10 Creative School Lunch Ideas for Picky Eaters
Our Opinion
Are you tired of the same boring school lunches day in and day out? Do you cringe at the thought of another PB&J sandwich or pre-packaged lunchables? We feel your pain, which is why the staff of The Parent Game has come up with some genius lunch ideas to help make your child’s midday meal more exciting and nutritious.
First up, let’s talk about the classic sandwich. Instead of the same old turkey and cheese, mix things up with a build-your-own sandwich bar. Let your child choose their bread, protein, cheese, veggies, and condiments to create a customized masterpiece. Not only does this give them some control over what they’re eating, but it also encourages them to try new foods.
If sandwiches aren’t your child’s thing, consider packing them a bento box filled with a variety of small snacks. Think cheese cubes, crackers, fresh fruit, and veggies with dip. This way, they can graze throughout the day and still get a balanced meal.
Another fun idea is to pack a themed lunch, like a taco Tuesday or pizza party. Use small containers to pack all the toppings for tacos or individual pizza ingredients, so your child can assemble their own meal. This not only makes lunchtime more entertaining but also encourages them to get involved in the cooking process.
And let’s not forget about the power of leftovers. Instead of tossing out last night’s dinner, repurpose it into a delicious lunch. Think pasta salads, stir-fried noodles, or even a cold pizza slice. Leftovers are not only a time-saver but also a great way to reduce food waste.
So there you have it, some fresh and fun school lunch ideas to spice up your child’s daily routine. With a little creativity and planning, you can turn a mundane meal into a culinary adventure. Happy lunch packing!
Subscribe to this video creator we featured on Youtube
Products We Currently Love on Amazon
1
101 Tear-Off Lunchbox Notes, Inspirational Quotes and Encouragement for Kids, Space to Write Personal Message
- Inspirational Quotes: Includes space-themed quotes to inspire kids.
- Encouragement for School: Perfect for encouraging kids at school.
- Tear-Off Lunchbox Notes: Fun tear-off notes to write personal messages.
2
101 Tear-Off Lunch Box Notes for Kids - Facts & Funnies Vol 2, Inspirational, Motivational, Thinking of You, lunch notes for boys and girls, Back to School Essentials, Ages 8+
- FUN AND EDUCATIONAL – Equip your child with these colorful lunch notes, which blend education with entertainment. Each note features a fun riddle and a funny joke, enhancing both learning and laughter. These notes are ideal as funny lunch notes for kids and encourage lively school lunch ideas.
- THOUGHTFUL DAILY REMINDERS – Brighten your child’s school day with a personal touch. Each note serves as a mini encouragement note, letting them know you're thinking about them. Ideal for inclusion in lunch boxes or backpacks, these notes combine the warmth of encouraging card notes for kids with the fun of lunch box jokes.
- NEXPENSIVE PARENTING TOOL – They’re a great way to connect with your kid. These lunchbox notes for kids are an inexpensive way to add joy to every day. They are ideal for busy parents looking to send a daily smile with their child, packed as funny card notes or cute notes for kids' lunches, fostering positive interactions.
3
101 Tear-Off Lunchbox Notes with Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids, Funny Inspirational Encouragement for Kids, Space to Write Personal Message
- Rob Teigen (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 101 Pages - 08/09/2019 (Publication Date) - Christian Art Gifts (Publisher)
4
Kraft Original Mac & Cheese, 8 ct Box, 2.05 oz Cups
- One 8 ct box of Kraft Easy Mac Original Flavor Mac & Cheese Cups
- Kraft Easy Mac Original Flavor Mac & Cheese Cups contains no artificial flavors, preservatives or dyes
- Each macaroni and cheese cup includes macaroni pasta and original flavor cheese sauce mix
5
AQSXO 5 Pcs Bento Snack Food Containers, Divided Food Storage with Lids for Travel, Reusable Meal Prep Lunch Containers.
- The external size of this bento box is 6.6 x 6 x 2.4 inches, five colors blue, green, yellow, pink and purple.
- This package includes 5 Pcs Lunch Containers with Compartments. Each bento has four compartments, which can hold a variety of foods to prevent the taste of different foods from mixing.
