Non Sandwich Lunch Ideas for Kids

Are your kids tired of sandwiches every day? Try these 20 Non Sandwich Lunch Ideas for Kids that they will love! They are easy, creative and delicious.

It’s hard coming up with new ideas each and every day for school lunches. Kids get tired of eating the same thing all week. We get tired of packing lunches only to have them come back half eaten.

If your kids are bored of sandwiches, we have 20 kid friendly lunch ideas for school. You might also like 15 Back to School Crafts for Kids and 15 DIY Back to School Organization Ideas.

Why We Love This
1. Homemade Lunchables
2. Bento Boxes
3. Chicken Salad
4. Homemade Pizza Bombs
5. Chef Salad On a Stick
6. Hard Boiled Eggs with Cinnamon Sticks
7. Easy Pasta Salad
8. Apple Zucchini Muffins
9. Tortilla Hot Dog Wraps
10. Baked Spaghetti
11. Lunchbox Taco Bar
12. Mini Deep Dish Pizzas
13. Chicken Egg Rolls
14. Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese
15. Biscuit Pizza
16. Pesto Croissants
17. Easy Deviled Eggs
18. Corn Dog Muffins
19. Mango Chicken Tacos
20. Turkey Sandwich Crescent Rolls

Why We Love This

Everyone will be happy, and the kids will gobble up their lunches. These ideas are delicious, easy and sure to impress even the pickiest of eaters.

You will enjoy these ideas when you’re looking for something more fun than the classic pb&j.

There are tons of really easy and delicious ideas that do not involve sandwiches or bread. From homemade Lunchables to spaghetti, there is something for everyone.

We have lots of ideas for no sandwich lunches for school! Your kids will be excited to open their lunch boxes.

1. Homemade Lunchables

Why spend tons of money on store bought lunchables when you can make them at home? Make your own that are kid friendly and put all the things they love inside.

Homemade Lunchables

This is a homemade version of a Lunchable that includes meat, cheese, crackers and more.

Homemade Lunchables

2. Bento Boxes

These healthy lunches combine fruit, veggies and more.

Healthy Lunches

Learn how to pack healthy lunches for kids. These ideas are simple, budget friendly and your kids will actually eat them!

Healthy Lunches

3. Chicken Salad

The grapes add a sweetness to the chicken salad that kids will love. Pack a few crackers for dipping and lunch is served. It is one of our favorite cold lunch ideas.

Chicken Salad With Grapes

This Chicken Salad with Grapes Recipe makes a quick, delicious meal! It also has roasted nuts for the best chicken salad recipe and makes a great chicken salad sandwich too!

Chicken Salad With Grapes

4. Homemade Pizza Bombs

Cheese and pepperoni are packed inside for a delicious lunch that kids will love. You can easily make these with the pizza toppings kids prefer.

Pizza Bombs

These also make great lunches because, just like pizza pockets, the kids can just pop them in their lunch and heat them up for 30 seconds before eating!

Pizza Bombs

5. Chef Salad On a Stick

Make salads fun by putting them on a stick for creative school lunch ideas! Layer chef salad items such as eggs, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, cheese and more for a tasty lunch kids will actually eat!

Chef Salad on a Stick

You won’t have to worry about getting your kiddos to eat their veggies, with this fun Chef Salad On A Stick! Or adults, for that matter!

Chef Salad on a Stick

6. Hard Boiled Eggs with Cinnamon Sticks

Hard boiled eggs are quick, easy and full of protein. Add yummy cinnamon sticks (or mini pancakes or waffles) and Greek yogurt for a lunch kids will ask for over and over! Hummus would also be a great idea as well as raisins and chocolate chips.

Hard Boiled Eggs with Cinnamon Sticks

We have simple and easy Hard boiled egg lunch ideas. Kids will love these delicious bento style ideas with fruit and more.

Hard Boiled Eggs with Cinnamon Sticks

7. Easy Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is full of veggies and colorful pasta. Kids will enjoy eating this “rainbow” pasta recipe with olives, veggies and cheese.

Pasta Salad

A summer classic packed with flavor and crispy fresh broccoli marinated in a zesty Italian dressing. Leftovers are the best!

