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A list of easy and quick packed lunches for school (with photos!) and the tips to keep them fresh for hours inside a lunch box. Plus, my kid's favorite pasta lunch recipe.
Pack one of these easy kids’ lunch ideas for school, including sandwiches, wraps, bentos, and no-cook lunches!
For years, I’d find myself packing the same school lunches on repeat—mostly because I wasn’t sure how to keep non-sandwich lunches fresh for hours. Below, you’ll find the ideas plus the links to the posts explaining how to keep the food safe to eat until lunchtime.
School Lunch Ideas for Kids
The lunches below have been my go-to school lunches with my kids for more than a decade, and today, I’m thrilled to share with you some of our favorite healthy lunch ideas for school with you! Click on the post for the recipe & the tips for keeping each fresh until lunch.
Healthy Protein “Lunchable”
A more filling and better option than the packaged ones at the store plus the tips to pack this ahead of time.
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Lunch Box Tacos
A fun twist on the ham sandwich using a couple tortillas from taco night!
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Healthy Turkey and Cheese Sandwich
Keep sandwiches from falling apart and getting soggy with the thips in this post.
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Easy Homemade Uncrustables (Freezeable!)
Use your kid's favorite bread, a nut-free butter if necessary, and keep them in the freezer for a grab-and-go option. The link to the cutter is in this post too!
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Ham and Cheese Sub
Skip Subway and pack a better and more affordable sub sanwich for lunch.
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Egg Salad in a Lunch Box
If your kid likes egg salad, learn to pack it the right way and say goodbye to stinky lunch boxes for good.
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Cracker Stacker
This lunchable-look-alike idea includes tips for preventing crackers and other ingredients from getting soggy.
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Turkey Pepperoni Sandwich
High in protein and tastes like pizza, this sandwich is always a winner with kids.
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Guac & Protein Lunch Box
Single portioned guacamole is the star of the show in this filling, high-protein paked lunch.
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Salami and Pear Lunch Box
Pears are sweet, high in fiber, and a delicious addition to a charcuterie-style lunch.
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Tzatziki Dipping Bento
For kids who enjoy veggies, this packed lunch offers variety and protein; plus, the Tzaziki yogurt dip makes it delish.
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Peanut Butter Apple Sandwich
Crisp apple slices hidden in a sandwich won't visibly brown. If necessary, swap the PB for a nut-free option.
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Hawaiian Ham & Cheese Sliders
Sliders leftover from dinner make delicious school lunches.
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Grapes & Cheese Bento
For the kid who chats with friends at lunch, packing a variety box like this one is a great way for them to take bites while they talk.
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Fruit & Veggie Stoplight Bento
This nutritious side is the perfect side-kick to any sandwich. It also doubles as a snack box if you're sending both.
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A Rainbow in a Box
Nutritious oat bites, protein, fruit, and veggies are all elements that help fill kids' bellies.
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Quick Tomato & Cheese Sandwich
Swap mayo for a little pesto and you'll instantly transform a simple sandwich.
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Ham & Cheese Roll Ups
Delicious roll-ups without tortillas plus tips to prevent cheese from getting melty in the lunch box.
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DIY Nachos
Nachos for lunch can be healthy and high in protein. Check out the cheese sauce options and how to pack it hot.
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Chicken & Apple Grilled Sandwich
Learn how to pack a grilled sandwich in a lunch box and all the sudden, your possibilities are endless.
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Turkey Club Wrap
From middle school to high school, this wrap is always a favorite for lunch.
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Turkey and Veggie Hummus Wrap
Read the post to learn how to keep wraps with veggies inside fresh and crunchy for hours.
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Chicken & Hummus Lunch Box
Turn leftover chicken into a delicious lunch that doesn't feel like leftovers again.
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Chicken Caesar Lunch Wrap
Skip the fork and enjoy everything that's awesome about Caesar salad in a wrap!
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Pizza Pasta Salad
Toss leftover pasta with their favorite pizza toppings and you've got a delicious kid-friendly lunch.
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Banana Sushi
Wrap it up and that's one way to keep bananas from getting mushy in a lunch bag!
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Deli Roll Ups
These bite-sized rolls are always a favorite with kids. Use ham, turkey, or roast beef -whatever you've got on hand!
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Chicken & Pasta Thermos
Always have a serving of pasta leftovers from dinner? This post explains how to pack them and keep them hot until lunch.
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Chicken Bacon Sandwich
5 minutes is all it takes to combine deli chicken and a crisp slice of bacon to make an epic restaurant copycat. All the tips for packing it for lunch in the post.
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Peanut Butter Pickle Sandwich
A weird combination that's fascinated kids everywhere can be a fun conversation starter at the lunch table.
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Turkey Pesto Pinwheels
Learn how to make pinwheel sandwiches ahead of time and pack them for lunch real quick!
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Chips and Guac Lunch
This dynamic duo makes an appearance in the lunch box plus the tips to turn it into a filling lunch and prevent the chips from breaking.
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Ramen Soup
With better ramen options available you can pack it in a thermos and make a filling warm lunch.
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Easy Ham, Cheese, and Tomato Skewers
These ham, cheese, and tomato skewers offer a variety of fresh ingredients in a fun and interactive school lunch your kids will love.
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Don’t forget to pack these healthy school lunch ideas with a lunchbox note!
School Lunch Ideas for Kids + Pizza Pasta Salad
A list of easy and quick packed lunches for school (with photos!) and the tips to keep them fresh for hours inside a lunch box. Plus, my kid's favorite pasta lunch recipe.
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Ingredients
- 12 ounce box pasta, cooked
- ¾ cup mozzarella cheese, cubed
- 1 cup broccoli florets, chopped
- 4 ounces nitrate free pepperoni slices, quartered
- ⅓ cup black olives, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup Italian dressing (or olive oil + 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper , to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to box directions, drain, and rinse. Allow pasta to cool down to room temperature in a large bowl.
- Meanwhile, chop all your ingredients and toss them into the bowl, waiting until the pasta is cooled to toss in the cheese (otherwise it will melt).
- Add in Italian dressing and toss to combine well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate overnight. Store leftovers inane airtight container for up to 3 days.
Equipment
Nutrition
Serving: 1lunch | Calories: 455kcal | Carbohydrates: 55.9g | Protein: 19.6g | Fat: 17.8g | Saturated Fat: 6.5g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 32.1mg | Sodium: 1364.5mg | Fiber: 5.7g | Sugar: 4.9g
Alisia says
My kids love your school lunch recipes!! Thanks for sharing all these easy and healthy ideas, Laura!
Anne says
I can never have enought ideas for easy & healthy school lunch ideas, thank you for this post!
Madison says
I love how simple these recipes are. As a mom, we often have so many choices to make, and when I ask my 10 and 12 y/o, they have noooo clue. We ended up finding a few “winners” for their lunches so thank you so much!!!!
Pamela says
These are such unique and healthy school lunch ideas! My kids are going to love these recipes, and I love how easy you make them for us busy mamas! Thank you.
Shelee says
I purchased your book for my daughter and it is now her “go-to” book for everyday! She is a busy mom that wants to feed the family healthy food and loves that most things she already has on hand!!
MOMables says
Shelee, that makes me so happy! I’m so glad I can help busy moms like your daughter.