Packing lunch for your little ones doesn’t have to be a chore! As a fellow parent and craft enthusiast at Robert Kline Art, I understand the desire to make mealtimes both nutritious and engaging. Just like a well-crafted project, a balanced lunch box can spark joy and fuel creativity.
In this guide, we’ll explore a month’s worth of easy and healthy lunch box ideas for kids, complete with real-life photos for inspiration. Let’s turn lunchtime into a celebration of delicious and fun food art!
A Month of Packed Lunches: Real-Life Inspiration
Navigating the world of school lunches can be tricky. You want something nutritious, but also something your child will actually eat! To help you out, I’ve gathered photos of real-life lunch boxes packed for my own child’s first month of first grade.
Important Note: Always check your school’s allergy policies before packing lunches.
Week 1: Exploring New Flavors
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Day 1: A classic combination to start the week!
- Motts Applesauce
- Carrots
- Cheese stick
- Hard-boiled eggs (yolk removed – picky eater alert!)
- Pretzels
easy lunch box ideas for kids with photos
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Day 2: A simple and satisfying lunchbox with a focus on whole grains.
- Quaker Reduced Sugar Granola Bar
- Grapes
- Turkey & Cheese on Brownberry Sandwich Thin
- Ants on a log (celery sticks with peanut butter and raisins)
kids lunch box with applesauce, carrots, cheese stick, hard boiled egg and pretzels
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Day 3: A fun and customizable “lunchable” made with love.
- Wheat Thins
- Gluten-Free Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie
- Applegate pepperoni
- Dietz and Watson Originals Organic Turkey
- Roasted sweet potatoes
- Chobani Less Sugar Yogurt
kids lunch with granola bar, turkey sandwich, grapes and ants on a log
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Day 4: Packing in the protein with this nutritious combination.
- Zucchini Apple Muffin
- Simple Mills Almond crackers
- Buttered Corn
- Al Fresco Chicken Sausage
- Strawberries
- Cottage Cheese
kids lunchable with wheat thins, turkey, pepperoni, yogurt and cookie
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Day 5: Quick, easy, and packed with flavor!
- Simple Mills Banana Bread
- Grapes
- Sun Chips
- Pepperoni and Cheese Egg Wrap
- Carrots with ranch
lunch box with muffin, chicken sausage, strawberries, cottage cheese and crackers
Week 2: Creative Combinations
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Day 6: A delicious mix of textures and flavors.
- Crinkle carrot, carrot ribbon, mini pepper
- Wheat Thins
- Dried pears
- Bush’s Baked beans
- Turkey-wrapped mozzarella cheese stick
- Trail Mix (pepitas, Cheerios, raisins, mini marshmallows)
kids lunch with banana bread, egg wrap, carrots with ranch, sun chips and grapes
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Day 7: A kid-friendly classic with a side of fruits and dairy.
- Cheese and Triscuit thins
- Canned pineapple
- Kidfresh Foods Chicken Nuggets with ketchup
- Stonyfield yogurt tube
lunch box for kids with baked beans, turkey cheese roll up, trail mix and dried pears
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Day 8: A simple yet satisfying lunchbox featuring a cheesy quesadilla.
- Tortilla chips with Good Foods avocado mash
- Cheese quesadilla
- Hard-boiled egg (yolk removed)
- Reduced sugar fruit snacks
- Clementine
kids lunch box idea – chicken nuggets, yogurt tube, cheese and crackers and fruit
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Day 9: A fun twist on the classic PB&J, plus a delicious fruit salad.
- Peanut butter and jelly mini bagel
- Cookie
- Chomps beef stick + cheese stick + cherry tomatoes
- Fruit salad
- Banana bread
easy kids lunch – quesadilla, chips and guacamole, hard boiled egg, clementine and fruit snacks
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Day 10: A bento box filled with a variety of flavors and textures.
- Lentil Banana Muffin
- Graham cracker
- Turkey pepperoni pickle roll-up
- Roasted broccoli
- Dates with peanut butter
kids lunch box with peanut butter and jelly bagel, fruit salad, banana bread and cookie
Week 3 & 4: Keep the Inspiration Going!
Want to see the rest of the lunchbox ideas, including pancakes for lunch (yes, really!) and a mini pizza? Head over to my Month of Packed Lunches for Kids guide for 12 more creative and healthy lunchbox combinations.
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Tips and Tricks for Stress-Free Lunch Packing
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Prep Ahead: Simplify your mornings by prepping ingredients like chopped veggies, fruits, and hard-boiled eggs on the weekend.
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Involve Your Kids: Let your little ones help choose and pack their lunches. This encourages independence and makes them more likely to enjoy their meal.
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Invest in Quality Containers: A good lunchbox with leak-proof containers and ice packs is essential for keeping food fresh and safe.
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Think Outside the Sandwich: Sandwiches are great, but don’t be afraid to get creative! Leftovers, wraps, salads, and pasta salads are all excellent options.
Turn Lunchtime into Craft Time
Just like crafting, packing a healthy lunch is an act of love and creativity. With a little planning and these fun ideas, you can make lunchtime a highlight of your child’s day.
For more creative and family-friendly ideas, explore the Robert Kline Art website. We have a wealth of resources to inspire your next crafting adventure!