37 Easy Kids' Lunch Ideas for School & Home in 2024
Whether they’re eating at home or at school, parents often have to get creative with kids' lunch ideas to get them excited for the meal. That’s often easier said than done. Kids can be picky, making kids’ lunch ideas for picky eaters difficult, especially when they like one food one day and hate it the next.
Parents also want to choose a food that will last until school lunchtime, which is why they’ll often choose a cold option. And, of course, you want the food to be healthy. “Regular, healthy meals” prevent students from feeling tired and help them be more attentive in class, according to the New York Times.
So, what to make for kids' lunch? There are plenty of options for a delicious and nutritious meal both parents and kids can be excited about. Looking for easy 30 ideas for school lunches? We’ve rounded up 37 kids' lunch ideas they’re sure to love!
Jump to Section
- Best Kids' Lunch Ideas for Picky Eaters
- Best Cold Lunch Ideas for Kids at School
- Healthy Lunch Ideas for Kids
- Join Your Kids in Cooking Classes
Best Kids' Lunch Ideas for Picky Eaters
1. Hidden Broccoli Mac and Cheese
What can you put in your kids' lunch besides a sandwich? They’ll be delighted to see mac and cheese. This is a beloved classic even for the pickiest eater.
And if you chop broccoli or cauliflower very finely and add it to the cheese sauce, they’ll get some hidden vegetables as well.
2. Simple Quesadillas
A simple quesadilla will go over well with the pickiest kids' lunch ideas. Using only two ingredients — cheese and a tortilla. There’s not much to dislike.
If they’re a little more adventurous, consider adding peppers, onions or chicken.
3. Meatball Bombs
If you’re looking for kids’ lunch ideas for picky eaters, consider meatball bombs. These are regular, home-style meatballs wrapped and baked in crescent dough. It’s an easy meal that has simple flavors kids will love.
4. Pepperoni Pizza Sliders
Most picky eaters still love pizza. For this kids' lunch idea, simply make pepperoni pizza in slider form by adding the sauce, cheese and pepperoni to a mini slider bun. Bake until the cheese is melted and serve to the kids.
5. Pigs in a Blanket
Pigs in a blanket are a classic kids' lunch idea at home and it’s also easy to make with simple ingredients. They’re bite-sized snacks but also filling, making them the perfect lunch option for kids.
6. Potato and Ham Soup
A kids' lunch idea for when they’re home is a simple, homemade potato and ham soup. The flavors of this soup are relatively mild and it uses ingredients that most kids already love. Plus, it’s creamy and warm, which can be great for at-home or sick days.
7. Build Your Own Tacos
Allow kids to be in charge of their own lunch. For this kids' lunch idea, allow them to build their own tacos. This puts them in control of the toppings, allowing them to create the exact meal they want to eat. Not only can this be used as an educational game to teach kids about healthy food, but being in charge of their meals also them feel grown up!
8. Ham and Cheese Hash Brown Waffles
If you’re looking for breakfast food ideas, ham and cheese hash brown waffles might be your new favorite option. This bakes other breakfast favorites right into the waffle. This is great for mornings on the go or for having something savory for breakfast or lunch.
9. Chicken Tenders
Many picky eater’s default meal is chicken tenders. So if you’re looking kids' lunch ideas they’ll definitely eat, this is it. You can bread boneless chicken tenders at home and bake them for a healthier option.
10. Lasagna Roll-Ups
Spaghetti and lasagna are another kid classic. This kids' lunch idea makes these meals a little more portable. Instead of layering the lasagna, you roll the ingredients up. This allows for a more compact lasagna to take for school lunches.
11. Homemade Pizza Bagels
Pizza is another dish that kids will usually always love. So, make homemade pizza bagels for a kids' lunch idea. Use mini or full-sized bagels, spread pizza sauce then add cheese and their favorite toppings. This is a great quick meal to make at home and to take to school.
12. Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese will always make a great lunch for kids. This simple classic is best served hot, so it’s ideal for when kids are at home. Similar to other recipes, you can sneak vegetables in by hiding them between the bread or use whole wheat slices for a healthier option.
13. Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Wraps make great kids' lunch ideas because they’re so customizable. You can use ham or turkey as the meat base and add in their favorite cheese. Wrapped in a tortilla, this makes a simple meal with straightforward flavors.
Best Cold Lunch Ideas for Kids at School
14. Turkey Wraps
Turkey wraps make the perfect cold lunch food. Use whole wheat or spinach wraps for healthy snacks for kids and add ingredients like cheese and vegetables to fill out the wrap. If you’re looking for picnic food ideas, turkey wraps will always be a pleasing option.
15. Peanut Butter Banana Toast
This lunch is easy to make, keeps well and is a healthy kids' lunch idea. Pack a toasted piece of bread with peanut butter and a knife to spread. Add sliced bananas, strawberries or apples they can add on top or eat with the peanut butter.
16. Classic Ham and Cheese Sandwich
You can’t go wrong with a ham and cheese sandwich when considering kids' lunch ideas. It’s a classic option that will always be a filling for a mid-day meal.
You can also get playful and start using different kinds of ham and cheese combinations, like smoked ham and gouda.
17. Antipasto Pasta Salad
Pasta salads are made to be cold, so they’re a great cold kids' lunch idea. This pasta salad uses some classic antipasto like salami, cheese and fresh vegetables mixed in with bowtie pasta.
18. Cream Cheese and Ham Stuffed Peppers
Give stuffed peppers a lunchtime twist. For this kids’ lunch idea for school, stuff bell peppers with a savory cream cheese and ham mixture. This lunch also doesn’t have to be cooked, which makes it easy to prepare and pack.
19. Thai Lettuce Wraps
Try fun new flavors with this kids' lunch idea. Make Thai lettuce wraps with your chicken and lots of veggies. A simple peanut or sesame sauce is the perfect flavor addition.
20. Chicken Salad Rolls
For this kids' lunch idea, make a classic chicken salad and spread it on a large tortilla. Roll it up in a spiral, then cut it into pieces. This allows for smaller portions that will be the perfect mid-day meal.
21. Avocado Toast
Avocado toast is another quick and easy lunch that’s best served cold. You can pack pieces of toasted bread with the avocado spread. Include toppings like other vegetables or seeds to add on top.
22. Lunch Meat Tacos
What's a good cold lunch for kids? Lunch meat tacos. They’ll get all the flavors of tacos without having to warm anything up. You can use deli chicken or ham flavored with taco seasoning. Pack all their favorite toppings so they can customize them before eating.
23. Cold Soba Noodle Salad
If you’re looking for kids’ lunch ideas for school that are different from the norm, consider a cold soba noodle salad. It has a sweet and savory taste and is filled with tons of vegetables, making it a healthy option as well.
24. Fruit Salad
Fruit salad is a kids' lunch idea you can pair with any other idea on the list. It’s simple and most kids have a few favorite fruits they’ll love for lunch. What better way for them to get some essential vitamins than with the side?
25. Hummus and Dippers
Hummus is a great cold lunch idea because it keeps so well. Add in pita, carrots and other dippers to enjoy the hummus. This makes a great side to a different lunch or even one of the easiest and most delicious lunch ideas for adults.
26. Salami and Proscuitto Sandwich
If they’re willing to try new meats, a salami and prosciutto sandwich is a great option. Add provolone or Gruyere cheese and a garlic aioli. This unique sandwich might be one of their new favorites. All these ingredients also make great charcuterie board ideas.
Healthy Lunch Ideas for Kids
27. Masala Macaroni
A classic macaroni with masala flavors, this unique Indian lunch idea for kids is filled with bell pepers and peas, making it a healthier option. This is a great meal to have for dinner and take the leftovers for lunch the next day.
28. Rainbow Sushi
This kids' lunch idea got its name from the rainbow of vegetables in it. With bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots and avocado wrapped in nori, this meal is packed with healthy and essential vitamins a growing kid needs.
29. Tomato Soup
Homemade tomato soup can be a healthier alternative to store-bought. Plus, you can add vegetables like spinach and broccoli for even more nutrients. Homemade soup makes the perfect kids' lunch idea when they’re home or sick.
30. Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Chicken Ceasar salad is a well-loved dish. Add these flavors to a pasta salad and you may like them even more. This makes for a great kids’ lunch idea at home, especially during the summer when you want light and refreshing food.
31. Hummus Avocado Wrap
A quick kids' lunch idea that’s packed with protein is a hummus and avocado wrap. Spread these out on a whole wheat or spinach wrap and add their favorite vegetables before rolling it up to enjoy.
32. Curry Noodles
Another Indian lunch idea for kids is curry noodles, which bring the vibrant flavors of curry to a more kid-friendly dish. It’s bursting with flavor thanks to the seasoning with stir-fried noodles and vegetables for vitamins and nutrients.
33. Vegetable Fried Rice
Wondering what are 10 good lunch foods for kids? Vegetable fried rice is one of them. This classic meal has tons of vegetables along with brown rice and light soy sauce. It will be a filling meal that’s filled with nutritious vegetables.
34. Asian Rice Salad
If you’re looking for lunch foods that give you energy, Asian rice salad will do the trick. It has brown rice with carrots, celery, snow peas and bell peppers. It has plenty of protein and fiber, making it a great option for kids’ game days.
35. Barbecue Chicken Salad
Toss grilled chicken in some low-sugar barbecue sauce and top a bed of lettuce. Add in peppers, onions and corn for vegetable options. This healthy kids' lunch idea will have so much flavor, they’ll forget they’re eating vegetables.
36. Caprese Salad
If you’re looking for fresh kids' lunch ideas, a Caprese salad is a good option. This salad has a mix of tomato, basil and fresh mozzarella cheese. It’s a refreshing meal that’s relatively easy to make.
37. Homemade Lunchable
Kids love Lunchables, but they’re not the healthiest option. Instead, you can give your kids a homemade lunchable that has healthier selections.
For kids' lunch ideas, you can pack crackers, cheese, and lunch meat for them to assemble into bite-sized sandwiches.
Join Your Kids in Cooking Classes
Kids will love learning how to cook their favorite foods with cooking classes in Atlanta, cooking classes in Los Angeles, cooking classes in Orlando and cooking classes near you.
Led by expert chefs, you’ll learn culinary skills and techniques that will help kids work in the kitchen. Plus, you can try new recipes for kids' lunch ideas, dinner, dessert and more.
Explore flavors from around the world with unique dishes from various cuisines. Cooking classes with your child is a fun activity to bond and try a new experience. You can even try online cooking classes and craft a delicious meal in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Make lunch an exciting part of the day with these kids' lunch ideas. Kids will certainly be looking forward to eating these easy 30 ideas for school lunches when you pack them.
Lunch for kids should be delicious and nutritious and these kids' lunch ideas hit the mark. From around-the-world flavors to traditional classics, a good lunch will always be in store at home and at school.
For even more fun food and cooking ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
