5 Great Lunchbox Ideas for the Kids

When it comes to lunchbox ideas for the kids, you need to get creative. Not only do you have to choose dishes they actually want to eat, you also want to ensure they’re getting enough of the right fuel to help their young bodies and minds grow.

It doesn’t need to be hard—even if you’ve got a picky eater—as there are some clever ways to keep things both nutritious and delicious. Here’s how to make lunch time both fun and healthy for the whole family.

Protein power punch

Upping the protein content of your child’s lunch will help them feel full and packed with energy throughout the day. Because of this, it’s important to have plenty of tricks up your sleeve to ensure that they’re getting enough.

The good news is there are plenty of tasty ways to up the protein content of their lunchbox. Mini chicken skewers and bean salads add fun and goodness to their lunchtime, while cheese cubes and boiled eggs are portable protein packed snacks. If your school permits nuts, pretty much any kind of nut butter sandwich will also deliver a protein hit, while edamame and chickpeas are great meat alternatives. 

Top Tip: Take the nutritional content of your kids’ lunches to the next level by adding a smoothie full of protein powerhouses—nuts and seeds can easily be included, while yoghurt will make their smoothie extra creamy. Pop it in a colorful reusable bottle with insulation and they’ll have a fun drink that stays cool ready for break time. 

Colorful veggie parade

We’ve all heard about how eating the rainbow is great for our health, but have you considered creating an actual rainbow of vegetables for the kids? A rainbow veggie platter is a great way to make their lunchbox both visually appealing and nutritious. Use bento boxes to make it even more fun, arranging veggie pieces and sticks in colorful patterns in different layers.

Design your creations directly in stainless steel bowls to keep them fresh and crispy, and pair them with a sauce on the side so your kids can have fun dipping. We love homemade ranch and yoghurt-based dressings for this, but you can also add hummus or Greek yoghurt depending on the types of flavors that your little ones enjoy.

If your children love guacamole, you can easily make your own with Greek yoghurt, a squeeze of lemon, garlic (optional), salt and pepper. Simply smash up your avocado, mix in Greek yoghurt so it’s nice and smooth, and add your seasoning and lemon juice to help keep the mix fresh for longer. 

Fun with fruit

Fruit is nature’s candy, and is a great way to add a naturally sweet treat to little ones’ lunch boxes. Fostering a love of fruit at a young age sets your children up for healthy eating habits later in life, and if you choose seasonal fruits (a great idea for freshness and variety) you’ll save money and keep things interesting for your kids.

Try cutting fruit into fun shapes for a little extra magic, or crafting fruit kebabs to make eating easier and more enjoyable. If you’re worried about your children’s’ fruit not staying fresh, adding a squeeze of lemon is a great hack for preventing browning and can balance the sweetest of the fruit and enhance its flavor.

Bake it up

We all know that most children will probably want a baked sweet treat in their lunch box. Instead of trying to avoid these types of food, consider making them yourselves at home instead. Not only is this a great way to bond with your kids (and teach them an important life skill) but it also allows you to control the nutrition in their lunchbox.

So, if your children love brownies, consider making them with dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate and adding some hazelnuts or almonds to the mix. You can even substitute butter with applesauce, Greek yoghurt, or avocado for extra nutrition. Muffins are also great for this, as you can add fruits and seeds to ensure that your little ones are still getting nutrients from their sweets.

Snackable sides

Healthy snacking is an essential part of keeping the kids focused at school. When packing their lunch, include a mix of nutritious snacks like whole grain crackers, popcorn, trail mix, or rice cakes. Pair these with yummy dips like hummus, guacamole, or tzatziki to give their snacks more flavor and added variety. By offering a range of delicious snackable treats, you’ll keep lunchtime exciting.

Making healthy school lunches can be fun for you and your kids. With a good drink bottle, a collection of fresh ingredients, and some quality reusable containers, you can dish up a range of meals and snacks that will keep your little ones happy and healthy so they can learn, grow, and have fun.