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Never run out of fun and healthy lunches! Mix and Match these 100 lunchbox ideas and recipes for endless possibilities! Includes notes to add for your child!
Oh, the dreaded time of packing the kid’s lunch is upon us again! It is so easy to get into a rut but doesn’t need to be that way! With Over 100 Lunchbox Ideas and Recipes, your child will never be bored with his lunch!
If you are looking for more variety for your kid’s lunches, you are in the right place! The top part of this post is single ideas like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and snacks to add along with the main lunch selection.
Add one or two from each section to give variety and a balanced meal. How many you would add depends on the child’s appetite of course.
The bottom section is recipes and ideas for the main meal. There are over 50 recipes for delicious, kid friendly lunch meals of all different kinds. No need to be bored with these lunches!
A few would need a thermos but most would travel and stay just in the lunchbox or with a cooler pack just fine.
If your eating style is Vegan, Vegetarian, Keto, Paleo, Whole 30, Gluten Free or Dairy Free, there are many ideas and recipes here for you!
Follow my Lunch Recipes Pinterest Board for dozens of ideas from all around the web! I am constantly finding new things to add so there will be new things all the time!
Some Fun Back to School Printables:
Help your kids remember to be kind at school with these Kindness Lunchbox Notes from Coffee and Carpool.
Encourage your kids with these fun and loving 72+ Lunch and School Notes for Kids! Tuck them into their lunch, books, pockets or anywhere! Prewritten options or write your own! Your kids will love these genius 182 Back to School Jokes for Kids!
Back to School Activities and Printables plus Checklists, Crafts, First Day Photos, Lunch Notes & Recipes! All you need to make this time extra fun and special!
A Back to School About Me Printable is a wonderful way to record stats and memories about your child each year on the first day of school! Match school themed pictures with this Free Printable Back to School Memory Matching Game! Perfect for elementary, preschool and even toddler ages!
Back to School Word scrambles are an enjoyable way to practice putting letters together into words and play a game at the same time. These free printable Back to School Word Search puzzles in 2 levels are a fun way to learn words about Back to School!
Several versions of Free Back to School I Spy Printables for fun searching. Different difficulty levels, some in color and some to color. Just print and play with these Free Back to School Bingo Printables! 10 copies, master list for caller and rules included. Print off these 10 Free Back to School Coloring Pages for your children as they begin their new school year!
A Classroom Scavenger Hunt is the perfect way to get the school year started and get to know your classroom! Have fun finding the things on the list! Here are 6 different versions of Free Back to School How Many Words Printables!
Lots more recipes! If you enjoy these posts with lots of recipes to choose from, also check out
100 Special Breakfast Recipes (for Back to School, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day and more!)
Over 100 Red White and Blue Patriotic Recipes
Almost 100 Christmas Desserts Kids Can Make
Over 200 Low Carb & Keto Meal Ideas
Are you following me on Pinterest? I have been working very hard making new boards I think you will love and am adding dozens of new pins daily from all of the popular websites!
You can also follow me on my Facebook groups; my Low Carb and Keto group; Low Carb & Keto Recipes & Helpful Tips Group, my recipes for everyone group; Best Recipes You will Want to Make and my Homeschool group; Loving Homeschool. I am adding daily pictures, links and much more than I would on the blogs and it is a place for you to find support from others on the same journey as you are. Come and share with others, ask questions and learn!
I enjoy offering free recipes for my readers. Your frequent visits to my blog and purchases through affiliate links and ads keep the lights on so to speak. Thank you!
Nuts
Also, be sure you are aware of any nut avoidances your school may have. Some may or may not allow peanuts or peanut butter or any nuts at all. I did list them but you would go with what your school does of course.
Add a little something from each of these sections for balance and variety.
