18 Best Lunch Ideas for Kids (Easy Back-to-School Lunch Recipes)
on Apr 02, 2022, Updated Nov 19, 2023
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Sometimes, feeding kids can be a real challenge. As a parent, you’re more concerned with nutrition and cost than with fun. We’ve rounded up 18 Easy Lunch Ideas for Kids to give you the best of both!
Ditch the boring sandwiches in favor of homemade meals that will show your kids how much you care. From chicken avocado roll-ups to healthy salad to lunch box grilled cheese, you’ll find some lunch ideas that your kids are sure to love.
What Should Kids Eat for Lunch?
The best lunches for kids are meals that are healthy and balanced, but are still fun and exciting enough to hold their interest. How about a BLT Pasta Salad or Black Bean Quesadillas?
For lunch boxes and bags, meals should be easily packable and able to stay fresh until lunchtime. Sandwiches and wraps are great because they can be customized to your child’s preferences and can be eaten without the need for utensils.
Easy Back-to-School Lunch Ideas
School Pizza
This school pizza is cheesy, flavorful, and so easy to make. You can customize with your kids’ favorite ingredients.
Dragon Roll Sushi
This popular sushi roll is definitely kid-approved thanks to the crunchy shrimp tempura and bite-size pieces. