27 Healthy Kid-Friendly Lunches for Fall

August 06, 2020

Make a healthy, kid-friendly lunch with these recipes. These lunches are perfect for fall and can be packed in any lunchbox with ease. Or, if your kids are at home, they’re easy enough for your kids to make themselves (with supervision, of course!). Recipes like Turkey Apple Cheddar Sandwich and Alphabet Soup are healthy, filling and a great option for weekday lunches.

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Rainbow Veggie Wraps

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There's definitely a sushi vibe to these kid-friendly wraps, which are stuffed with vegetables, cheese and hummus and then rolled and sliced. Serve them with store-bought green goddess, a creamy herb-filled dressing, to take it up a notch with ease. They look impressive but they're easy enough for kids to assemble themselves for an easy lunch or dinner. Source: EatingWell Magazine, May 2019

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Strawberry-Chocolate Smoothie

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This creamy, rich strawberry-chocolate smoothie will satisfy any chocolate cravings. It's so decadent you might want it as a dessert, too. Source: EatingWell.com, March 2019

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Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons

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Skip the dipping and add crispy grilled cheese croutons right into your soup instead. Don't have a panini press? Make the grilled cheese for the croutons in a skillet or in a waffle maker instead. Opt for San Marzano tomatoes if you can. They have a much richer flavor and they tend to be lower in sodium. Source: EatingWell.com, August 2018

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DIY Lunch Kits for Kids

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In search of new lunch ideas for kids? Children will be delighted by our healthy take on Lunchables, which includes turkey, cheese and crackers for building mini sandwiches, plus fruit, veggies with dip and even a little chocolate for dessert. It's a cute way to encourage your kids to eat a healthy lunch, plus you save money by making the kits instead of buying them. You might even want to make yourself one of these bento lunches to take to work for the nostalgia factor--they're sure to make back-to-school time more fun for kids and adults alike. Source: EatingWell.com, June 2019

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Pepperoni Pizza Roll-Up Bento Lunch

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Kids love pizza and this bento box lunch gives them all the familiar pizza flavors they love, along with a serving of colorful, healthy vegetables and a fruit dessert. Plus, this healthy lunch is a breeze to pack up! Source: EatingWell.com, September 2018

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Turkey Apple Cheddar Sandwich

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It only takes 5 minutes to make this healthy sandwich with whole-wheat bread and the classic combination of Cheddar cheese and apples that your kids will love. Source: EatingWell.com, June 2017

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Alphabet Soup

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Recite your ABC's while you enjoy this kid-friendly soup that you can feel good about serving--it's packed with healthy vegetables. If you can't find alphabet noodles, any small pasta (like orzo) will work. Source: EatingWell.com, June 2018

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Toaster-Oven Tostadas

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Would you believe us if we said you can have restaurant-style tostadas at home in just 15 minutes? It's no problem! Simply layer black beans and Cheddar onto corn tortillas and toast in the toaster oven. Source: EatingWell.com, October 2017

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PB&J Bistro Lunch Box

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Inspired by Starbucks' bistro boxes, this peanut butter and jelly lunch will be loved by kids and adults alike. Accompanied by sandwich sides including a yogurt parfait, fruit, veggies and popcorn, this healthy packable lunch will keep you full until dinner. Source: EatingWell.com, May 2018

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Tortilla Pepperoni Pizza

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This easy pizza takes only 15 minutes from start to finish and uses simple ingredients you could find in your pantry. Tomato paste adds flavor without sogging out the crust. Skip the pepperoni for a vegetarian-friendly version, or add your own favorite toppings. Source: EatingWell.com, May 2018

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Turkey, Cheese & Veggie Plate

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This colorful picnic dinner idea features tasty munchies you don't need utensils for and mild flavors that kids prefer, like deli meat, cheese and crunchy raw veggies. It's easy to assemble this complete menu, and adults will enjoy it as much as the kids. The menu calls for store-bought hummus and cookies, but you can easily make them yourself (see Tips, below). Source: EatingWell.com, May 2018

