Packing school lunches can be a daunting task. We homeschool, but we do manage to go to activities once or twice a week where we have to pack up and go. I used to stress about it, but I have gotten a lot better over the past few months. I used to wonder how to create a packed lunch for kids, but I’ve been experimenting and came up with a huge master list that I pull from depending on what we have on hand.

*Many thanks to Fruit Shoot for sponsoring this post and inspiring me to share fun solutions for my kids’ lunches!

This is a topic I start to think about more when it comes time for back to school.

No matter what you decide to prepare, always make sure to include plenty of good fruit and vegetable choices that are easy to eat.  Try to create a rainbow of colors each time so it’s visually appealing to your kids.  It makes it more fun to enjoy and less likely to get thrown away or stuffed back in the lunch box!

I also like to include sides like yogurt, cheese sticks, dill pickle spears, applesauce cups, pudding, gelatin, and even homemade baked treats as a little dessert. My kids are thrilled when they find a cookie or slice of banana bread in there.

It’s important to include a yummy drink that kids will enjoy so they can stay hydrated for their busy day.  Lately, my kids have been excited about drinking Fruit Shoot.

30 Sandwiches, Tortilla Wraps, Stuffed Pitas or Lettuce Wraps

These ideas are all tasty wrapped up!  This makes them easy to eat, and simple to make.  Feel free to spruce these ideas up with various veggies or condiments to make it to your child’s liking.

• Egg Salad
• Turkey Salad
• Beans & Cheese (Burritos are simple!)
• Chopped Beef
• Shredded Pork
• Grilled Cheese (or Quesadillas)
• Roast Beef and American Cheese
• Meatballs with Marinara
• PB & J (If nuts aren’t allowed, try a spread made of sunflower seeds instead.)
• PB & Banana (Again, you can try a sunflower seed butter instead.)
• Bologna and Cheese
• Grilled Chicken and Spinach
• Cream Cheese and Jelly
• Meatloaf
• Chicken Salad
• Tuna Salad
• Pimento Cheese
• Pizza Style (Marinara Sauce, Mozzarella Cheese, and whatever they normally like on their pizza!)
• Turkey and Avocado
• PB & Honey (Again, you can try a sunflower seed butter instead.)
• Ham and Cheddar
• Sloppy Joe
• Italian Sausage, Bell Pepper, and Onion
• Turkey and Swiss
• Garden Vegetable (Load it up with your child’s favorites!)
• Cream Cheese and Cucumber
• Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato
• Grilled Cheddar and Apple Butter
• Philly Cheese steak
• Grilled Eggplant, Onion, Mozzarella, and Basil

40 More Fun and Easy (Non-Sandwich) Lunch Ideas

Sometimes, you just want to think outside of the box and go for something that just isn’t a sandwich!  There are many great options that are easy to pack and your kids will love them.  Soups and many other warm items can be packed in Thermos containers.  I love to use reusable containers for lunches to cut down on plastic bag waste.

• Leftovers
• Chili
• Pizza Slices
• Broccoli, Rice, and Cheese Casserole
• Baked Beans and Ham
• Homemade “Lunchable”  (Slices of Cheese, Lunch Meat, Pepperoni, and Crackers)
• Fried or Roasted Chicken on the Bone
• Chicken Noodle Soup
• Egg Rolls
• Hamburger With Their Favorite Toppings
• Macaroni and Cheese
• Chicken Nuggets and Sweet Potato Chips
• Quiche
• Loaded Mashed Potatoes
• Pasta Salad
• Tacos
• Tomato Soup with Cheese Crackers
• Egg Drop Soup
• Lentils and Rice
• Ravioli
• Hot Dogs
• Hummus and Veggies with Pita Chips
• Chopped Salads with Various Toppings
• Spaghetti and Meatballs
• Fried Rice
• Meatloaf Muffins
• Make Your Own Tortilla Pizza (You could also use English muffins.  Just pick the bread and pack small packets of spaghetti sauce, mozzarella cheese, and toppings and they can do it themselves!)
• Bacon and Waffles
• Potato Soup
• Chicken Wings with Celery and Carrot Sticks
• Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
• Loaded Potato Skins
• Baked Tortilla Chips with a Layered Dip (Ideas for this would be refried beans, cream cheese, salsa, guacamole, olives, cheddar cheese, black bean and corn salsa, lettuce, chopped tomatoes, or anything else they love!)
• Rice and Beans
• Corn Dogs
• Sausage Slices in Barbecue Sauce
• Deviled Eggs
• Pigs In a Blanket
• Cottage Cheese, Trail Mix, and Fruit or Vegetable Slices
• Beanie Weenies (Pork n Beans with chopped up hot dogs)

Not every item on this list is going to be a winner with your child, but I hope it inspires you to step out of your comfort zone to experiment with new, easy ideas for packing school lunches.  Remember to round everything out with plenty of fruits and veggie, as well as a good drink to keep them hydrated.

What do your kids love in their school lunches?