- 4 Compartments containers: each small divided container is designed with 4 compartments, allowing you to store different foods, and you can store salads and fruits at the same time without worrying about they will affect each other's flavors.
6
The Lunchbox Mama: Level Up Your Lunchbox (School Lunch Ideas, Yummy Lunchbox Cookbook for Kids and Parents, Affordable Lunch Recommendations)
- Hardcover Book
- Sterling, Rachel (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
7
Dole Fruit Bowls Mandarin Oranges in 100% Juice Snacks, 4oz 12 Total Cups, Gluten & Dairy Free, Bulk Lunch Snacks for Kids & Adults
- GET FRUIT DAILY: Our delicious Mandarin Oranges in 100% Juice are perfectly portioned refreshing fruit and are an excellent source of Vitamin C; Made with all-natural fruit and no added sugar
- CONVENIENT AND EASY PREP: Save time on food prep with our delicious pre-cut Dole Fruit Bowls Snacks; No peeling needed to enjoy succulent mandarin oranges
- READY FOR ANYTHING: Stock up on these pantry-friendly fruit bowls for a convenient snack option wherever your day takes you - at home, school, or work
Sale8
Little Bento: 32 Irresistible Bento Box Lunches for Kids
- Olivier, Michele (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 178 Pages - 08/09/2016 (Publication Date) - Callisto (Publisher)
9
MadeGood Soft Baked Chocolate Chip Mini Cookies, Gluten Free & Safe For School Snacks, 30 Count
- Made Good Soft Baked Chocolate Chip Mini Cookies are perfect on-the-go, bite sized snacks
- Made with allergy conscious individuals in mind, Made Good cookies are convenient, simple and safe
- Dark chocolate chips containing cocoa flavanols lower blood pressure and the risk of diabetes
Sale10
Lunchbox: So Easy, So Delicious, So Much Fun to Eat
- Hanel, Marnie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 224 Pages - 07/19/2022 (Publication Date) - Artisan (Publisher)
Sale11
The Little Lunchbox Cookbook: 60 Easy Real-Food Bento Lunches for Kids on the Go
- Kohley, Renee (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 176 Pages - 08/04/2020 (Publication Date) - Page Street Publishing (Publisher)
12
156PCS Animal Food Picks for Kids Bento Box Accessories, FATLODA Fun Kids Food Picks, Cute Fruit Toothpicks for Kids Lunch Accessories, Reusable Lunchbox Picks for Kids Toddler
- EASY & FUN LUNCH - Turn your picky eaters into health food lovers! FATLODA lunch picks are an easy way to make lunch or snacks fun for your kids. Fun and cute food picks encourage your little one to eat different foods, especially vegetables and fruits.
- HEALTHY & SAFE MATERIAL - FATLODA kids food picks are made of food-grade material, BPA free, non-toxic. The upgraded material is safer for your children or toddler. And they’re easy to clean and reuse.
- CUTE & VARIOUS DESIGN - Comes in a variety of colors and shapes - giraffe, elephant, dog, bear, cat, lion, monkey, rabbit, panda, frog, pig, cartoon eyes. Add variety to your child's meal. Great for school lunch bento box, party food, buffets or children's birthday parties.
Sale13
Ziploc Paper Sandwich and Snack Bags, Recyclable & Sealable with Fun Designs, 50 Bags Total
- SANDWICH BAGS: 50 paper bags that are perfect for storing and securing sandwiches and small snacks
- RECYCLABLE: Food-safe, non-wax paper makes these Ziploc sandwich bags great for different types of food
- EARTH-INSPIRED: Imagery on each brown sandwich bag so you can show you care about the planet
14
THERMOS FUNTAINER 10 Ounce Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Kids Food Jar with Spoon, Teal
- Stays hot or cold: THERMOS vacuum insulation technology keeps contents hot up to 5 hours and cold up to 7 hours. Our insulated lunch containers are perfect to toss into your kids’ lunch box to send them with their favorite soup or cold snack.
- Kid-friendly design: These reusable lunch containers are lightweight and compact with a push button lid so they’re easy to carry and open. The integrated foldable spoon in the food jar lid ensures they always have a utensil handy.
