With the first day of school beginning in just a week or two for many children around the world, it’s time for parents to start brainstorming school lunch ideas again for their little ones. While kids can be picky eaters, there’s nothing like a fun shape or packaging idea to entice your little one to eat his or her meal.
School Lunch Ideas for the Little Ones
Try out some of these school lunch ideas to get your kids excited for school and eating healthy lunches!
Cut-Out Sandwiches
One of the easiest ways to add some character to your little one’s school lunch is by cutting out shapes in their sandwiches. This owl-shaped sandwich, for example, simply requires using a round cookie cutter to remove a portion from the top of the sandwich. A marshmallow makes up the eyes and a triangle cut out from the heel of the bread loaf forms the beak. Find the tutorial here.
Lunchbox Kabobs
While your little one may have no problem eating up their cheddar cheese or slice of ham, it can be more difficult to get them to eat their fruits and veggies. Lunchbox kabobs like these can be a great solution to this dilemma. With the fruit or veggie stacked in between their favorite lunch components, they’re more bound to eat the healthy stuff without even noticing. Find the tutorial here.
PB&J Tacos
Sandwiches can get old real fast, no matter how much your kids love PB&J or a classic ham and cheese. Instead of packing the same kind of sandwich every day with two pieces of toast, mix things up by creating PB&J tacos like these. Find the tutorial here.
Colorful Pasta
If your kid loves mac and cheese as much as the next kid, then he or she will love a colorful twist on this favorite food. Brands like Annie’s sell tri-colored pasta in animal shapes, which are perfect for the little ones. You may even be able to sneak in some healthy veggies without your kid realizing it! Find the tutorial here.
Critter Crudites
There’s nothing a kid loves more than cute little critters. Turn your kid’s celery snack into a caterpillar with peanut butter and fruit. Even if the critters don’t maintain their shape until lunch, your kid will love seeing his or her lunch when you’re packing it in the morning. Find the tutorial here.
Peanut Butter Apple Nachos
These peanut butter apple nachos are both a sweet treat and a nice little dose of protein. Your kids will love the sweet and salty flavors in this recipe as well as the fact that there’s a serving of chocolate chips. Find the tutorial here.
Banana Nutella Sushi
While regular sushi may not be something on your kid’s favorite foods list, this banana Nutella sushi is definitely going to be! Creating this wrap is as simple as smearing some Nutella on a tortilla and wrapping a whole banana inside it. Then, simply slice the wrap into smaller pieces to create “sushi” rolls. Find the tutorial here.
To see more great healthy kid recipes, check out our article Healthy Snacks for Kids While Traveling.
