Quick & Easy School Lunch Ideas

Lee County Schools are fortunate enough to have free breakfast and lunch for our kids. There are, however, lots of schools that don't offer meals. Some children have dietary restrictions. Some are picky eaters. Some kids want to be in the "lunchbox" group once a week. Whatever the reason, you may find yourself looking for school lunch ideas. 

My preschooler is a big eater! You give the boy food, he'll eat it (unless Sissy says something is disgusting, then, of course, it magically becomes disgusting to him as well). While my son prefers a variety of different lunches each day, he would be equally as happy to eat a PB&J sandwich every day for a week. Anyways, here are some tips and ideas for you when preparing or planning school lunch for your kiddos!

• Prepare meals the night before. This will help you avoid a morning rush and added stress.
• Add a cute lunch note. My 2nd grader loves it when she gets to have a lunchbox day. She enjoys picking her meal/sides, packing her lunchbox, and opening it at school to find a surprise motivational or funny quote! It lets her know that I'm thinking about her and gives her a smile if she's having a rough day.
• Remember plastic utensils and napkins. If they'll be needing a fork or spoon for their meal, don't forget it! They can likely grab one from the cafeteria, but if they're like my daughter, they'd rather use their fingers (or not eat) just to avoid the embarrassment of walking up to the lunch line just for a fork.
• Pack napkins. Even if the cafeteria has some, some spills require immediate clean up. We like to save those extra napkins (and plastic utensils) that we get from fast food places, and use them for lunches!
• Bento boxes. They are great for separating the different lunch items, but if you don't have one, Tupperware and/or Ziploc bags work just as well!
• Leftovers. Never forget the power of leftovers. My son loves having chicken and rice leftovers from the night prior, and you kill two birds with one stone!
• Pack a treat. It's nice to have a surprise Oreo cookie, m&m's or mini Snickers in their lunch boxes, if they're allowed!

Entrée Ideas:

• Homemade Lunchables: Pack up 6-10 Ritz crackers. Cut a block of cheese cut into 1.5" flat squares. Grab your choice of lunch meat and cut into small square pieces. 
• Turkey/Ham Wraps: Start with a tortilla. Lay it flat, then add pieces of lettuce or spinach, followed by thinly sliced turkey or ham. Roll it up like a burrito, then cut it into 1-2" chunks.
• PB&J Sandwich: Take two pieces of bread, spread jelly (or honey) on one slice, and peanut butter on the other slice. Put them together (sticky side in), and then cut into 4 small squares or triangles. Bonus points if you have a large cookie cutter that can cut a fun shape out of the sandwich!
• Homemade Starbucks Protein Boxes: My personal favorite is the cheese and fruit box (crackers, grapes, a variety of cheese slices, and sliced apples)! My kids like the PB&J box with apples and carrots.
• BLT or Chicken Caesar Salad: Spice up the average salad with bacon bits and grape tomatoes, or add some Caesar dressing to grilled (or even canned) chicken and parmesan cheese.
• Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Make it the morning or night prior, and add some ham to it!
• Chicken Nuggets: Bake, air-fry, or fry them at home the night prior. Just be sure to let them cool off completely before sealing them in the Tupperware, or they'll get soggy!
• Sloppy Joe: Be sure to pack up the meaty filling in a Tupperware-like container, and the buns/bread in a separate sandwich baggie so that it doesn't get soggy!
• Egg, Tuna, or Chicken Salad Sandwich: Throw some 
• Quesadilla: Make a homemade quesadilla using tortillas, cheese, and chicken/beef, if you like!
• Charcuterie Board Lunch: Cut up cheese, meats, granola, crackers, fruits ... everything you love on your cheese board, in a smaller portion in a lunch box!
• Mini Pancakes: Whip up some mini pancakes the night prior, but ensure you have a small Tupperware for the syrup to dip it in! Add bananas, blueberries, or chocolate chips to the batter for added flavor!
• Spaghetti and Meatballs: Leftover spaghetti and meatballs? Perfect for the kiddos' lunch!
• BBQ Meatballs or Mini Hot Dogs/Wienies: Send a toothpick or plastic fork with them, and they can enjoy a tasty BBQ treat for lunch. 
• Meat and Cheese Skewers: Cut up little cubes of cheese and meats, and put them on a skewer (or toothpicks)
• Pizza: Hear me out -- try to let it cool all the way after dinner, then slice it into small, bite-sized squares, and your little one will love it!
• Pasta or Mac n Cheese: What is more quick and easy than noodles? The nice thing is that some pastas are intended to be cold (without the need to reheat)!

Ideas for Sides:

Fruit & Veggie Ideas:

Drink Ideas:

100% Fruit Juice Boxes
Capri Sun
Milk Cartons (strawberry, chocolate, regular)
Smoothies To-Go (Bolthouse Farms, Naked, etc)
Flavored Water (Hint, Propel, Splash, etc)

If you have any ideas for quick and easy school lunch ideas, let us know!