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If your kids love Lunchables but you want something more filling for school, these homemade Lunchable ideas make it easy to build your own. You'll find protein-packed versions of the classics, including pizza, tacos, crackers and cheese, nuggets, and more, all easy to customize with foods your kids like.
Start with the ideas below, then I'll show you how to build a better Lunchable with enough protein, carbs, fruit, and veggies to get kids through the school day.
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Homemade Lunchable Ideas for School
These are the homemade Lunchables I’ve made for my kids for years. Kids love these bento-style lunches, and you’ll appreciate how easy they are to pack for school. Use the ingredient lists as a starting point and swap in the foods your kids like best.
Protein Lunchable
- Hard-boiled egg
- Deli turkey
- Cheese
- Crackers
- Fruit
Pizza Lunchable
- Round pita
- Marinara sauce
- Cheese
- Toppings
Taco Lunchable
- Tortillas
- cooked taco meat
- Shredded cheese
- Toppings
Chicken Nuggets Lunchable
- Chicken nuggets
- Fruit & veggies
- Dipping sauce
Turkey & Cheese Lunchable
- Rolled deli turkey
- Cheese
- Crackers
- Fruit
Protein & Guac Lunchable
- Protein (eggs & turkey)
- Guacamole
- Fruit & veggies
- Crackers
Charcuterie Lunchables
- Salami
- Cheese
- Olives
- Veggies + hummus
- Hard-boiled egg
- Crackers
Download Your FREE Lunchbox Builder
Stop wondering what to pack for school every morning.
This simple printable helps you turn the ingredients you already have into easy, kid-approved lunches in minutes!
Lunchables Sub Sandwich
- Hoagie roll
- Ham
- Cheese
- Fruit + veggies
Healthy Lunchable
- Ham slices cut into circles
- Cheese Slices
- Crackers or banana chips
- Baby carrots
DIY Nacho Lunchables
- Leftover grilled chicken
- Sliced fruit & veggies
- Homemade cheese dip
- Corn chips
- Black olives
Filling Lunchables
- Cheese
- Extra deli meat
- Whole-grain crackers
- Fruit & snack
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.
How to Build a Better Lunchable
A better homemade Lunchable starts with enough food to make it a real lunch. Use a compartment container and choose something from each of these groups, adjusting the portions for your child's appetite.
- Protein: hard-boiled eggs, deli meat, cheese, chicken nuggets, or peanut butter
- Carbs: crackers, bread, pita, pretzels, or granola
- Fruit: berries, grapes, apples, oranges, or banana chips
- Veggies: carrots, cucumber, tomatoes, celery, or edamame
- Something fun: a dip, cookie, chocolate, or another small treat
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.
Best Containers for Homemade Lunchables
A compartmentalized lunch container keeps the ingredients separate, while small lidded containers are useful for sauces and dips.
Watch me turn three popular Lunchables into more filling homemade versions for school.
Packing one for yourself? Try one of these adult Lunchables for more ideas.
Healthy Homemade Lunchables | Turkey & Cheese Lunchable
Watch How It’s Made:
Ingredients
- 4-6 slices deli turkey, rolled
- 1- ounce cheese, sliced
- 1 cup berries, your choice
- Whole-grain crackers
Instructions
- Evenly dived the ingredients into a compartmentalized lunch container. Pack the crackers in a separate compartment or container to prevent them from getting soggy.Â
Vanessa says
I love all of these things but it doesn’t matter WHAT you give them if they WON’T EAT IT! My almost 5 year old would gladly eat the Lunchable but when I cut cheese and meat from the deli into pretty shapes, she won’t touch it. I’m about ready to trade her in for a new one. :slightly_smiling_face:
MOMables says
Vanessa, I used to buy store bought lunches, throw away the contents and use their container to insert my own. I bought a ‘circle’ cutter for the ham, asked the deli dept to slice it a bit thicker, and cut my own cheese in chunks (from real cheese). I then sealed the entire thing with glad’s press and seal… put it in the box and sent it to school.
I KNOW, RIDICULOUS… RIGHT? After a while I told my daughter that i was buying the ‘insides’ in bulk and that was that.
keep trying!!
Mary says
These are so good for the kids!
Leah says
Love your channel :) from Canada
MOMables-Laura says
Thank you, Leah!!
Sarah James says
I would have never thought about the pizza and the taco homemade lunchable ideas. I really appreciate these because I can see now that it is better to make my own -not to mention the store bought ones are not enough food!
MOMables-Laura says
Thank you, Sarah! I’m so glad these ideas are helpful, and yes, you are correct, these include a lot more food.
Julie says
What type of container are you showing?
Thanks,
Julie
MOMables says
Julie, that’s a lunchbots trio. You can find it here.
Jamie says
This site is so fabulous!! I have two grown boys that I dreaded making lunches for, so this past year I allowed them to buy school lunch. Big mistake!! My oldest sarted jr. high and ate nachos almost everday. Even though they are 13 and 10 and will need more than what you have here, I can really use your ideas and beef it up a bit for them. I also have a two year old daughter so this is fantastic!
I have a health coaching business that works to create haelthier families. I will be recommending your site all the time. Keep up the great work!!
Thank you :)
April says
I agree – I have two teenagers and a five year old…these ideas work great for the two youngest (girls) but my 16 year old son balks at the meals with no meat and small portions. It would be super if you could add an idea to each lunch on how to tweak it for teenage boys aka bottomless pits…
MOMables says
April, our meal plans are loaded with ideas. Bigger kids = bigger portions and additional fruits and veggies as well.
Jade says
I made this for my lunch and thank you it is so quick to make
Love Jade
Janie says
Fun lunch ideas here! What age should kids start packing more independently?
MOMables says
My kids are already helping me pack their lunches now, and I plan to keep it that way through their teens with them helping more and more.