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These healthy preschool lunch ideas are simple to pack, easy for little hands to eat, and made with familiar foods that work well for picky eaters. You’ll also find practical tips to keep every lunch fresh until lunchtime.
Packing Preschool Lunches Doesn’t Have to Be Hard
Since 2010, I’ve helped thousands of families pack school lunches. Preschool lunches don’t have to be complicated when you start with familiar foods your child already enjoys and build from there. If you’re packing lunch for a picky eater, don’t miss my 5 Picky-Eater Approved School Lunches.
Preschool Lunch Ideas for Picky Eaters
Start with one familiar main, then add one or two easy lunch box sides to round it out. Click any idea below for the recipe and packing tips to keep it fresh for hours.
Lunch Packing Tips for Preschoolers
Pack one main item with one or two simple sides. Preschoolers have small appetites and short lunch periods, so smaller portions are often easier to finish than oversized lunches. Sometimes two snack boxes are great!
Start with one or two foods your child already enjoys, then round out lunch with fruit, veggies, or another simple side. Lunch isn’t usually the best time to introduce brand-new foods.
Absolutely. A wide-mouth thermos that’s easy for little hands to open works well for soups, pasta, mac and cheese, or leftovers. Preheat the thermos with hot water before filling it to help food stay warm until lunch.
Small sandwiches, pinwheels, roll-ups, skewers, and egg cups are easier for little hands to hold and quicker to eat during short lunch periods.
Include protein whenever you can. Cheese, Greek yogurt, eggs, beans, chicken, or deli meat help keep kids satisfied longer than carbs alone.
Download Your FREE Lunchbox Builder Printable
Use this printable PDF to pack easy, nutritious lunches your kids will LOVE!
Each lunchbox will be filled with a variety of healthy carbs, fats, and quality protein to keep them satiated and focused for the entire school day.
Preschool lunches don’t need to be perfect. Familiar foods, small portions, and easy-to-open containers make lunchtime more manageable for kids and the adults helping them.
Picky Preschooler Lunch Ideas
Watch How It’s Made:
Ingredients
- 6 eggs
- 3 tablespoons milk
- ¼ cup pepperoni slices, chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheese, mozzarella or cheddar
- 2 apples, sliced
- 2 cups baby carrots
Instructions
Prep:
- Preheat the oven to 350F and grease a 24-count mini muffin pan.
Make the mini quiches:
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and milk. Add the pizza toppings, like pepperoni (and up to ½ cup of additional add-ins), and the shredded cheese to the bowl. Mix to combine all ingredients.
- Fill each mini muffin pan with the egg mixture and an even amount of toppings.
Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven 15 to 18 minutes, until the tops are puffy and the egg mixture has cooked through. Remove from oven and allow the quiches to cool for about 5 minutes before removing them from the pan with a small knife or spatula.
Pack for school:
- Place 4 to 6 mini quiches inside a lunch container. Add sides like fruit and veggies in separate compartments. You can also enjoy these warm inside a thermos container.
Storage:
- Refrigerate extras in an airtight container for up to 3 days for future lunches or freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Cynthia Yates says
My issue is that I know I would not like a soggy cold grilled cheese sandwhich at lunch time i would not expect my kid to. Do you have tips for keeping it warm until lunch time?
MOMables-Laura says
Yes, you can learn how to do that in this post: https://www.momables.com/how-to-pack-grilled-sandwiches-soup-for-lunch/
Kris says
Looks awesome! Can the mini quiches be frozen?
MOMables-Laura says
Hi Kris, the mini quiches can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 months. I recommend defrosting them in the refrigerator before reheating.
Lynn says
If you are able to get your child to eat all of this, they aren’t picky eaters…
Shalea says
Exactly what I was thinking lol
Angel says
I love your website and your videos, but there so many adds and pop ups it’s almost impossible to follow the recipe. I’m sorry, I was trying not to be so negative but it truly got very frustrating
Yasaar says
Hi ,
I am unable to watch the video for picky eaters ( magic -spoon- technique ) from the link above. Can you please direct me to where I can watch this video .
Thnx
MOMables - Laura says
Hi Yasaar, Check out the video here.