Fruits
Kiwi fruit
Orange slices
Mandarin
Blueberries
Pineapple
Pear
Peach
Plum
Dried fruit
Fruit roll-ups
Berries
Nectarine
Apple
Banana
Cherry tomatoes
Grapes
Melon balls
Dried banana chips
Vegetables
Hummus with veggie sticks
Carrot sticks
Celery
Snow peas
Bell Pepper slices
Cucumber slices
Broccoli and/or cauliflower pieces with ranch dressing to dip
Edamame
Nuts & Seeds
Sunflower seeds
Snacks
Tortilla chips & salsa
Olives
Pickles
Muesli bars
Yogurt
Pretzels
Popcorn
Goldfish crackers
Energy balls
Banana bread
Rice cakes
Yogurt covered raisins
Granola
Dry cereal
Cheese stick
Desserts
Mini marshmallows
M&M’s
Chocolate chips
Add meats, cheeses, tuna salad, chicken salad or PBJ/ABJ to these
Just changing up the bread can really dress up a regular old sandwich!
Roll
Sandwiches
Wrap
Bagel
Naan bread
Pita bread
English Muffin
Other Main Meal Items
(Many of these recipes and more are below!)
Gluten Free Sausage Balls
Pizza Bites
Pasta salad
Meatballs
Ham slices
Nuggets
Kabobs
Diced chicken
Lunch meat & cheese roll-ups
Pizza rolls
Savory muffin
Pizza
Cheese and crackers
Hard boiled egg (How to make Easy to Peel Hard Boiled Eggs)
Over 100 Lunchbox Ideas and Recipes
Never run out of fun and healthy lunchbox ideas and recipes! Mix and Match these ideas for endless possibilities! Includes notes to add for your child!
Low Carb Gluten Free Sausage Balls
Low Carb Gluten Free Sausage Balls are a great breakfast, snack or appetizer! Only 7 ingredients, 1 net carb and ready in just over 30 minutes!
EASY Kids Lunchable Ideas
Homemade lunchables are a popular trend kids love and and I get why. They are so much healthier than those processed packages we’ve grown up with while being so adaptable! Check out these fun DIY lunchable ideas just in time for school!
How To Make Easy Chicken Caesar Wraps
Using various shortcuts, this is a lunch that you will be able to enjoy in under 10 minutes. The freshness of the vegetables paired with the smoky crispy bacon make this wrap a lunchtime favorite.
Easy Turkey Wraps {Using Leftover Turkey}
Turkey wraps are the perfect meal on the go and can be made with turkey from the deli or even leftover roast turkey.
Reuben Sandwich Sliders
Reuben Sandwich Sliders make the perfect lunchbox treat or easy weeknight dinner!
Chicken muffins (Gluten free, AIP, paleo)
These muffins can either be made with leftover roasted chicken or leftover roasted turkey. They are perfect to fill your lunchbox.
Cornbread Cookies
These cornbread cookies are golden, soft, and subtly sweet. They’re nut-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and easy to make.
Nut-Free Chocolate Spread
This nut-free chocolate spread is easy to make and more nutritious than the store bought sugary stuff. Use it in sandwiches or as a dip for fresh fruit or crackers.
Healthy Homemade Crunchwrap + Video
Healthy Homemade Crunchwraps made with picadillo, tomatoes, shredded cheese, and guacamole all wrapped up in a pretty package and grilled to crunchy perfection.
Keto Sausage Pizza Bites
Keto Sausage Pizza Bites; The flavors of pizza in a delicious Keto and gluten free bite; perfect for lunchboxes, appetizers or snacks!
Vegan Raspberry Rhubarb Crumble Bars
Tart fresh rhubarb and sweet raspberries are the filling for these beautiful vegan crumble bars!
Chicken Strawberry Salad Wrap
This recipe is a perfect way to use leftover roasted chicken to whip up this chicken salad studded with creamy avocado, sweet strawberries, and crunchy almonds. Wrap it up in a soft spinach tortilla and it's a healthy lunchbox-friendly meal.
