it from going soggy. We like to have this for dinner and pack leftovers the next day for school.
22. Homemade Uncrustables
Making your own unrustables at home is a great way to save money. They are perfect for school lunches and always a big hit.
Stop buying store bought uncrustables and save money with this easy DIY recipe. Your kids will love opening their lunchbox and seeing this.
23. Asian Spring Rolls
This lunch idea is so fun. With these spring rolls, we’re talking delicious, easy, and fresh food. It is light but filling and great for school lunch.
24. DIY Pizza Lunchables
Forget the store bought lunchables, make your own. These pizza lunchables are budget friendly and yummy.
You are going to be amazed how much money you save and how delicious these are.
25. Farmer’s Market Sandwich
This delicious sandwich is packed with fresh mozzarella cheese, pesto and bread. It’s become a tradition and the kids love this sandwich.
Give this market sandwich a try for the best lunch.
26. Rainbow Wraps and Chives
Your kids will look forward to this tasty and healthy wrap in their lunch! Not only does it look so pretty but it is yummy too.
27. Veggie Pizza
It’s a cinch to prep and you can change the mixture to match your kids’ taste buds. Veggie Pizza is the perfect recipe for lunchboxes.
28. Chicken Caesar Wrap
For an easy, protein-packed lunch, pack a Grilled Chicken Caesar Wrap. Rediscover all your favorite Caesar Salad flavors in sandwich form.
Wraps are perfect for lunch and easy to eat. We try to always keep a pack of wraps on hand to make different types for lunch.
More lunch ideas:
- boiled egg
- small containers of peanut butter and cream cheese work great for dipping veggies.
- energy bites
- crackers cheese and cherry tomatoes
- chicken salad
- cheese stick
- trail mix
- egg salad
All of these make great ideas to pack in school lunches. Kids will enjoy trying different lunches.
Give these healthy school lunch ideas a try.
There are lots of great ideas for fun and healthy meal ideas kids will love and actually eat. I can’t wait to try some of these new ideas. The kids won’t get bored with so many different healthy school lunches.
Each recipe takes very little time to put together for lunch boxes during the school year. All of these ideas make great school lunch ideas.
Let the kids help since these recipes are so easy to make. The school year will be off to a great start thanks to lots of great ideas to choose from.
Please leave a comment and let us know what you decide to try. If you have any lunch box meal ideas, let us know those as well. We love to try new things.
More easy ideas for school
- Back to school breakfast ideas
- 25 After School Snacks for Kids
- Creative School Lunch Ideas for Kids
- Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas
