How To Pack Healthy Lunches

Back to school means packing a lunch five days a week. These simple and tasty lunches will give you plenty of ideas for healthy lunches to pack for your kids each day of the week.

How to Pack Easy & Healthy Lunches

Since we’re almost back to school – it’s also back to packing lunches each day for my two. Thankfully, we have really healthy lunches at school – no processed foods, fresh veggies, fruit, and more! But, the kids like Mom to pack their lunch most of the time. Even Dad gets in on the fun sometimes when I’m too tired to do it at night. We share all the duties around here.

Packing healthy lunches doesn’t have to be too crazy involved with cutting each piece of food into tiny shapes and arranging it ever so creatively to form an animal (that is fun, too!). It can be just cutting up some veggies, using a fun sandwich cutter for your sandwiches, and using a fun container! My kids love healthy lunch food. So, I’m pretty lucky. There are 5 components I use to pack our healthy lunches each day – if you use these tips, you’re sure to have smiles when lunch boxes are opened at school!

Pack A Main Dish

I always pack a main dish – it can be a sandwich, rollup, cheese, crackers, or the like, a fruit, a veggie, something crunchy like whole wheat crackers or popcorn, and something sweet. The something sweet can be graham crackers with peanut butter, granola bars, fruit newtons, mini muffins, or even a cookie! I don’t overdo it on the sweets, but I like them to feel like they’ve had a little treat for their healthy lunch. I always put it in the part of the container that has the little door on it and closes – that way, it’s like a surprise when they open it to see what I’ve packed!

Choose The Right Drink

For a drink, I add an all-juice box, flavored water, or milk. It depends on the weather, and I give my kids a lot of choices. Andrew loves milk, so he usually gets a thermos of milk. I put it in the fridge at night, and it’s super cold by morning. He says it’s still cold at lunch. Ella isn’t a big milk drinker. So, I let her have something else for lunch since she has milk for breakfast.

Pick The Right Container

Speaking of containers – I love, love, LOVE these awesome bento-type containers from Pottery Barn Kids! They are so helpful when it comes to packing the kid’s lunches and for when they eat them at school. There isn’t a lot of time during their lunch break. So, I love that they aren’t fumbling with opening many containers or baggies before they can eat.

This way, they just sit down, open their lunch boxes and eat. That’s it! It was especially nice when they were in kindergarten and away eating lunch and figuring it all out on their own. I didn’t worry about if they found everything in their lunch box, what they were eating or not. I always tell my kids to not even mess with “dumping” their box. Just close it up, and bring it home. I’ll throw it away. That way, I can see what they eat and adjust the items I put in.

If they have half of their veggies left, I know I put too much in. But, if they come home and everything is gone but a few bites, and they say they were full, I know that I’ve packed just enough! 

Lunch Boxes

I also like Pottery Barn’s lunch boxes, which fit in with the bento containers. They are insulated and keep everything right together. I’ve also found that the lunch boxes from Garnet Hill (which are super cute, too!) will hold Pottery Barn’s containers. That way we can mix it up! Andrew likes to use both. Ella is into her Pottery Barn one this year. Either way – we’re covered!

Adding In The Extras

I always grab a cold pack and a napkin to put on top, and I always add a note! Sometimes I get more fancy and make cards with bible verses in them. Other times I just add a post-it note that says “Have a good day!” and tell them that I love them. In my mind, it’s like giving them a little hug while at school. Maybe if they’re having a rough day, they know that Mamma loves them.

Here are some of my favorite lunch ideas that are healthy, simple, and the kids love!

1. Turkey & Cheese Ranch Pinwheel Recipe

Turkey and cheese is a classic lunch idea you cannot go wrong with. By serving it in this pinwheel style, you get a little bit of everything in one bite. Plus, it’s easy to eat during a busy lunch.

2. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sushi Rolls

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches get a remake when turned into fun sushi rolls. The clever play on the classic sandwich makes it fun and more manageable to eat at school. If you can’t bring peanuts into school, swap in your favorite nut-free butter for the peanut butter.

3. Turkey and Cheese “Sushi” Rolls

If your kids aren’t excited about a classic turkey and cheese sandwich, ask them if they’d prefer turkey and cheese sushi. The clever play on the classic dish switches up how the sandwich is cut. But don’t worry, it tastes just as good!

4. Apple Cinnamon Muffins

If your kid’s lunch falls early in the morning, consider brunch ideas rather than a sandwich or something heavy. These apple cinnamon muffins are filling and great to eat, no matter when lunch falls.

5. Hamburger Soup

Hamburger soup will be an excellent meal for your kids at lunch. Fill up a thermos with the hot soup in the morning, and let it cool to the perfect temperature right before lunch. The meat and veggies will be super filling for the rest of the day.  

6. Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Ditch the classic sandwich bread for crescent roll dough in these tasty ham and cheese pinwheels. The tender dough surrounds the ham and cheese, making a perfect dish to place in a lunch box.

7. Silver Dollar Pancakes

Who says you can’t have pancakes for lunch? Surprise your little one with silver dollar pancakes in their lunch box. Put some syrup and fruit on the side for a full spread.

8. Bacon & Gruyere Sous Vide Egg Bites

Say goodbye to buying eggbites at Starbucks for lunch, and hello to making your own with these Bacon & Gruyere Sous Vide Egg Bites. The mini bite-sized pieces are loaded with protein, making them a filling lunch for a long day of learning.

9. Buffalo Chicken Wrap

Spice up your kid’s lunch with a tasty buffalo chicken wrap. Serve the wrap with a side of carrots or celery and bleu cheese or ranch.

10. Pepperoni Rollups

A pepperoni rollup is an excellent idea for a fun and easy lunch. The roll-ups can be kept in the freezer and placed directly into a lunch box, which will thaw just in time for lunch!

See! Lunches don’t have to be Lunchables and chips every day. They can be as simple as adding in a sandwich, veggies, and fruit!

Share With Us!

I hope you enjoy these delicious school lunch ideas! If you give it a try, please share your experience in the comments below. Don’t forget to tag me on social media @allthingsmamma and use the hashtag #allthingsmamma.