Blueberry & Lemon Energy Balls
These wild blueberry & lemon energy balls are a healthy, quick & easy allergy-friendly snack that are perfect for on the go, to put in lunchboxes and for meal prep as a large batch can be made in just 5 minutes.
Chewy Homemade Granola Bars That Kids Love
These Homemade Granola Bars are a pantry staple. They’re loaded with almonds, dried cranberries, and mini chocolate chips. Kids love both making and eating these granola bars.
Energy Balls - Easy Budget Recipes
This Energy Balls recipe is so easy to make and full of delicious ingredients. Our recipe includes 3 different flavor variations that you’ll love snacking on all of them.
Mini Apple Pies: A Fall School Snack Recipe
These school lunch mini apple pies perfectly capture that warm, cozy feeling of a crisp autumn afternoon.
Ham and Cheese Sliders
These ham and cheese sliders are Hawaiian rolls topped with plenty of sliced ham, swiss cheese and an onion poppy seed butter, then baked to gooey perfection.
Fruit Kabobs
This recipe for fruit kabobs is a rainbow of fruit served on skewers with a yogurt dipping sauce.
Nut Free Cacao Bliss Balls With Coconut Recipe
These yummy bites are easy to make and are the perfect lunch box snack for kids.
Apricot and Coconut Bars
Apricot and Coconut Bars are quickly and easily made and are a great healthy option when you’re in need of an energy boost. These no-bake bars are free of refined sugar, are vegan and gluten-free. As well, they are made with ingredients which are easily found in the supermarket.
Tuna Puff Pastry Pinwheels
Tuna Puff Pastry Pinwheels are the ultimate, easily prepared snack, suitable to serve either hot or at room temperature. They are ideal to add to a lunchbox.
Pepperoni & Cheese Pizza Muffins
Pizza anything is always a hit in my house – from Pizza Dip to Pizza Sliders – we’ve experimented with pizza in countless forms, so it was about time we added a Pepperoni & Cheese Pizza Muffin recipe to our repertoire!
Easy Zoo Themed Lunch for Kids
How to make a fun and easy zoo themed lunch for kids!
Gluten Free Cornbread Lunchbox Muffins
These gluten free cornbread lunchbox muffins couldn’t be easier to make! Simply stir and bake!
Sandwich Lollipops
Sandwich lollipops put a special spin on the “usual” school lunch!
Star-Shaped Mini Ham & Cheese Sandwiches
Kids will love these star-shaped mini ham sandwiches! A wholesome and fun snack or lunchbox idea!
Healthy Eggless Protein Tahini Blondies
This incredibly fudgy and sweet tahini blondies are made from chickpeas! Kid-friendly and makes a great healthy lunchbox filler.
Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Basil
This Simple Pasta with Tomatoes and Basil is one of those treasured minimalist plant-based recipes that is loved by adults and kids alike. You can taste the flavors, the texture and have the full eating pasta experience.
Super-Easy Pasta Salad | Budget-Friendly Meal
This recipe is so incredibly easy to make and is adored by both kids and adults! It's a great recipe to prepare in bulk to have ready for lunches throughout the week!
5 Ingredient Instant Pot Mac And Cheese
Mac and cheese is quick and easy to make. It is perfect for kids lunch box.
Paneer Tortilla Wrap | Veg Paneer Roll
These veggie paneer wraps are easy to make and the filling can be made ahead of time. They are perfect for kids lunch box.
Pear muffins
These pear muffins are light, moist and delicious. With wholemeal flour and not to much sugar they are a healthyish treat the whole family will love.
Banana pikelets
These healthy banana pikelets are super easy to make with just four ingredients. They freeze well and make excellent kid friendly lunches or snacks.
Chicken Caesar Wrap Recipe
This Chicken Caesar Wrap is made juicy flavorful and tender chicken, crisp lettuce, garlicky croutons, juicy cherry tomatoes, and creamy homemade Caesar dressing. The perfect quick lunch or dinner that you can serve to your family in just 15 minutes!
