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Sometimes the best school lunches are the simplest to pack. Try this crackers, deli meat, and cheese lunch or one of the other lunch ideas.
If you're tired of packing the same lunches and need new ideas your kids will actually eat, this list gives you plenty of easy options for school. You'll find sandwiches, lunchables, wraps, bentos, hot lunches, and simple sides that are quick to pack and easy to adjust with what you have.
Best School Lunch Ideas for Kids
I've been packing school lunches for my three kids and sharing them on MOMables since 2011. I also wrote The Best Homemade Kid’s Lunches on the Planet, so I've tested a lot of ways to make lunches easier to pack, filling enough for the school day, and realistic for busy mornings. Start with the school lunch ideas below, then keep scrolling for snacks, thermos lunches, dips, and more.
Ham & Cheese Sub Sandwich Lunchbox
A sub roll makes a basic ham and cheese lunch feel more substantial and gives you room to add veggies or extra protein.
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Easy Homemade Lunchables Pizza
Kids can build their own pizza at lunch, and the toppings are easy to customize with what they already like.
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Picnic Bento Lunch Box
Small portions of turkey, fruit, veggies, and crunchy sides make this bento easy to adjust for different appetites.
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Peanut Butter Nutella Sandwich Sushi
Peanut butter and Nutella rolled into bite-size pieces make a familiar favorite more fun to pack and eat.
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DIY Taco Lunchables
Use taco-night leftovers to make a quick lunchable kids can assemble one bite at a time.
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Turkey & Cheese Cracker Stacker Lunchbox
Crackers, turkey, cheese, fruit, and veggies make this homemade lunchable easy to pack and more filling than the boxed kind.
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BLT Salad Lunchbox
Bacon and classic BLT flavors make this salad filling enough for lunch and more appealing to kids who like plenty of toppings.
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Homemade Uncrustables
Make and freeze a batch ahead so a reliable school lunch is ready to grab on busy mornings.
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Protein Lunchable
Egg, deli meat, cheese, and crackers make this five-minute lunchable high in protein and easy to size up for bigger appetites.
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Crispy Chicken Wrap
Crispy chicken strips turn a simple wrap into a filling, high-protein lunch that is easy to hold and pack.
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Grilled Cheese – 5 Ways + How to Pack It
Grilled cheese is easy to customize, and these packing tips help it stay crisp instead of soggy by lunchtime.
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Cobb Salad
Chicken, eggs, bacon, and veggies make this Cobb salad filling, protein-rich, and easy to prep ahead for older kids.
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Chicken Bagel Sandwich
Leftover chicken gets a second life in a sturdy bagel sandwich that is filling enough for a long school day.
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Grilled PBJ Sandwich
Grilling PB&J gives a familiar favorite crisp bread and warm filling without adding much extra work.
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Ham and Avocado Lunch Wrap
Ham and creamy avocado make this five-minute wrap filling, fresh, and easy to assemble with only a few ingredients.
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Thermos Mac and Cheese
Pack mac and cheese in a preheated thermos for a warm lunch that stays creamy until it is time to eat.
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Stop Wondering What to Pack.Â
Pack lunches your kids will actually eat with 101 lunch ideas, practical packing tips, a complete Thermos Lunch Guide, and my Pack Meals Like a Pro bonus.
Homemade Chicken Nuggets Lunchable
Use homemade or frozen nuggets to build a lunchable with fruit, veggies, and easy sides your child already enjoys.
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BLT Wrap
Bacon, lettuce, and tomato turn a classic sandwich into a portable wrap with plenty of crunch.
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Pizza Pasta Salad
Cold pizza pasta salad is an easy way to use leftover pasta and prep lunch ahead for the next day.
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Italian Sandwich Wrap
Italian deli flavors make this wrap feel more substantial than a basic sandwich while still being easy to pack.
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Apple Quesadillas
Apple and cheddar make these quesadillas sweet, savory, and sturdy enough to pack for school.
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Turkey Club Sandwich
Turkey, bacon, lettuce, and tomato make this club sandwich hearty enough for a full lunch.
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Turkey Pesto Pinwheels Lunch
Turkey pesto pinwheels are bite-size, mess-free, and simple to prep ahead for an easy school lunch.
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Chicken Ranch Wrap with Bacon
Chicken, bacon, and Ranch make this wrap savory, filling, and high in protein for bigger appetites.
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Turkey and Swiss Bagel Sandwich
A chewy bagel and Swiss cheese make this turkey sandwich sturdy, filling, and easy to pack.
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Protein Bistro Box
Egg, turkey, cheese, and fresh sides make this protein box quick to assemble and easy to bulk up for older kids.
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Chicken Pesto Sandwich
Leftover chicken and pesto turn a basic sandwich into a flavorful lunch with almost no extra prep.
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Chicken Strip Salad for Teens
Leftover chicken strips add plenty of protein to a simple salad and make it filling enough for teens.
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Snacks to Pack with Lunch
Add one of these snacks as a lunchbox side or pack it separately for school snack time.
- Spinach Bites – cheesy, savory, and easy to pack
- Broccoli Tater Tots – a crispy way to add vegetables
- Zucchini Chips – crunchy and easy to prep ahead
- Homemade Doritos – bold, cheesy crunch made at home
- Strawberry Fruit Leather – easy to make and pack
- Banana Chips – sweet, crunchy, and easy to prep ahead
- Fruit & Yogurt Parfait – creamy, fresh, and higher in protein
- Cheese Straws – flaky, cheesy, and easy to pack
Thermos Lunch Ideas
Learning to keep food hot in a thermos opens up a new world to packing hot lunches. These are my favorite thermos containers. Some of my kids’ favorites include:
- Mac & Chese
- No-Bake Lasagna
- Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese Dippers
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Teriyaki Chicken Bowls
- Creamy Tortellini Soup
Lunchbox Dips
Dips can make veggies, nuggets, crackers, and other simple foods more appealing. Pack them in a small leakproof container to avoid spills.
- Homemade Ketchup
- 5 Minute Ranch Dressing
- Greek Hummus
- Edamame Hummus
- Alfredo Sauce
- Pineapple Salsa
- 7 Layer Dip Cups
School Lunch Ideas for Special Diets
If you're packing around an allergy or dietary restriction, start with one of these dedicated school lunch guides:
Deli Bento Box and 20+ School Lunch Ideas
Sometimes the best school lunches are the simplest to pack. Try this crackers, deli meat, and cheese lunch or one of the other lunch ideas.
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Watch How It’s Made:
Ingredients
- 2 ounces deli turkey
- 1 ounce cheddar cheese, sliced
- 6 whole-grain crackers
- 1 hard boiled egg
- 1 serving of veggies
- 1 serving of fruit
Instructions
- On a flat surface, roll up the deli turkey slices and cut them into a few pieces. Place them inside the lunch container.
- Slice 1 to 2 slices of cheddar cheese and place them in the lunch container.
- Peel and slice the hard-boiled egg in half or, into smaller pieces for younger kids. Place the hard boiled egg inside the compartment of the lunch container.
- Pack the crackers inside a separate compartment or zip bag so they stay fresh until lunchtime.
- Add a serving of fruit and veggies to this lunch to round up the nutrition.
Notes
Nutrition information is calculated without veggies and fruits.
Equipment
Nutrition
Serving: 1lunch | Calories: 244kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 208mg | Sodium: 1298mg | Potassium: 323mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 676IU | Calcium: 233mg | Iron: 2mg
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