15 Easy School Lunch Ideas

Pizza Roll-Up Bento Lunch

It's back-to-school season, and these healthy, packable lunches will have your kids starting it off on the right foot. Whether you're prepping the night before or the morning of, these midday meals are easy to make as they only take 20 minutes or less. Recipes like our Turkey BLT Wraps and Pizza Roll-Up Bento Boxes are yummy and filling.

01 of 15

Taco Salad Bento Lunch for Kids

76032.jpg

No more half-eaten lunches--this taco-inspired bento box lunch is a healthy and portable meal your kid will love.

02 of 15

Rainbow Veggie Wraps

6538898.jpg

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.

03 of 15

Chicken Caprese Pasta Salad Bowls

chicken caprese pasta salad in glass food storage container

Pasta salad is a classic summer side dish, but adding protein (leftover grilled chicken is perfect here) and extra greens makes it a super-satisfying lunch. We use baby spinach, but arugula or baby kale works too. Top with a bright and tangy basil vinaigrette just before serving. The great news is that these easy meal-prep lunches take just 20 minutes to prepare--that's 4 days of lunches in less than 30 minutes.

04 of 15

Garlic Hummus

4326219.jpg

This classic hummus recipe couldn't be easier—just toss a few ingredients in the food processor and whir away! Aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) makes this healthy dip extra smooth and creamy. Serve with veggie chips, pita chips or crudités.

05 of 15

Turkey BLT Wraps

4535699.jpg

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.

06 of 15

Breakfast-for-Lunch Bento for Kids

4538619.jpg

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!

07 of 15

Kid-Friendly Salad

5120515.jpg

Make salad something your kids will actually want to eat with this kid-friendly crudité. Put it out before dinner and watch them eat all their veggies without a fuss!

08 of 15

Rainbow Bento Lunch for Kids

4538553.jpg

This bento box idea makes lunch fun. With its colorful carrots and swirled yogurt, this packable lunch is a healthy meal kids will actually want to eat--no more half-eaten lunches.

09 of 15

3-Ingredient Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Salad

3-Ingredient Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Salad
Carolyn Hodges

We put a flavor twist on the classic chicken salad by using a lemon-herb mayonnaise. Try other mayo varieties, like roasted garlic or chipotle lime, in this fast, no-cook lunch recipe. Serve with whole-grain crackers.

10 of 15

Strawberry & Cream Cheese Sandwich

3756636.jpg

Sliced strawberries and reduced-fat cream cheese come together in a sandwich for this quick and healthy lunchbox treat.

11 of 15

Charcuterie Bistro Lunch Box

5397872.jpg

Inspired by Starbucks' bistro boxes, this packable lunch is just like a personal-size cheese plate to take on-the-go. The healthy and easy snack-style meal is perfect to take for lunch at work or school or for a light picnic date night.

12 of 15

Turkey Apple Cheddar Sandwich

4526738.jpg

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.

13 of 15

PB&J Bistro Lunch Box

5397875.jpg

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. Use sunflower seed butter in place of peanut butter to make it nut-free.

14 of 15

Pizza Roll-Up Bento Lunch

Pizza Roll-Up Bento Lunch

This easy pizza-inspired roll-up is a kid-pleaser. Make crunchy vegetables more appealing by selecting colorful varieties like orange and purple cauliflower--and don't forget the dip! Keep 'em smiling with watermelon cut into fun shapes with cookie cutters.

15 of 15

Cucumber Sandwich

Cucumber Sandwich
Photographer / Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist / Kay Clarke, Food Stylist / Ruth Blackburn

This creamy, crunchy cucumber sandwich recipe strikes a lovely balance between decadent and light. The cream cheese-yogurt spread complements the crisp refreshing cucumber while the hearty flavor and texture of the whole-wheat bread holds everything together. Removing the crusts makes it more delicate than your average sandwich.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles