I was actually starting on a totally different post, but when I started including a couple of kids lunch ideas, I realized I had a ton of early morning snapshots from the past year (with poor lighting since I wasn’t anticipating on publishing) that I thought, “well, why not?” After your reception on my easy, snack-ish lunch ideas for me (in my weight loss post), I thought as we start back to school, seeing what I pack for Eliza may be helpful to some of you, also. You know — if you just need to shake things up, need a visual to prompt some brainstorming… As a caveat, these unplanned-to-be-shared lunches are just what I’ve actually made and you won’t find any fancy sushi rolls or adorable, aspirational food designs. These are varietal school lunches that I try to keep simple, balanced, and budget and kid friendly. Literally “snack around the plate” in a kids bento box lunch 😉
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Favorite kids lunch accessories
- Bentgo lunch box — We have a bunch, but only one or two is needed. These are so durable, wash easily, and each compartment is sealed with the silicone on the lid. So well insulated and easy to open, too. This one specifically is made for younger kids, but if you do lunches like we do, you can actually fit a ton in there. You can find the older kids version HERE (comes with new freezable tray) and the adult version that Dave and I have HERE.
- Kids Thermos Funtainer — This small thermos is fabulous and Eliza can unscrew it easily. Comes with a folded spoon in the thermos lid. I heat the food up first and then run hot water in the thermos to heat that, also, before putting the food (spaghetti, cut up pizza, etc.) inside.
- Folding flatware (fits Thermos) — comes with both extra spoons and forks and made specifically for the Funtainer Thermos!
- Dip containers w/ Silicone Lids — Small and don’t leak, dishwasher-safe, and the silicone lids are easy enough for little hands to remove! These ramekins are a must, even if you don’t use a formal lunch box. You can also use them for small treats and candies, nuts, etc. Plus, they fit perfectly in the Bentgo lunch box!
- Silicone cupcake liners — I love these for separating snacks and dips within compartments and they totally morph to the shape you need.
- Crinkle cutter knife — I love using this for veggies, cheese, etc. — just to give a little extra texture and shape to what could otherwise become borning.
- Mini shape cutters — I use these in different ways, from cheese to fruit to sandwiches. The cost on this set is incredible.
- Sandwich cutter & sealer — Fortunately, Eliza doesn’t shy away from bread crusts, but even so, I still use this system on occasion. I still love this tool, just make sure your bread is large enough for it!
- Slim ice pack — I specifically love these in that I can place one slim ice pack underneath the Bentgo box, inside Eliza’s lunch box.
- Freezable snack pouch — I store this in the freezer and it fits everything I want to keep chilled for Eliza’s snacks! She can take apple sauce, fruit, cheese, etc. for snacks without worrying about them going bad. This thing has been incredible.
- Heart shaped sticky notes — I leave a note for Eliza in her lunch each day with one of these. Even before she could read anything, I would just draw little pictures!
- Bentgo snack box — I love this for a bento-style snack!
- Bentgo snack cup — this is especially great if you have an accompaniment to another snack (apples and peanut butter, veggies & dip, hummus, etc.). I actually made Eliza a yogurt parfait with THIS yogurt (this flavor is INCREDIBLE!), THIS granola (also INCREDIBLE!), and blueberries and this cup would be perfect for taking as a snack on the go!
Bentgo Divided Snack Cup | Bentgo Snack Container
Bentgo Salad Container | Bentgo Modern Lunch Box
Kids bento box lunch ideas
These are not necessarily the pinnacle of health and there’s plenty of processed food in these, but this is pretty typical for us, along with leftovers from time to time. To save on funds and to minimize waste, I typically decide at the beginning of the week what the “mains” will be (turkey, ham, sandwiches, etc.) so I can prep for a primary — I don’t purchase multiple meats in one week. Also, I only purchase a few fruit varieties each week so I can make sure they don’t go bad, and then we switch it up for diversity and based on what’s in season. Eliza isn’t afraid to eat sandwich crusts, a whole apple, and likes peeling her own orange but if your little lunch eaters require/prefer more prep, that, of course, is at your own discretion.
In general, I try to keep everything somewhat balanced with a protein, vegetable, fruit, salty, and treat. Sometimes I’ll give her a juice box, but she typically prefers her water bottle.
TIP: I’ve shared this before on Instagram stories, but one of my favorite hacks is to buy a big Taylor Farms veggie tray at Costco that we’ll pull from for the week (for snacks, dinners, lunches, etc.). It comes with a ranch dip, too, and is an easy and affordable way to make sure you always have access to fresh veggies.
Another benefit to using bento boxes (like Eliza’s Bentgo brand bento box) is accountability; the compartments force me to think of balance and diversity. If I get lazy and start tossing pre-packaged items into her lunch box, it’s way easier to skip the produce.
