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One of these sandwich ideas is sure to become a new kid favorite. Don't know where to start? Try making these homemade uncrustables, they're always a winner.
If you're tired of making the same sandwich and need new ideas your kids will actually want to eat, this list gives you plenty of easy ways to change things up. You'll find cold sandwiches, grilled favorites, fun shapes, roll-ups, sliders, and make-ahead options that work for school lunches and busy weekdays.
Sandwich Ideas for Kids
I've packed sandwiches for my kids from preschool through high school, and the ones that stayed in rotation were easy to make, filling enough for the school day, and simple to adjust with whatever I had on hand. Many of the ideas below also use leftovers or freezer-friendly ingredients, which makes lunch packing faster on busy mornings.
Triple Decker Tomato & Cheese Sandwich
Tomato and cheese make a simple meatless sandwich, while the triple-decker format gives it more staying power.
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Healthy Turkey and Cheese Sandwich
This sandwich is quick to assemble, easy to customize, and practical for a busy school morning.
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Turkey & Pepperoni Sandwich
Turkey and pepperoni give this sandwich bold deli flavor, while lettuce and tomato keep it fresh.
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Turkey Club Sandwich
Turkey, bacon, lettuce, and tomato make this grilled sandwich hearty enough for a full lunch.
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Peanut Butter & Apple Crunch Sandwich
Apple adds fresh crunch and sweetness to peanut butter for a five-minute sandwich that is anything but boring.
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Sub Sandwich Lunchable Copycat
A sub roll makes a basic ham or turkey sandwich feel more substantial and gives you room for extra cheese and veggies.
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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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EPIC Turkey Sub Sandwich
A deli-style turkey sub is easy to customize with the cheese, veggies, and condiments your child likes.
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Bologna and Cheese Sandwich
This easy sandwich is a practical way to change up the lunchbox without adding more work in the morning.
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Classic Egg Salad Sandwich
Egg salad is easy to prep ahead and adds plenty of protein to a simple school sandwich.
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Mashed Chickpea Sandwich
Mashed chickpeas make a creamy, budget-friendly sandwich filling with fiber and plant-based protein.
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Fun Sandwich Ideas for Kids
When a regular sandwich feels boring, change the format. These roll-ups, sliders, cut-out sandwiches, and homemade Uncrustables keep familiar fillings but make lunch more fun to eat.
Strawberry Pancake Sandwich
Pancakes, strawberries, and cream cheese turn breakfast favorites into a fun handheld lunch.
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Dinosaur Sandwich
A sandwich cutter changes the shape without changing the filling, which is helpful when kids want something fun but familiar.
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Mini Waffle Sandwiches
Mini waffles make a playful sandwich base and pair especially well with fruit and creamy fillings.
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Turkey & Cheese Sushi on a Stick
Turkey and cheese skewers make a classic sandwich combination easier to eat and more fun for lunch.
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PB & J Uncrustables
Make and freeze a batch of homemade Uncrustables so a reliable school lunch is always ready to grab.
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Pizza Uncrustables
Pizza Uncrustables are freezer-friendly, easy to customize, and taste good at room temperature.
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PB & J Roll-Ups
PB&J roll-ups keep the same familiar flavors while making lunch bite-size and easy to finish.
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Blueberry Bread Sandwich
This sweet sandwich works well as a small lunch, snack, or occasional treat in the lunchbox.
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Peanut Butter Nutella Sushi
Peanut butter and Nutella roll-ups turn a familiar sweet sandwich into bite-size pieces that are easy to pack.
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Hawaiian Ham & Cheese Sliders
Ham, cheese, and pineapple make these sliders sweet, savory, and easy to assemble in five minutes.
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Buffalo Chicken Sliders
Buffalo chicken and melted cheese make these sliders bold, filling, and a great way to use leftover chicken.
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Grilled Sandwiches for Kids
Grilled sandwiches are a good way to use leftovers and make a familiar lunch feel more filling. Pack them warm in a thermos-style container or let them cool completely before packing for a crispier lunch.
Chicken & Apple Grilled Sandwich
Leftover chicken and crisp apple turn grilled cheese into a sweet-savory lunch with extra protein.
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Hawaiian Grilled Cheese
Ham, pineapple, and melted cheese make this eight-minute grilled sandwich sweet, savory, and filling.
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Stop Wondering What to Pack.
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.
Quick Pepperoni Sandwich
Pepperoni and melted cheese give this quick sandwich pizza flavor without needing to pack a slice.
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Taco Grilled Cheese
Use taco-night leftovers between crispy bread and melted cheese for an easy next-day lunch.
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Apple & Cheddar Grilled Cheese
Apple and cheddar give grilled cheese a sweet-savory upgrade with plenty of crunch.
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Philly Grilled Cheese
Leftover steak and grilled veggies turn grilled cheese into a hearty sandwich for bigger appetites.
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Classic Tuna Melt
A can of tuna becomes a warm, protein-rich sandwich with melted cheese and almost no prep.
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Grilled Cheese Dippers with Tomato Soup
Grilled cheese cut into dippers makes tomato soup easier and more fun to eat at school.
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Grilled PBJ Sandwich
Grilling PB&J gives the classic sandwich warm filling and crisp bread without changing the flavors kids already like.
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Preventing Soggy Sandwiches
Watch this quick video for my best tips on packing sandwiches for lunch so the bread stays fresh and the fillings do not make it soggy.
25+ Sandwich Ideas for Kids
One of these sandwich ideas is sure to become a new kid favorite. Don't know where to start? Try making these homemade uncrustables, they're always a winner.
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Watch How It’s Made:
Ingredients
- 8 slices sandwich bread, your favorite
- ¼ cup peanut butter, smooth or chunky
- ¼ cup jelly or preserves, your favorite
Instructions
Make the sandwiches:
- Spread the peanut butter on half of the bread slices, keeping most of it in the center, especially the jelly. Make as many as needed.
Seal & remove the crusts:
- Push down from the sides, like using a cookie cutter, and once you’ve cut through the bread, press the middle sealer down and hold it in place for 15 to 30 seconds to seal the edges. Cutting it first, then sealing, ensures a tight crimp and helps prevent the filling from leaking. Holding it down will seal it tightly and prevent the filling from leaking. After that, pull the crusts away from the sealer.
Freeze for later:
- If making a lot, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze. Once frozen, transfer them into a large zip bag and keep them frozen. Or, place each uncrustable inside a sandwich size zip bag and freeze individually.
Pack for lunch:
- Pack the frozen uncrustable inside the main compartment of a lunch box. Add any sides, like fruit and veggies, in separate compartments or containers. If the uncrustable is inside a zip bag, just add it directly inside the lunch bag.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 219kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 326mg | Potassium: 166mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Calcium: 111mg | Iron: 2mg
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