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Packed Lunch Ideas for Kids

By Updated

5 from 5 votes

If you are tired of packing the same sandwich and wondering what else will hold up until lunchtime, these packed lunch ideas for kids will give you plenty of practical options. You'll find lunchables, wraps, bentos, warm lunches, and snack-style meals that are easy to customize for your child.

collage with eight pictures of packed lunches for kids

Best Packed Lunches for Kids

Laura Fuentes holding a stack of lunchboxes and a school lunch bag

I've been packing school lunches for my kids for more than a decade, and the ideas that worked best were simple to assemble, easy to eat, and made with foods they already enjoyed. The packed lunch ideas below follow that same approach, with tips for keeping each one fresh in the lunch bag.

bento box with crackers, hard-boiled eggs, cucumber, turkey and cheese. Another lunchbox with grapes. A cracker with turkey and cheese on the side.
DIY Lunchable
5 from 27 votes
Crackers, meat, and cheese make this DIY lunchable easy to customize and more filling than the boxed version.
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homemade taco lunchable in a school lunch container
Taco Lunchables
5 from 34 votes
Use taco-night leftovers to build a fun lunchable kids can assemble one bite at a time.
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a chicken nugget being dipped into a sauce cup of Ranch dressing with a lunch container filled with chicken nuggets, veggies, and strawberries, in the background.
Chicken Nuggets Lunchable
4.96 from 24 votes
Use homemade or frozen nuggets to make a quick lunchable with fruit, vegetables, and crunchy sides.
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a stack of 3 uncrustables filled with peanut butter and jelly
DIY Uncrustables
4.99 from 69 votes
Freeze a batch of homemade Uncrustables so a reliable lunch is ready on busy mornings.
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Mini Pancakes Lunch Box
5 from 9 votes
Turn leftover or frozen pancakes into small sandwiches for a sweet-and-savory packed lunch.
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greek chicken bento box with cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, pita and tzatziki sauce, plus grapes on a small container on the side.
Mediterranean Packed Lunch
5 from 5 votes
Greek-inspired protein, vegetables, and crunchy sides make this lunch fresh, filling, and quick to assemble.
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BBQ Chicken Wrap
5 from 19 votes
Rotisserie chicken makes this barbecue wrap fast to prep and sturdy enough for a lunchbox.
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pizza bento box
Mess-Free Pizza Bento
5 from 16 votes
Hummus replaces red sauce in this mess-free pizza bento with toppings kids can assemble themselves.
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salami and pears lunchbox
Salami Bento with Pears
5 from 24 votes
Salami, pears, and crunchy sides make this five-minute bento easy and satisfying.
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Grapes & Cheese Bento
5 from 28 votes
This snack-style lunch works well for kids who prefer grazing over one large main.
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protein lunchable
Protein Lunchable
5 from 15 votes
Add eggs, meat, cheese, and crackers to make a homemade lunchable with more staying power.
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fruits and veggies and turkey inside a lunch container
Picnic Lunch
5 from 16 votes
Fruit, protein, and crunchy sides make this picnic-style lunch colorful and easy to eat.
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Homemade Pizza Uncrustables
5 from 15 votes
These homemade pockets recreate a frozen-aisle favorite with a filling you can customize.
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ham and cheese mini quiches in a lunchbox
Ham and Cheese Egg Muffins
5 from 18 votes
Make egg muffins ahead and use them as an easy protein option throughout the week.
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Cheddar & Apple Quesadillas
5 from 16 votes
Apple and cheese make these quesadillas sweet, savory, and easy to pack.
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Rainbow Snack Box
5 from 19 votes
Use this colorful snack box as a simple blueprint for adding fruit, vegetables, protein, and crunch.
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Hummus and Carrots Bento
5 from 20 votes
Hummus and carrots add a crunchy, dip-able side to sandwiches, wraps, or snack boxes.
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Turkey Bacon Bento
5 from 18 votes
This savory bento is easy to prep ahead and works well for kids who enjoy dips and protein-rich foods.
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Tzatziki Dipping Bento
5 from 19 votes
Bite-size protein and sides make this lunch quick to pack and easy to finish while kids socialize.
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A bento box filled with deli turkey, sliced cheese, hard-boiled egg, red bell pepper, whole grain crackers, and a sauce cup of guacamole with a side container of grapes.
Guacamole & Protein
5 from 32 votes
Guacamole, protein, fruit, and crunchy sides give kids plenty of variety in one box.
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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.

101 packed lunches on an ipad with a lunch packing tips ebook on an iphone
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Dill Pickle Box
5 from 21 votes
Pickles and crunchy sides make this a fun add-on for a sandwich or snack-style lunch.
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Black Bean Taquitos
5 from 16 votes
Turn dinner leftovers into crispy black bean taquitos that pack well for school.
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Grilled PB & J
5 from 9 votes
Grilling a PB&J gives the classic sandwich a warm, crispy upgrade.
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turkey pesto pinwheels and berries in a lunchbox
Turkey Pesto Pinwheels
5 from 18 votes
Turkey, pesto, and cream cheese make these pinwheels flavorful, mess-free, and ready in minutes.
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meatball skewers lunchbox
Meatball Skewers
5 from 9 votes
Meatballs, bread, and sauce turn leftovers into an easy three-part lunch kids can eat one piece at a time.
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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. 

Lunchbox builder pages
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Watch the video below for my best tips on packing lunches so they stay fresh until it is time to eat.

by Laura Fuentes
onApril 11, 2024

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  1. Tayler says

    5 stars
    I’m always trying to come up with new ideas for the kids’ lunches. These are all such great ideas and I can’t wait to try them all!

    Reply

  2. Nathan says

    5 stars
    This is such a fantastic collection of lunch ideas! I know they’re “for kids” but I might start using some of these for myself, LOL. The grilled PB&J sounds particularly good!

    Reply

  3. Bobby says

    5 stars
    This is such an awesome resource! Bookmarked!

    Reply

  4. Stephanie says

    5 stars
    Thanks for all of these great lunchbox packing ideas! My children also thank you as I’m not very good at coming up with tasty ideas for their packed lunches.

    Reply

  5. Kushi Mallya says

    5 stars
    Some of the best lunch ideas for kids. Thanks a lot for sharing.

    Reply