Pasta Salad

8. Apple Zucchini Muffins

Kids won’t know these muffins are packed with healthy zucchini. It will be our secret. The apples make this so moist and tasty!

Apple Zucchini Muffins

Apple Zucchini Muffins-these healthy whole wheat zucchini muffins are easy to make, popular with kids and adults and use up that summer zucchini! They freeze well too!

Apple Zucchini Muffins

9. Tortilla Hot Dog Wraps

Tortilla’s turn an old classic into a new twist! These are easy for kids to pick up and eat and pretty yummy too.

Tortilla Hot Dogs

Similar to Pigs in a Blanket, tortilla wrapped hot dogs will be a hit.

Tortilla Hot Dogs

10. Baked Spaghetti

Make this dish ahead and put in the freezer for busy mornings! Serve it for the kids lunches and adults as well!

Baked Spaghetti

Baked Spaghetti is perfect for lunches and a welcome change from sandwiches.

Baked Spaghetti

11. Lunchbox Taco Bar

Taco bars are perfect for lunchboxes. Use little containers for the toppings and a thermos keeps the taco meat warm. You could also pack rice in the thermos with the meat. We added grapes but apple slices are great too.

Tacos

Homemade Taco lunchables is one of our kids' favorite lunches because it is completely different than the regular “boring” sandwich.

Tacos

12. Mini Deep Dish Pizzas

Miniature pizzas are a hit in kid’s lunchboxes! Kids love having their own personalized pizzas.

Mini Deep Dish Pizzas

These 5-ingredient mini pizzas are unbelievably easy, fool-proof, and completely addicting!

Mini Deep Dish Pizzas

13. Chicken Egg Rolls

Think outside the box by packing egg rolls for lunch. Kids will be thrilled when you pack a sauce for dipping.

Chicken Egg Rolls

Crispy Chicken Egg Rolls with homemade sweet and sour sauce. You won’t need takeout anymore when you have this amazing recipe!

Chicken Egg Rolls

14. Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese

Yum! Creamy mac and cheese is always a good idea! We use a thermos to keep the recipe warm for lunch.

Copycat Panera Macaroni and Cheese

Creamy white cheddar macaroni and cheese just like Panera. Give this copycat panera mac and cheese a try. Oh and it’s quick and easy on the stove top too!!

Copycat Panera Macaroni and Cheese

15. Biscuit Pizza

Kids love pizza and moms will love how easy this is by using biscuits. With a little tomato sauce and toppings, it is so easy and tasty. Add a side of fruit and a treat and lunch is complete!

Biscuit Pizza

Craving pizza and need a quick and frugal recipe? Make this fun and tasty biscuit pizza recipe with all of your favorite toppings.

Biscuit Pizza

16. Pesto Croissants

Turn a classic croissant into something even better with pesto and more. This is perfect for a change and we love pizza sauce for dipping.

Pesto Caprese Croissants

Dip our extra cheesy pesto caprese croissants in marinara for a deliciously flaky quick and easy appetizer!

Pesto Caprese Croissants

17. Easy Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are full of protein and kids love these bite size lunch foods! Tasty and delicious for sure.

Deviled Eggs

You only need a few simple ingredients to make Deviled Eggs.

Deviled Eggs

18. Corn Dog Muffins

There is a surprise in these muffins! Hide hot dogs inside to make corn dog muffins kids will love with the recipe.

Corn Dog Muffins

Simple cornbread baked in muffin tins with a hot dog in the middle. Simple, fun, and kid-friendly!

Corn Dog Muffins

19. Mango Chicken Tacos

Combine mango with chicken tacos for an instant winner at lunchtime! This is the perfect change from boring sandwiches at lunch.

Mango Chicken Tacos

The flavor is fresh and delicious in these Mango Chicken Tacos while being easy to make.

Mango Chicken Tacos

20. Turkey Sandwich Crescent Rolls

Everyone loves crescent rolls. Wrap turkey inside for a quick and fun lunch. You can also use ham or roast beef. Serve with fruit and snap peas for a great lunch. Other ideas include cheddar cheese cubes and pretzels.