30 Easy School Lunch Ideas for Kids

This post shares easy school lunch ideas your kids will love.

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Back to school season is upon on and what every parent dreads is looming – packing school lunches. Every year I swear that I’m going to change things up but I always end up defaulting to our usual ham sandwich or leftovers. While those aren’t horrible our kids school does not have a microwave and not all leftovers work well in a thermos. We know many parents have the same struggles as us when it comes to school lunches. So, here is our list of easy school lunch ideas to help give you a head start on the new school year.

 

1.  Air Fryer Pizza Roll Ups

I feel very confident that every single child out there is a fan of pizza! and for good reason!

 

These simple yet delicious pizza roll ups are quick to make in the mornings especially if they are prepped the night before.

 

Put in your child’s favorite pizza toppings or keep it simple with just sauce and cheese. Air fry and put them into your childs thermos!

 

2. White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

The classic mac and cheese for lunch is such a staple in our household.

 

We love to make it ahead of time and then easily reheat it by adding in some milk and popping it into the microwave or on the stove top.

 

This creamy white cheddar mac is a slight twist on what your kids would normally have but I’m sure it will be a hit!

 

3. Mortadella, Burrata and Pesto Focaccia Sandwich

 

If you’re going to do a sandwich for lunch you need to do it up right!

 

This amazing sandwich is filled with some incredible Italian ingredients. You can always swap out the meat and cheese to suit your families needs.

 

4. Sushi

 

Sushi is a fun and unique school lunch that your kids are sure to be excited about!

 

You can have raw fish, veggies, or a mix of both like in the photo above.

 

Serve with soy sauce and maybe even a little wasabi if you kiddo likes the heat.

 

5. Cheesy Meatball Bites

 

These saucy and tasty cheesy meatball bites are the perfect mix of protein and carbs to fill your little one up.

 

I would recommend heating these up in the air fryer in the morning so you are able to get a good crunch on the shell.

 

6. Crunchy Chicken Caesar Wraps

 

Easily throw some chicken fingers into the air fryer the night before, toss your salad together and assemble.

 

For when they inevitably get sick of their regular every day sandwich order.

 

7. No Bake Energy Bites

If your kiddo isn’t huge on lunch or prefers to graze these protein energy bites are for you.

 

They are incredibly easy to meal prep a head of time to toss into their lunch.

 

They are also perfect for snacking as well! If they are being brought to school just ensure you use a nut free option like sunflower butter.

 

8. Chicken Burrito Bowls

These burrito bowls have all the taste of takeout but are much healthier

 

I love that you can eat these either hot and cold which is perfect for a school lunch.

 

You can switch out the protein and veggies to whatever you or your kiddo likes!

 

9. Bacon Chicken Ranch Pinwheels

 

These delicious chicken filled pinwheels will make your kids lunch the talk to the lunchroom.

 

Love that they are incredibly easy to prep ahead of time saving you from having to rush in the morning

 

With all the good stuff including cream cheese, bacon, cheddar, and more this is sure to fill your kiddo up for the day.

 

10. Air Fryer Pizza Rolls

These pizza rolls taste great hot or cold which is fantastic for a school lunch.

 

Fill them with your choice of toppings including pepperoni, bell peppers, mushrooms, and so much more!

 

You can make the homemade sauce in the recipe or just use a premade jar from the store.

 

11. Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls

Teriyaki chicken rice bowls are one of our favorite hot lunches to send to school

 

Often this is leftovers from dinner as it would be pretty difficult to throw together from scratch in the morning.

 

We fill ours with all of our kids favorite veggies and they absolutely love having it as their lunch

 

Simply reheat and toss it into their thermos for a quick and easy to eat meal at school

 

12. Waffles

You have heard of breakfast for dinner but why not breakfast for lunch!?

 

Waffles are a great choice for a breakfast for lunch option. I would recommend slicing them into sticks so they easily fit in your thermos.

 

Serve with a side of maple syrup, fruit, and a protein of your choice.

 

13. Bento Box

 

Doing a bento box lunch is a fantastic way to include a variety of different foods your kids love

 

This is a Mediterranean style box that includes pitas, hummus, chicken, and some fruits and veggies.

 

Easily swap in your child’s favorite protein, veggies, fruits, and a little treat!

 

14. Corn Dog Muffins

These mini corndogs are not only incredibly cute but also delicious!

 

Served either warm in a thermos or chilled they are sure to be a hit.

 

Be sure to serve them with whichever condiments your child enjoys. My personal fav is mustard.

 

15. Caprese Pasta Salad

Pasta salads are a great option for a cold lunch at school.

 

This is a caprese salad however, the options are almost endless and you can fill it full of ingredients your child loves.

 

Ensure you add in some protein whether that be cheese, chicken, bacon, or whatever works for your child.