- Daily durability: Perfect kids Thermos food container for school and daily use. Made with high-quality 18/8 stainless steel to handle drops, dings and provide everyday durability and reliability. Comes in a variety of fun colors and patterns.
Sale15
Best Homemade Kids' Lunches on the Plane: Make Lunches Your Kids Will Love with More Than 200 Deliciously Nutritious Meal Ideas (Best on the Planet)
- Fuentes, Laura (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 240 Pages - 07/15/2014 (Publication Date) - Fair Winds (Publisher)
16
LOVINA Bento Boxes for Adults - 1100 ML Bento Lunch Box For Kids Childrens With Spoon & Fork - Durable Perfect Size for On-the-Go Meal, BPA-Free and Food-Safe Materials(Green)
- ♥PERFECT BENTO LUNCH BOXES FOR YOUR HEALTHY MEALS: Our reusable bento boxes for adults and kids are easy to use, wash, and store. With our bento lunch box , you can watch what you eat when you're not at home while keeping an eye on your wallet. With 3 different compartments, you can take a complete meal just in one container. The lunch containers with portion control help you keep your diet plan and lose weight.
- ♥PREMIUM QUALITY! Made from premium food grade materials, this is the best adults bento boxes container for packing healthy food to go. The adult lunch containers can be easily opened using the convenient flaps of the lids.Note also that thanks to their compartments, space-saving design, these bento lunch boxes fit into one another for easy and convenient storage!
- ♥MICROWAVE, FREEZER, DISHWASHER SAFE: Microwave Safe(without lids, 2-4 mins under 248℉); Freezer Safe(≧-4℉); Dishwasher Safe(top rack only, hand washing is recommended for the lid to avoid any deformation caused by high temperature and pressure washing).
17
Fruit by the Foot Fruit Flavored Snacks, Starburst, Variety Pack, 12 ct
- FRUIT FLAVORED SNACKS: Fruit by the Foot Starburst Variety Pack featuring Cherry, Strawberry, Orange, and Lemon flavors; With wild flavors and colors, the possibilities for fun are endless
- FUN KIDS SNACK: These packaged snack bags are the perfect treat to include in a packed school lunch box
- GLUTEN FREE: Tasty treats made without gluten for snacks you can feel great about
Sale18
Best Lunch Box Ever: Ideas and Recipes for School Lunches Kids Will Love
- Hardcover Book
- Morford, Katie Sullivan (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
19
MaMix Bento Box Adult Lunch Box, 5 Compartment Snack Box for Adults 4 Pack, Reusable Stackable Snack Containers for Kids Adults with Utensils, for School, Work, and Travel (Wheat)
- 【4 Pack Snack Box Containers】- the perfect solution for keeping your snacks organized and conveniently stored. Whether you're packing lunches for your kids or preparing meals for yourself, these snack pack containers for adults and kids are a must-have addition to your kitchen.
- 【Divided into 5 compartments】- From fruit and veggies to crackers and yogurt, these snack boxes for adults compartments provide the perfect space to keep your snacks separate and deliciously accessible. And don't worry, the size of each compartment is conveniently listed on the outside of the box, so you can easily determine portion sizes.
- 【Stackable & Lightweight】- Their compact size makes them ideal for fitting into bento snack boxes for adults without taking up too much space. In fact, they are designed to be lightweight and easily stackable, allowing them to be stored in refrigerators and cabinets with ease. With their nesting feature, these snack containers for adults take up almost no space, making them perfect for small cupboards or limited kitchen storage.
20
zheyistep 160 Motivational Lunch Notes for Kids, Cute Inspirational Cards Lunch Box Notes for Boys Girls Teens from Mum Funny Pun Cards with 80 Reward Stickers School Gifts
- Value Pack: 160 PCS original design adorable lunch box notes with cute funny illustrations and uplifting messages as perfect motivtional cards for kids. No duplicates, as well as random sticker gifts are attached
- High Qualiy: Our sturdy lunch box notes is made of heavy cardstock and printed in bright color. Non-toxic, tasteless and waterproof, parents please rest assured
- Engaging and Inspirational: These funny lunch box notes are sure to be a hit with kids for its vibrant colors and heartwarming messages. Not only capture attention but also inspire positivity and confidence in young minds
