Below, you’ll find an entire list of kid-approved lunch ideas that are perfect for middle school and beyond.
From sandwiches, wraps, bento boxes, thermos lunches, and more, these school lunches can also be packed by a middle-schooler!
Packing lunches in durable containers and thermoses ensures that lunch will be intact when it’s time to eat. After that, save their favorite recipes to pack on repeat and make lunchtime a breeze!
What Should Middle Schoolers Pack for Lunch?
There’s no limit to what can be packed for lunch when you’re in middle school; that said, you want to make sure the lunch is balanced and filling so hunger doesn’t strike before they get home.
Below, you’ll find lots of ideas, in no particular order, for full lunches and sides to add. Simply click on the orange button to see the recipe or read the tips to keeping it fresh until lunch.
Everything Bento
Assembling a healthy lunch has never been quicker than in this filling bento box!
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Turkey Pasta Salad
Cook up some plain pasta and mix it with your favorite turkey meat and other simple ingredients to bulk it up. Great pack-ahead lunch.
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Chicken Apple Grilled Sandwich
Full of protein and crispy apple slices grilled to perfection! Great way to stretch a little bit of grilled chicken leftovers.
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Bacon & Chicken Ranch Wrap
Another kid-favorite ingredient combination all wrapped up, so it's portable and easy to eat.
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Meatball lunchbox
This school lunch idea turns a few leftover meatballs into a delicious packed lunch!
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Egg Salad Wrap
Make this epic protein-packed wrap that's easy to whip up. Read the tips to keeping it fresh!
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Thermos Mac & Cheese
Have mac & cheese leftovers from dinner? This post shares all the tips on how to pack it so it stays hot in a thermos until lunch!
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Philly Cheesesteak Grilled Cheese
Take roast beef and cheese, grill it, and you've got a killer sandwich. Packing tips in the post.
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Ham & Cheese Roll Ups
The perfect addition to a thermos lunch, half a sandwich, or a wrap.
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Bell Pepper Nachos Lunch
A great way to eat taco meat leftovers at lunch. No need to warm them up!
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Chips & Guacamole Bento
Turn everyone's sidekick into a meal by bulking it up like this. All the packing tips in the post.
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Egg Salad Stuffed Celery
Add these as a side to any lunch for extra protein to keep kids full longer!
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Banana Sushi
This "sushi" is made with bananas, tortillas, and their favorite nut butter for a lunch that checks all the boxes!
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Reuben Pinwheels
Add a little variety from the usual sandwich by packing a pinwheel instead! Tips to keep them fresh in the post.
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Grilled Cheese Dippers Thermos Lunch
You're never too old to dip a grilled cheese sandwich in warm soup. This post shares all the tips on how to pack it and keep it fresh till lunch.
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BBQ Chicken Lunch Wrap
This is an epic wrap that stays fresh and doesn't fall apart; plus, it's high in protein so it's a filling lunch.
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Leftover Chicken Lunchbox
A high-protein lunch idea that's a great add-on to your kids' favorite sides.
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Turkey Pesto Pinwheels
Easy to eat one bite at a time and a great way to use up a little bit of pesto in the fridge.
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Pimento Cheese BLT
For the pimento cheese lover, this is one way to bulk it up and bring it to school.
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Cobb Salad
Cobb salads are the gateway to turning kids into salad lovers! Here are all the tips including how to pack the dressing and more.
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Hawaiian Grilled Cheese
Upgrade the usual ham and cheese with this grilled and delicious version! All the tips on how to keep it fresh in the post.
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Spinach Egg Cups
Delicious, bite-sized bits of protein that are easy to customize! They can be enjoyed hot in a thermos or at room temperature.
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Peanut Butter Apple Sandwich
PB sandwiches are great, add a few slices of crisp apples, and now they're epic!
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Lunchbox Taquitos
Keep it simple with cheesy black beans, or chicken, or taco beef! Your kid will love the crispy outsides and the soft, fluffy insides.
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Buffalo Chicken Quesadilla
A tad spicy, very filling, and a great way to use up chicken leftovers.
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Thermos Lasagna
Hot lunches that will stay hot? Check out this no-cook Lasagna recipe explaining how to keep your middle schooler's lunch hot until it's time to eat.
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Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Pesto
Turn a little bit of leftover chicken into a masterpiece lunch with this classic flavor combo!
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Salami Bento Box with Pears
This is a 5-minute pack that is filled with yummy ingredients. Protein, juicy pears, and the crunchy snacks that your kids love!
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Chicken Salad with Greens
For the kid that needs more protein, pack a side of chicken salad like this or make it a main event.
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Fluffernutter Sandwich
This nostalgic lunch never goes out of style. a Great twist on the classic PB&J.
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Mashed Chickpea Sandwich
A meatless and filling lunch idea for days where you're out of deli meat. This works with any type of bean.
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Sun Dried Pasta with Chicken
Make the recipe for dinner and save a few leftovers for lunch! All the tips to keep it hot in the post.
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Chicken Teriyaki Bowl
For the kids who absolutely LOVE takeout, this recipe is even better. This Teriyaki Chicken Lunch Bowl is superb for middle schoolers because they will love how warm and inviting it is for lunch.
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Avocado Egg Salad Sandwich
Best served in a wrap or sandwich, this Avocado Egg Salad with Greek Yogurt is a healthy lunch that is full of good fats that kids will want on rotation.
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Santa Fe Chicken Salad
An awesome kid deserves an awesome lunch! Prep this delicious, loaded salad ahead of time for a healthy and fresh lunch.
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Sides for Middle School Lunches
Sides are the perfect way to add nutrition to your kid’s lunches in middle school. They can be homemade or you can buy some of these popular snacks.
Our five most popular snacks are listed below, or select one of these 25 Epic School Lunch Sides for more healthy snacking options!
Cheese Snack Crackers
My version of Cheese Snack Crackers is better than any boxed version out there. These crackers are full of flavor, and pair great with any sandwich or bento.
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Lunchbox Fruit Salad Cups
Add some sweet variety to your middle schooler's lunch! This healthy Fruit Salad is easy to prep ahead and combines all their favorite fruits into one wholesome side.
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Cheese Straws
Flaky puff pastries folded and twisted + ooey gooey cheese = Easy Cheese Straws that are baked to perfection.
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Fruit Leather
If your kids love Fruit Roll Ups, try my Homemade Fruit Leather recipe that is sugar-free and made with two ingredients: strawberries and honey!
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Oven-Baked Potato Chips
Better alternatives to their favorite chips? These baked Potato Chips are perfect for the occasion. Say hello to crunchy potato chips with better ingredients!
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Packing lunches is sometimes the LAST thing we moms want to do, but my easy-to-prep main dishes and snacks make lunchtime a breeze. Get even more ideas from my ebook, 101 Packed lunches. Happy packing!
101 Packed Lunches eBook
All my best kid-friendly lunches from over a decade of creating meal plans. Add some variety to your child’s lunchbox with these epic lunches, plus receive my Pack Meals Like a Pro ebook, free with purchase!
Arianna Call says
great food recipes!