- Siete tortilla chips
- Cheese sauce dip
- Blueberries
- Celery & snap peas; ranch
- Beef stick
- Honey roasted almonds
- White chocolate crispy marshmallow M&Ms
- Self-assembled cracker sandwiches w/ strawberry cream cheese
- Celery; ranch dip
- Orange
- Babybel cheese
- Goldfish
- Pickles
- Jellybeans
- Popcorn
- Cheese stick
- Cucumbers
- Trail mix
- Self-assembled peanut butter cracker sandwiches
- Turkey meat stick
- Apple sauce
- Swedish Fish
- Peanut butter & jelly sandwich
- Cheese puffs
- Babybel cheese
- Blueberries
- Almonds
- Fruit snacks
- Cookies
- Crescent rolls
- Cheese
- Grapes
- Cucumber; ranch
- Pretzels
- Jelly beans
- Ham rolls
- Pickles
- Cheese
- Raspberries
- Celery; ranch
- Cheetos
- Cookie
- Ham rolls
- Cheese
- Cucumber; ranch
- Raspberries
- Goldfish
- Cinnamon raisin bagel chips w/ strawberry cream cheese
- Oreos
- Ham rolls
- Celery & broccoli; ranch
- Banana; peanut butter
- Babybel cheese
- Fruit snacks
- Cheetos
- Ham
- Broccoli; ranch
- Pirate’s booty
- Babybel cheese
- Orange
- Apple sauce
- Rice cakes
- Pepperoni
- Cheese
- Crackers
- Apple sauce
- Broccoli, snap peas, & bell pepper; ranch
- Pickles
- Grapes
- Pepperoni
- Babybel cheese
- Grapes
- Popcorn
- Broccoli & celery; ranch
- Yogurt tube
- Banana bread
- Apple; caramel
- Pretzels
- Ham
- Babybel cheese
- Broccoli; ranch
- Pepperoni
- Cheese stick
- Dehydrated fruit stick
- Pistachios
- Cheese puffs
- Celery & carrots; ranch
- Sour patch kids
- Peanut butter & jelly sandwich
- Blueberries
- Cheese puffs
- Broccoli, carrots, celery, & snap peas; ranch
- Brownie
- Turkey
- Cheese stick
- Crackers
- Pineapple
- Pretzels
- Broccoli & celery; ranch
- Sour punch straw minis
- Peanut butter & nutella sandwich
- Cherry plums
- Babybel cheese
- Goldfish
- Fruit snacks
- Cucumber
- Cookies
As an exception, I did plan this one to be extra festive for Halloween 😉 I’ve shared this one before. You can find this PB Kids Glitter Bento Box HERE.
- Tortilla chips; guacamole
- Pigs in a blanket
- Grapes
- Oranges
- Sour worms
- Pumpkin mini cake treats
I’m also known to use seasonal cookie cutters for sandwiches, too.
- Rice cake chips
- Almonds
- Nutella dipping sticks
- Grapes
- Pickles
- Celery & snap peas; ranch
- Peanut butter & jelly sandwich
- Fruit snacks
- Rice cakes
- Babybel cheese
- Grapes
- Chocolate covered raisins
- Peanut butter & jelly sandwich
- Popcorn
- Cucumber; ranch
- Cheese
- Raisins
- Cookies
- Chips & salsa
- Nutella dip sticks
- Cheese
- Cucumber & bell pepper; ranch
- Pickle
- Pimento cheese
- Pretzel crisps
- Grapes
- Broccoli, carrots, broccoli, and snap peas; ranch
- Pirate’s booty
- Yogurt
- Granola minis
- Nutella dip sticks
- String cheese (cut)
- Pepperoni
- Crackers
- Grapes
- Cucumber, bell pepper, & carrots; ranch
- Uncrustable
- Pirate’s booty
- String cheese
- Grapes
- Broccoli; ranch
- Halloween sour gummies
- Peanut butter & jelly sandwich
- Pineapple
- Pirate’s booty
- Pocky sticks
- Celery & carrots; ranch
- Cheese
More kids Bento box lunch ideas
- As I mentioned, we also do leftovers in THIS thermos.
- Naan dippers with hummus, spinach dip, peanut butter, cream cheese, marinara sauce, etc. Use these with any dip or spread!
- Wrap, pinwheels, or roll-ups (chicken, deli meat and cheese, banana w/ peanut butter & nutella, etc.)
- Salad (if your kids enjoy salads, that is)
- Chilled sliced grilled chicken/grilled chicken tenders
- Pasta salad
- Boiled egg/deviled egg
If you have any regular go-tos for kids lunches, share them in the comment section!