Vegan Eggplant Sandwich
This vegan eggplant sandwich is so delicious that you’ll keep making it over and over again. Layers of smoky eggplant and fresh vegetables are packed in panini bread, then toasted till perfection! Ideal for lunchboxes, picnics, and lunches on the go!
Meatball Pita Pockets
These 5 ingredient Meatballs Pita Pockets, made with pantry staples, are the perfect easy back to school eat, family dinner, appetizer, or snack.
Pineapple Muffins
Pineapple muffins are an easy, tropical treat made in one bowl with simple pantry ingredients. Families love these for breakfasts and lunchboxes.
Ranch Cream Cheese Ham Roll Ups
Ham Roll Ups will be your favorite back to school lunch solution! Super quick and easy to make, these tasty ranch ham and cream cheese roll ups are totally kid-approved.
Orange Strawberry Muffins
Juicy sweet strawberries, orange zest and fragrant vanilla sugar combine into these awesome Orange Strawberry Muffins.
Quick vegetarian sausage rolls - perfect lunchbox recipe for kids
This quick vegetarian sausage roll recipe for kids uses ready roll pastry so it's simple and easy to make.
Tuna pinwheels
These veg-packed tuna pinwheels, perfect for school lunchboxes! They're made with canned tuna, canned chickpeas, cucumber, peppers, tomatoes and cream cheese, all rolled up in a tasty tortilla wrap and cut into bite size slices.
Cauliflower Cheese Scones
This easy savoury scone recipe with cooked cauliflower and cheese is a tasty way of getting kids to eat cauliflower - and they can help make them too!
Easy Low Carb Mini Pizza Muffins Recipe with Zucchini
This low carb pizza muffins recipe with zucchini is so easy to make. They make perfectly portable zucchini pizza bites for healthy snacks, appetizers, even breakfast or lunch.
Keto Cheese Wraps Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps
An easy, flavorful ranch chicken bacon wrap recipe! These keto cheese wraps need just 6 ingredients + 5 minutes prep. It's the BEST keto sandwich wrap recipe!
Easy Fruit Sparkler Recipe for Delicious Watermelon Treat
Fun way to encourage children eating more fruit. Use toothsticks and you have the perfect size for your lunchbox
Pack a Fun Lunch for Back-to-School
Try a fun waffle sandwich to switch things up!
Quick Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
This quick Italian pasta salad makes a great meal for a school lunch. You can make this pasta salad with ham ahead of time and keep it refrigerated for 3 days.
Lunch Time Twist: Peanut Butter and Jelly Roll-ups
This super easy recipe takes a classic kids food and turns it into something even more fun. It's perfect for lunch boxes!
Sweet Potato Fritters (Latkes) For Babies & Toddlers
These sweet potato fritters (people also call them latkes) are sweet and soft on the inside, and slightly crispy on the outside. Simple to make ahead, fried or baked – they make the perfect finger food for kids lunch boxes.
Soft Beef Meatballs For Baby (BLW) Toddler, No Egg
These kid friendly beef meatballs with extra vegetables will boost the flavor, softness and juiciness. Make this baby meatball recipe without breadcrumbs or egg free, serve them with some pasta or simmer in a sauce to make the meatballs softer. Great for kid’s school lunch box too.
Pantry Baking: Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins
These delicious Apple Cinnamon Muffins use gluten free pancake mix and are so easy to make. They are perfect for a lunchtime treat.
Vegan Pizza Rolls (Whole Wheat & Veggie-Packed)
The only thing that’s better than pizza are pizza rolls. Fun, tasty and easy to make, they are great for lunchboxes and picky eaters.
Vegan Potato & Vegetable Croquettes
These crispy potato and vegetable croquettes are the perfect finger food for the whole family! Easy to make and very versatile, they are a crowd-pleasing side or lunchbox addition.