13 Kids’ lunch ideas

As a parent, I know how easy it is to reach a point where inspiration for lunches runs out. It becomes challenging to find ideas for packed meals that are both simple, nutritious, and, let’s be honest, appealing to our children. That’s why in this article, I’d like to share some simple lunch ideas for kids, as well as a few tips for simplifying meal preparation.

Let’s not forget that as parents, we shouldn’t put too much pressure on ourselves for every meal to be perfect. What matters is nourishing our children in a balanced way while keeping the joy of cooking!

Cold Lunch Recipes for Kids

Before we begin, please note that all these ideas should be accompanied by additional foods to adhere to Canada’s Food Guide. For example, you can add cut-up fruits, vegetables with a homemade dip, protein-rich foods (if lacking) such as cheese cubes, or crackers to complement whole grain foods if needed.

Creative Sandwiches

The classic sandwich is always a reliable choice, but there are times when our children get tired of it. If your child is bored with the same recipes, like mine, here are some creative ideas to rekindle their interest and add a little variety to their lunches.

Sometimes, simply changing the bread is enough. Instead of using regular sliced bread, you could opt for a bagel, a submarine roll, or even mini-croissants.

• For the bagel, I suggest cream cheese with smoked salmon. If your child is older and not picky, you can add slices of tomatoes, red onions, and capers for a touch of luxury.

• For the submarine sandwich, let your child build their sandwich however they like (just like at Subway!). Allow them to choose the meats and vegetables they enjoy. Don’t forget to add cheese—provolone cheese is the most popular choice here!

• Mini-croissants can be filled with any topping. In our house, egg salad is a huge hit! The recipe is very simple: hard-boil some eggs, then mix them with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, onions, and spices of your choice!

Nutritious Salads

Meal salads are an excellent option for incorporating a wide variety of nutrients into a single dish and can be made in large quantities the night before. It’s important to include a source of grains, vegetables, and proteins.

• Pesto Pasta Salad: Enhance it with mini mozzarella balls and halved cherry tomatoes. You can also add pieces of chicken.

• Greek Salad: Always a favorite here! However, I recommend adding a chicken or tuna wrap to make the meal more complete.

• Tri-Color Tortellini Salad: A recipe that brings many colorful ingredients, making the salad more appealing.

Wraps and Pitas

Wraps

Wraps are a great alternative to traditional sandwiches in kids’ lunches. With so many ways to prepare them, it’s hard to fall into a routine, and everyone can find their favorite. Easy to prepare and eat, here are some interesting ingredient suggestions to include in your tortilla:

• Proteins: slices of grilled chicken or turkey, fondue meat, legumes, tuna, tofu, bacon, etc.
• Vegetables: spinach, cucumber slices, tomatoes, bell peppers, cabbage, avocado, etc.
• Sauces: mayonnaise, plain yogurt mixed with herbs, mustard, hummus, tzatziki, etc.

One of my favorite recipes when I was younger was the ham and cream cheese with chives wrap. It’s truly delicious and very quick to prepare! You can also cut the wrap into several pieces to make small bites.

Pitas

Do you have a pizza fan at home? Mini pizzas on pita bread are a fun option that will delight many! They are easy to customize based on everyone’s preferences and can be enjoyed cold without any problem:

• Base: whole wheat pita bread or mini naan bread.

• Sauces: tomato sauce, pesto, butternut squash sauce.

• Toppings: sliced vegetables (mushrooms, bell peppers, spinach) and proteins (slices of chicken, ham, shredded tofu, pepperoni).
• Cheese: shredded mozzarella cheese, bocconcini slices, goat cheese.

You can also bake the pitas to make them crispy and serve them in the lunchbox with hummus (a blend of chickpeas and tahini)

Bento Box Lunch

If you didn’t already know, a Bento is a compartmentalized lunch box inspired by Japanese tradition that allows for separating and organizing different foods. Practical and versatile, it is ideal for kids’ lunches, offering the perfect balance of variety, freshness, and appealing presentation.

With a Bento, it’s also easy to recreate homemade “luncheables”: for example, combine crackers, cheese, and cold cuts in separate compartments, all within the same container. This allows kids to have fun building their bites. It makes meals more playful and appetizing, which can encourage younger ones to eat everything!

Lunch Recipes for Thermoses

For fans of the classic thermos in lunchboxes, mac and cheese remains a timeless favorite for providing a comforting meal for kids. Personally, I like to add a nutritious twist: a hidden vegetable in the sauce! This can be cauliflower or butternut squash. The idea is simply to puree them and mix them into the creamy sauce so they go unnoticed (and the taste always stays great!). I recommend Ricardo’s recipe.

For another comforting idea, why not prepare homemade chili to slip into the thermos? Rich in flavor and protein, it is sure to please. To incorporate whole grains, serve it with pita pieces or mix it with pasta. A simple and nourishing option that will make everyone happy!

Healthy Snacks and Desserts

Why Have Snacks?

Snacks provide a boost of energy for your children between meals and help them arrive at the main meals less hungry. This encourages slower eating, which helps them better recognize when they have eaten enough.

Depending on their appetite, your child may consume one or several foods during snack time. For example, if they had a light breakfast, you might offer them two foods: one rich in carbohydrates and the other in protein.

• Carbohydrates provide energy more quickly and can be found in vegetables, fruits, and whole grain foods.
• Proteins help sustain energy levels for a longer time and are found in protein-rich foods like milk or cheese.

Ideas for Heartier Snacks

Here’s a list of easy-to-make or prepare hearty snack ideas. If your child doesn’t have a big appetite, choose just one food item.

• Bell peppers, cucumbers, and carrots with a yogurt dip.
• Fresh fruit, unsweetened applesauce, or canned fruit with milk or cheese cubes.
• Apple slices with soy butter.
• Banana bread and a glass of milk.
• Cherry tomatoes and cheese curds (or bocconcini cheese if they like that!).
• Homemade granola bar—always a hit!

Desserts for Kids’ Lunches

Dessert certainly has its place in lunchboxes! It simply requires choosing nutritious foods that complement the meal. For example, fresh fruits, a homemade cookie or muffin, rice pudding, yogurt, or fruit salads.

Preparation Tips

Plan the Lunch Box

The secret to quick and uncomplicated lunch preparation is planning! But where to start?

• Choose lunches and snacks with your children before grocery shopping. Personally, my kids love this activity! Plus, they’ll be more eager to eat a meal they’ve chosen (and you’ll avoid waste!).

• Ask your children to help prepare their lunch boxes. They will become more independent.

• Don’t forget the school guidelines about allergies.

• Offer your children a list of lunch ideas they can choose from. You could also create a list of their favorite lunches.

It’s recommended to follow Canada’s Food Guide for a balanced lunch. It’s not as complicated as one might think, I assure you! It suggests adhering to the following proportions on the plate:

• 1/2 fruits or vegetables
• 1/4 protein foods
• 1/4 whole grain foods

Time-Saving Tips

Here are some tricks for quicker lunch preparations:

• Plan lunches and dinners for the week at the same time. I don’t know about you, but here we often use leftovers from dinner for lunch the next day.
• Prepare everything you’ll need the night before so the morning setup for the lunch box is simpler.
• Consider buying different types of whole grain breads, such as sliced bread, sub rolls, or tortillas. By using various breads with the same filling, you’ll end up with completely different sandwiches!
• I also suggest purchasing fruits that travel well, like apples, bananas, or grapes.
• At the beginning of the week, I like to prepare items that can be used in multiple lunches in advance. For example, wash and cut up raw vegetables and divide them into reusable containers or bags. You could also pre-cut a block of cheese into small cubes. I also boil eggs on the weekend to include them as is in lunches or as a sandwich filling.
• If a recipe becomes popular with your children, double it and freeze the leftovers in individual portions. They can later be enjoyed in a thermos!

There are several steps your children can help with. For example, in my family, the kids have taken the habit of washing and cutting the vegetables. Simply choose tasks based on their abilities.

Conclusion

Remember, what matters most is nourishing our children with love and care, even if their lunches aren’t always perfectly balanced. The key is to offer them varied and tasty meals. Don’t be too hard on yourself!

And if you haven’t already, consider labeling snack containers and lunch boxes with personalized Colle à moi labels. It’s a small gesture that makes a big difference in ensuring everything comes back home. A well-labeled container is one less thing to replace!