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Confetti Pasta Bento Box

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Cook extra pasta with dinner and set it aside to make an easy pasta salad you can pack for lunch the following day. Add beans, leftover chicken, deli turkey or tuna for extra protein. Source: Eatingwell.com, August 2018

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Strawberry-Almond Butter Sandwich

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A fun change from the traditional peanut butter and jelly, this strawberry and almond butter sandwich is sure to be a lunch box favorite. Source: EatingWell.com, June 2017

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Greek Yogurt Parfait Bento Box

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Greek yogurt provides the filling protein base for this colorful lunch box, but the remaining ingredients are very flexible to accommodate your child's tastes. You can replace the cereal or granola with dried fruit, and swap steamed vegetables for the cherry tomatoes and cucumber. Source: Eatingwell.com, August 2018

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BBQ Ranch Wraps

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Pack these yummy wrap sandwiches for an easy meal on the go. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

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Fruit & Yogurt Smoothie

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This easy fruit smoothie with yogurt recipe calls for just three ingredients--yogurt, fruit juice and whatever frozen fruit you have on hand. Mix up your combinations from day to day for a healthy breakfast or snack you'll never get bored with.

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Cheese Quesadillas with Peppers & Onions

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These 15-minute quesadillas are a notch above basic with the addition of sautéed peppers and onions. Let the kiddos load them up with the toppings at the table. Source: EatingWell.com, February 2018

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Meat & Cheese Cucumber Roll-Ups Bento Box Lunch

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Thinly sliced cucumber is used as a low-carb wrap in this satisfying lunch recipe. Pile sandwich fillings like lunch meat, cheese and veggies on top of the cucumber slices, roll up and cut into bites like sushi. Round out this easy packable lunch with fresh fruit and veggies for a fun meal to take to work or school. Source: EatingWell.com, March 2018

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Egg Salad

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Try this easy egg salad on your favorite multigrain bread or on top of lightly dressed salad greens.

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Apple & Cheddar Pita Pockets

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The flavors of fall, apples and Cheddar, are highlighted with brown mustard and fresh greens, and tucked in a hearty whole-wheat pita to make a satisfying lunch. Source: EatingWell.com, October 2017

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Taco Salad Bento Lunch for Kids

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No more half-eaten lunches--this taco-inspired bento box lunch is a healthy and portable meal your kid will love. Source: EatingWell.com, July 2017

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Turkey BLT Wraps

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This delicious kid-friendly twist on a classic BLT includes turkey. The extra protein makes a filling, healthy lunch to pack up for school or work. Source: EatingWell.com, July 2017

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Toaster-Oven Quesadillas

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We love finding new ways to use our kitchen tools and appliances. These toaster-oven quesadillas with peppers and avocado are the perfect example of an unexpected toaster-oven hack we had to share. Source: EatingWell.com, August 2017

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Breakfast-for-Lunch Bento for Kids

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This bento box idea is full of your kid's breakfast favorites, even waffles. This lunch is packed with healthy foods you will feel good about serving and kids will actually be excited to eat--no more half-eaten lunches! Source: EatingWell.com, July 2017

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Tuna Salad Sandwich with Sweet Relish

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This sweet twist on a classic tuna-salad sandwich is a healthy high-protein lunch that even your kids will love. Source: EatingWell.com, June 2017

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Cream Cheese & Veggie Roll-Up

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With sliced vegetables, a whole-wheat tortilla and baby spinach, these roll-ups make the perfect healthy lunch for your kids to take to school. Source: EatingWell.com, June 2017

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Strawberry-Mango-Banana Smoothie

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Making fruit smoothies at home saves time and money. For this easy smoothie, combine strawberries, mango and banana with a bit of cashew butter and ground chia seeds for body and richness. Source: EatingWell.com, March 2019

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