Kids Lunch Box Ideas

Parents know that a healthy diet can help children stay alert in school and improve their ability to learn, but trying to convince children to eat a well-balanced meal can feel like an impossible task.  

A healthy diet starts with finding common ground between parents and kids. As they grow older, kids’ tastes and needs may change, so be flexible and ready to adjust menu options at every grade level. To guide children toward healthy meals, consider these tips to help find lunchbox fillers that both kids and their parents can appreciate.   

Go to the grocery together and let kids pick out their own food. Focus on fruits and veggies, while avoiding aisles with sweets. When kids help select or prepare their meals, they’re more likely to eat them. Have them help prep a week’s worth of lunches on Sunday night to make mornings less stressful.  

Look through websites and cookbooks dedicated to healthy school lunches. Most have photos, which can help some kids select what seems visually appealing.    

Negotiate the occasional school lunches. When my children decided they no longer wanted to eat school lunches, I required that they buy lunch one day a week. That gave me a breather from packing multiple lunches every morning, and I knew they’d be offered healthy choices.  

Make it easy for them to take bites between conversing. Kids want to socialize during their limited lunchtime, so peeling fruits like oranges or slicing apples or strawberries beforehand can increase the chance of them nibbling their lunch without attention being diverted from friends.  

Don’t Forget the Healthy Snacks 

Children of all ages need healthy snacks to fill the gap between meals. Having a wide variety that can fit any craving is essential to make sure healthy eating continues all day.  

For something sweet, try dried fruit in moderation. The sugars in dried fruit are concentrated, so the flavor is sweeter than fresh fruit. Read labels to avoid dried fruit with added sugar.  

For something salty, popcorn is simple and easy. Alternatively, try edamame, nuts or seeds. 

For something savory, dip pretzels or apples in peanut butter, or pair cheese and crackers.  

For something to fit any craving, consider yogurt, which varies depending on its additives like fruit, chocolate chips or pretzels. It’s an ideal snack or lunchbox addition to tackle any taste preferences or pickiness. 

Lunchbox Ideas for Any Age 

Delicious packed lunches begin with simple ideas. Try these for elementary-aged kids: 

Homemade Lunchables: Cut small wedges of cheese, add some crackers, a few slices of fruit and small slices of ham or turkey. It’s easy to include other items your child might enjoy like hard-boiled eggs, olives or even a small treat.  

Mini Kabobs: No matter the food, if it’s on a stick or toothpick it’s instantly more fun. Combine a cherry tomato, slice of mozzarella and a slice of cucumber. Alternatively create a deconstructed sandwich on a stick, skewering a few slices of lunch meat and a chunk of cheese between cubes of bread on either end. 

A Dippable Lunch: An endless list of veggies are so much more delicious when dipped into hummus, guacamole or Greek yogurt ranch. Alternatively, pair fruit with cream cheese, peanut butter or sweetened Greek yogurt.  

Try these for middle- and high-school students: 

Microwave It: Many middle- and high schools have microwaves available, which opens a range of possibilities for meals. Consider soup, ramen, pasta or even leftovers that can be reheated for a yummy and healthy lunch.  

Toss It: Salads are perfect to fit any whims and taste buds by simply adding what sounds good in the morning. Wash fresh greens at night and prep a variety of toppings, and your middle schooler can quickly throw together their own salad in the morning.   

Wrap It: My kids once told me that sandwiches were boring. But wrap the same ingredients in a flour tortilla and suddenly it’s unique. Nearly anything can be wrapped, from a pb&j to a chicken salad. Plus it’s easy for kids to make themselves. 

Clock Social Media: When teens see a healthy recipe on TikTok, encourage them to recreate it or even to make their own video experimenting in the kitchen with fresh ingredients. 

Author: Heather Lusk