Back-to-school season is both a blessing and a curse for parents. Getting a break from the 24/7 focus children requires is nice. But preparing everything for a new school year is a lot of work. To help ease the burden, here are 5 school lunch ideas kids will love!
It’s not a secret that many kids are picky eaters. The options offered by the school cafeteria are not always to their liking. While it’s easy to say they will have to eat what’s in front of them, most parents don’t want their kids going hungry during the day, as this can affect their grades.
PB&J – The Most Iconic Of School Lunch Ideas
Peanut butter and jelly is probably the most iconic school lunch idea, so it had to make the list. If your child isn’t a fan of sandwiches, there are a lot of varieties to choose from to find something they like.
To make this option healthier, simply change out some of the components. You can go with whole wheat bread, natural peanut butter without a ton of added sugar, and a natural or homemade fruit spread. Whole Foods has a no-sugar-added peanut butter you can get on Amazon.
These PB&J dipping sticks from Trader Joe’s are a fun alternative for kids that don’t like sandwiches. For healthier versions, check your local grocery store for dipping packs that include peanut butter and apples. You could also go with peanut butter crackers.
There are also alternatives out there for kids who are allergic to peanut butter. If you can’t find any at your local grocery store, Amazon has numerous options, such as these peanut-free spreads from WowButter.
Lunchables
Lunchables are not the healthiest option, but kids love them and they are easy to prepare. They now offer several options aside from just pizza, such as chicken nuggets. This is probably one of the easiest school lunch ideas on the list.
For a healthier alternative, you can make your own! You can toss in some whole wheat or Italian seasoned crackers. For the sauce, you can go with a high-quality store-bought sauce or homemade. Add in some mozzarella cheese and your child’s choice of toppings and you have a fantastic lunch.
Chicken Salad
I love this option for school lunch ideas because it can be made ahead of time. It can also be served in a variety of ways. If your child likes chicken salad, this is a great school lunch idea.
The simplest way to serve chicken salad for lunch is on a sandwich. Just slap it on your child’s favorite type of bread and it will be a hit. If you want to go healthy, mix in some whole grain bread from time to time.
For those that don’t like sandwiches, chicken salad also goes great with crackers. A container of chicken salad with a pack of crackers is one of my daughter’s favorite lunches.
Looking for a good recipe to try this idea out? Check out my simple chicken salad recipe!
Meat And Cheese Sandwich
Lunch meat sandwiches are another classic that kids have been eating for decades. There are a ton of great options out there for both the bread and the meat that most kids will find appealing.
Ham and cheese is an easy go-to lunch. Ham is cheap and can be found pretty much anywhere. For a healthy version, ditch the traditional white bread and go with whole grain. Check your deli for a low-sodium ham.
Ham isn’t for everybody. Turkey is a good alternative that is a bit healthier. You can find a multitude of different flavors, such as mesquite or apple wood.
You can also ditch the bread for both options and go with meat and cheese roll-ups. If you want to be the fanciest parent in school you can make your child a mini charcuterie with an assortment of lunch meats and cheeses!
Fruit Feast – The Healthiest Of School Lunch Ideas
For a meat-free lunch option, pack in the fruits! It’s best to go with what’s in season, but there is usually a bounty of options. Try to mix it up with contrasting flavors to make a satisfying lunch.
Strawberries are usually a popular choice, as are grapes. You can’t go wrong with a variety of melons, from cantaloupes and honeydews to watermelons.
Avocados are a great option to throw in thanks to their abundance of healthy fats. Nuts are a good alternative if your child doesn’t like avocados. Yogurt, oatmeal, and popcorn are other ways you can add protein to a fruit-heavy lunch.
