12 Back-to-School Easy Lunch Ideas for Kids

Published by Whispers on July 29, 2024July 29, 2024

As the new school year approaches, parents everywhere are looking for quick, nutritious, and tasty lunch ideas to keep their kids fueled and focused throughout the day. Packing a healthy lunch can be a fun and creative process that ensures your child is getting a balanced diet. A balanced lunch not only provides the necessary energy for a busy school day but also helps in maintaining concentration, improving academic performance, and fostering healthy eating habits. Here are 12 back-to-school lunch ideas that are simple to prepare, packed with nutrients, and designed to please even the pickiest eaters.

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1. Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups

Ingredients:

• Sliced turkey breast
• Sliced cheese (cheddar, Swiss, or your child’s favorite)
• Whole wheat tortillas
• Lettuce
• Mustard or mayo (optional)

Instructions:

1. Lay the tortilla flat and spread a thin layer of mustard or mayo.
2. Place a slice of turkey and cheese on top.
3. Add a piece of lettuce.
4. Roll the tortilla tightly and cut into bite-sized pieces.

Tips:

• Use different types of wraps like spinach or tomato for variety.
• Secure with toothpicks to keep them intact until lunchtime.

2. Veggie and Hummus Wraps

Ingredients:

• Whole wheat tortillas
• Hummus
• Cucumber slices
• Bell pepper strips
• Shredded carrots
• Baby spinach

Instructions:

1. Spread a generous layer of hummus over the tortilla.
2. Layer the veggies evenly.
3. Roll the tortilla tightly and slice into halves or thirds.

Tips:

• Customize with your child’s favorite veggies.
• Serve with a side of fruit for a complete meal.

3. Chicken Salad Pita Pockets

Ingredients:

• Cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
• Greek yogurt
• Diced celery
• Diced apples
• Whole grain pita pockets

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix the chicken, Greek yogurt, celery, and apples.
2. Cut the pita pockets in half and fill each pocket with the chicken salad mixture.

Tips:

• Add some dried cranberries or walnuts for extra texture and flavor.
• Keep the chicken salad mixture separate and let your child stuff the pita at lunchtime to prevent sogginess.

4. DIY Pizza Lunchables

Ingredients:

• Whole wheat English muffins, halved
• Marinara sauce
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Pepperoni slices
• Veggie toppings (optional)

Instructions:

1. Spread a spoonful of marinara sauce on each English muffin half.
2. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
3. Top with pepperoni and any additional veggies.
4. Pack the components separately and let your child assemble their pizza at lunchtime.

Tips:

• Include a small container of extra marinara sauce for dipping.
• Use whole wheat pita bread or bagels as an alternative to English muffins.

5. Apple and Peanut Butter Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• Sliced apples
• Peanut butter or almond butter
• Granola (optional)

Instructions:

1. Core and slice the apples horizontally.
2. Spread a layer of peanut butter on one apple slice.
3. Sprinkle with granola if desired.
4. Top with another apple slice to form a sandwich.

Tips:

• Use sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option.
• Wrap the apple sandwiches in parchment paper to keep them fresh and prevent browning.

6. Mini Quiche Muffins

Ingredients:

• Eggs
• Milk
• Shredded cheese
• Diced ham or bacon
• Chopped spinach
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.
3. Add cheese, ham or bacon, and spinach.
4. Pour the mixture into a greased muffin tin.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until set.
6. Cool and pack 2-3 muffins per lunch.

Tips:

• Make a large batch and freeze extras for quick lunch options.
• Swap in different veggies or meats based on your child’s preferences.

7. Yogurt and Berry Parfait

Ingredients:

• Greek yogurt
• Fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• Granola
• Honey (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a container, layer Greek yogurt, berries, and granola.
2. Drizzle with honey if desired.
3. Repeat layers and finish with a sprinkle of granola on top.

Tips:

• Pack granola separately to keep it crunchy.
• Use a variety of fruits to keep the parfait interesting.

8. Cheesy Veggie Quesadillas

Ingredients:

• Whole wheat tortillas
• Shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend)
• Diced bell peppers
• Corn kernels
• Black beans

Instructions:

1. Sprinkle cheese over one half of a tortilla.
2. Add bell peppers, corn, and black beans.
3. Fold the tortilla in half.
4. Cook in a skillet over medium heat until the cheese melts and the tortilla is golden brown.
5. Cut into wedges.

Tips:

• Serve with a side of salsa or guacamole.
• Use a variety of cheeses for different flavors.

9. Fruit and Cheese Kabobs

Ingredients:

• Cubed cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or your child’s favorite)
• Grapes
• Strawberries
• Pineapple chunks
• Wooden skewers

Instructions:

1. Alternate threading cheese cubes and fruit pieces onto skewers.
2. Pack in a container for a fun and easy-to-eat lunch.

Tips:

• Use reusable silicone skewers for an eco-friendly option.
• Include a small container of yogurt or honey for dipping.

10. Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• Cooked pasta (mini shells or rotini)
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Cubed cheese
• Sliced black olives
• Italian dressing

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cheese, and olives.
2. Toss with Italian dressing.
3. Store in individual containers for easy packing.

Tips:

• Add in some diced chicken or ham for extra protein.
• Make the pasta salad the night before to let the flavors meld together.

11. Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:

• Canned tuna, drained
• Greek yogurt or mayo
• Diced celery
• Diced pickles
• Lettuce leaves (romaine or butter lettuce)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix tuna, Greek yogurt or mayo, celery, and pickles.
2. Spoon the tuna mixture onto lettuce leaves.
3. Roll or fold the lettuce leaves to enclose the filling.

Tips:

• Pack the tuna salad and lettuce leaves separately to prevent sogginess.
• Add a squeeze of lemon juice to the tuna salad for extra flavor.

12. Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Ingredients:

• Sliced ham
• Sliced cheese (Swiss, cheddar, or your child’s favorite)
• Whole wheat tortillas
• Cream cheese

Instructions:

1. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese over the tortilla.
2. Layer with ham and cheese slices.
3. Roll the tortilla tightly and slice into pinwheels.

Tips:

• Use flavored cream cheese for added variety.
• Secure with toothpicks or wrap tightly in plastic wrap to keep the pinwheels intact until lunchtime.

These lunch ideas are not only quick and easy to prepare but also balanced and nutritious. Your kids will love the variety and flavors, making lunchtime something to look forward to every day!

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