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The best lunches are the ones that get eaten! Browse through this list of simple school lunch ideas you can pack real quick!
When you need lunch packed fast but don't want to send the same thing again, these simple school lunch ideas make it easy to mix things up. They're quick to assemble, easy to customize, and made with everyday ingredients you can pull together on a busy morning.
Easy Ideas for School Lunch
These are the school lunches I come back to when I need something quick that I know will pack well. Most can be made the night before or pulled together in the morning with ingredients you have on hand and what your kids like. Click through to the ideas for tips to pack each keep them fresh until lunch.
Easy Lunchbox Tacos
Ham and cheese lunchbox tacos use simple ingredients and leftover tortillas for a quick change from another sandwich.
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Protein Lunchable
This protein-packed lunchable takes five minutes to assemble and is easy to customize with the foods your kid likes.
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Salami Bento Box with Pears
Salami, pears, cheese, and crunchy sides make this no-cook lunch fast to pack and easy to eat.
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Banana Sushi Rolls
Banana sushi turns a tortilla, banana, and nut or seed butter into a filling lunch that is easy to slice and pack.
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Grapes & Cheese Bento
This snack-style lunch is easy to size up or down and works well for kids who prefer smaller bites.
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Easy Roll Ups
These roll-ups are quick to make, easy to hold, and perfect for kids who like bite-size lunches.
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Healthy Turkey & Cheese Lunchable
Crackers, meat, and cheese make this homemade lunchable familiar, filling, and easy to prep in minutes.
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DIY Healthy Lunchable
Banana chips add crunch to a simple lunchbox and pair well with protein, fruit, and other easy sides.
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Easy Cut-Out Sandwiches
Cut-out sandwiches make a basic lunch more fun without adding much extra work in the morning.
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Apple & Peanut Butter Sandwich
Apple and peanut butter add crunch, sweetness, and staying power to a simple sandwich.
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Ham & Cheese Apple Wraps
Ham, cheese, and apple make a quick sweet-and-savory lunch when you are out of bread.
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Easy Tomato & Cheese Sandwich
This triple-decker sandwich is hearty enough for older kids or easy to split into two smaller lunches.
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Turkey Pinwheels Lunch
Turkey pinwheels turn a large wrap into tidy, bite-size pieces that are easy to pack and eat.
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Sub Sandwiches for Lunch
A mini sub feels more substantial than a basic sandwich and holds up well until lunchtime.
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Hummus and Carrots Bento
Hummus and carrots make an easy dip-able side for sandwiches, wraps, or thermos lunches.
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Fruit & Veggie Stoplight Bento
A mix of colorful fruit and vegetables gives you a quick side that is easy to prep ahead.
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Picnic Bento Lunch Box
Fruit, protein, and crunchy sides make this picnic-style lunch easy to customize with what you have.
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Cheese and Fruit Bistro Box
This homemade snack box gives you the coffee-shop feel for less and takes only minutes to pack.
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Savory Bento Box
Use small amounts of savory foods you already have to build a quick bento in five minutes.
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Easy Lunch Skewers
Lunch skewers make ham, cheese, and veggies more fun to eat and easy for kids to help assemble.
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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.
Healthy Rainbow Snack Box
Fruit, vegetables, protein, and energy bites come together in one colorful, filling lunchbox.
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Mediterranean Bento Box
This Mediterranean bento can be a full lunch for younger kids or a substantial side for bigger appetites.
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Beef Jerky Snack Box
This protein-rich snack box is quick to pack and works well when you need a no-cook lunch.
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Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders
Ham, cheese, and pineapple make these bites sweet, savory, and easy to pack for kids who love that combo.
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Egg Salad Box
Egg salad adds protein to a simple snack box and can be prepped ahead for an easy school lunch.
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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!
Simple School Lunch Ideas
The best lunches are the ones that get eaten! Browse through this list of simple school lunch ideas you can pack real quick!
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Ingredients
- 1 apple, sliced
- 1 handful of seedless grapes
- 2-4 ounces rolled deli turkey
- 1 ounce pretzel chips or whole-grain crackers
- 1 ounce cheese crisps or cubed cheese
Instructions
- Wash the grapes and slice the apples. Cut each roll of turkey in half.
- Place the grapes, apples, and turkey inside the lunch container.
- Pack the pretzel chips and cheese crisps or cubes into separate compartments to keep them dry.
- Close the lunch container and pack it into a lunch bag with an ice pack.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 lunch | Calories: 326kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 1.203mg | Potassium: 465mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 182IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 146mg | Iron: 2mg
Lauren says
So many delicious school lunch ideas. They are actually simple and easy to make. Thanks Laura!!
Andrea says
The lunch box tacos are my son’s new lunch fave! Can’t wait to try more of these.
Paige says
These really are simple school lunch ideas! My kids love the turkey & cheese cracker stacker and the ham & cheese apple wraps. Got to give the other a try.
Julia says
Even the simplest school lunches make for the best meals! Looking forward to trying these recipes!
Elena says
I love these simple lunch ideas. I hope to start the year strong!
Candace says
My kids went back to school this week and they’re already wanting “new” lunches” vs what I packed. Thank you for these simple school lunch ideas I can pack for them so they feel like it’s variety but I’m not spending 45 minutes packing lunch. hah!