 

16. Egg Bites

Most of us may think that eggs are only for breakfast but they are fantastic for any meal including lunch

 

These egg bite recipe is super easy and allows for customization depending on your child’s preferences.

 

Even if your child just likes cheese added these a great for protein and you can add other things to their lunch to balance it out.

 

17. Chicken Quesadillas

Quesadillas are a delicious warm food option for your kids school lunch.

 

While this recipe is for a chicken quesadilla you can fill it with whatever protein you like including just cheese, black beans, steak, fish, and more.

 

18. Chicken Noodle Soup

 

The fall brings chilly weather and soup is the best cure for that!

 

Homemade chicken noodle soup is the absolute best and the perfect thing to fill your kiddos thermos with.

 

We love to make ours in our dutch oven

 

Bonus if you had in some twirly pasta!

 

19. Turkey Cheese Crescent Rolls

A bit of a twist on a regular every day sandwich for lunch.

 

These tasty homemade sandwiches use just a couple of ingredients to make a lunch your kiddos will be excited to eat.

 

Feel free to add in any veggies your child may like for added crunch!

 

20. BLT Wrap

BLTs have been my own personal hyper fixation lunch for about a year now

 

My kids have preferred wraps over traditional bread and I’m loving the change up!

 

Add on a side of fruit and a bag of chips and you have yourself a complete delicious lunch.

 

21.  Delicious Bagel Sandwich

 

My family and I have been on a major bagel kick for breakfast but they are amazing for lunches too

 

While it is still a sandwich I love the change up and a bagel for bread just hits different!

 

Feel free to omit the asiago cheese on top for picky eaters and fill the sandwich with your kids favorite meats and veggies

 

22.  Hearty Chili 

 

Thermos friendly lunches are my absolute favorite and for good reason

 

Throwing some boiling water into the container while I make breakfast and get organized for the day is a game changer

 

This tasty chili is perfect for when there is a chill in the air and they are looking for a warm you up meal

 

Add a bun or a red lobster cheddar bay biscuit on the side and you will be mom of the year! Here’s the box mix to make your life easier.

 

23.  Protein Smoothie 

Sometimes kids aren’t really big on lunch and just need something to get them through to dinner

 

A protein smoothie can be the answer to your problem! Add in some protein powder or nut butter of your choice with yogurt

 

Put your smoothie into an insulated tumbler to keep it nice and cold! This recipe is for a strawberry banana smoothie but the flavor options are endless

 

24.  Chicken Fingers 

 

We can’t ignore every child’s favorite food now can we?!

 

I have linked a recipe for delicious homemade chicken fingers but frozen work just as well

 

I find adding in tin foil to your thermos helps prevent condensation and making the breading soggy

 

25. Air Fryer Bagel Bites

 

Pizza in any form is sure to be a hit in your school lunch but here is a recipe for homemade bagel bites you will even love

 

Again, incredibly easy to make ahead of time and pop in the air fryer in the morning

 

Top with whatever your child likes and add in some foil for insulation!

 

26. Mini Pita Pocket 

 

This healthy but delicious pita pocket sandwich will be a welcome change to their typical ham and cheese

 

Avocado adds in some healthy fats and tastes wonderful with chicken and any condiments you enjoy

 

Make your chicken in your crockpot to simplify your meal prep!

 

27.  Mini Pizza Lunch

 

My kids are big fans of cold pizza making these a wonderful school lunch idea!

 

This recipe calls for english muffins but I think mini pitas or naan bread would work great too

 

Add fruits, veggies, and any other snacks your kids enjoy for a balanced meal 

 

28. Pancake Muffins 

 

If breakfast is your child’s favorite meal then I have the lunch inspo for you!

 

Who says the morning is the only time you can have breakfast? these easy to make pancake muffins make lunch easy and delicious

 

Be sure to pair with fruit and some sort of protein

 

29.  Ranch Pasta Salad 

 

I feel like ranch is a main food group for children… at least mine anyway

 

This pasta salad is a great option if you’re in need of a cold lunch with no thermos or way to heat up their meal

 

I would add in some freshly cooked bacon to get a bit more protein into the pasta

 

30.  Homemade Uncrustables

 

Finishing off with a classic lunch staple!

 

I think all of us enjoy when we throw in a comfort food like PB&J into the rotation and taking inspo from uncrustables takes it up a notch

 

Of course you know the rules at your own school so choose your nut butter accordingly

 

If you want to make the PERFECT uncrustable you need the shape cutter linked here!

 

 

We truly hope our list of easy school lunch ideas helped give you some inspiration for the school year. Finding a mix of meals your kids enjoy eating makes life so much easier. Please let us know in the comments which one was your favorite or if there is one we missed that you think we should add to our list.