It takes a lot of brain power for us parents to come up with school lunch ideas for picky eaters!
I had forgotten the pain involved in the lunch packing undertaking until I started looking for kindergarten lunch ideas for picky eaters. Heading into kindergarten our Eleanor likes pb&j, but only if it's cut into the "right" shape.
One day it's supposed to be a circle and the next, four triangles, so you never know what the "right" shape is...
It's like sandwich making roulette!!
So you better believe I've used a lot of patience and creativity the past several months! Today I'm sharing kid friendly lunch ideas for school.
School Lunch Ideas for Picky Eaters
DIY For School Lunches
Pack your own pretzels, Chips, Goldfish in individual bags. You’ll save money on the prepackaged items, and you’ll only make the effort 2-3 times per month instead of 20. It’s a no brainer!
If saving time and money is important to you, try to pre-make sandwiches and freeze them. You can make your own nut butter and jam “Uncrustables” like in my video here, or you can make good old fashioned cold meat sandwiches and freeze them.
Just pull them out in the morning to thaw. Major timesaver!
Add cute lunchbox notes cards or print these for your little ones lunch boxes. It'll give them (and you) a pick me up on gray days!
Roll It Up - Instead of a traditional sandwich, make a roll-up out of Flat Outs or tortillas.
Packed Lunch in a Thermos
Use your creativity! We’ve love a small insulated thermos to keep things warm on those days when “cold lunch” just won’t do.
Then, your child can take alternative lunch dishes like...
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Tortilla Soup
- Leftover Chili
- Tomato Soup
- Hot Dogs
- Mac & Cheese
- Mac & Cheese Bites
- Meatballs
- Chicken Nuggets
- Oatmeal
- Broccoli Cheese Bites
- Corn Dogs
Want To Save This Recipe For Later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later!
Try Bento Box Lunchkits
Use a “bento-box” or compartmentalized box in their lunchbox. I've had good luck with this type for our kids. Use them to make their own lunchables!
Get Creative
- Pig in a Blanket
- Roll Ups
- Pizza
- Pasta Salad with Salami and Cheese
- Fresh Fruit with Greek Yogurt Fruit Dip
- Mini Bagel Sandwiches (Ham and Cheese, Cream Cheese & Jam, anyone?)
- Muffins of any kind, like my banana muffins. Make them ahead and freeze them - let’s be honest the cheap ones in the grocery store taste gross.
- Mini Corn Dog Nuggets
- Leftovers from dinner - hey, it’s worth a try!
More School Lunch Ideas for Picky Eaters
Breakfast for Lunch Boxes
If breakfast for dinner works, why not try breakfast for lunch?
- Waffle Sticks
- Blueberry Pancakes
- Breakfast Burritos
- Egg Omelet Muffins
- Oven Baked Eggs
- Protein Pancakes
- Pigs in a Blanket
Have your kiddo help create or come up with ideas for their own school lunch. Chances are, they’ll be more likely to eat it, too!
Other posts you may like:
- On the Go Lunch Ideas
- 23 Easy Dinner Recipes for Families
- The Secret to Making Homemade Uncrustables (VIDEO)
Know a friend in need of ideas?? Be sure to share this post!
Alyssa Salz says
I love sending all the fixings for a yogurt parfait, so easy and they love that they can make their own. Granola/dry cereal, dried fruit, chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips. Place all the add-in's in a bento box then add a cup of yogurt and BOOM...lunch is ready! 🙂
Deanne says
Sorry I'm so late in responding but can I just say this is genius!!!!!??!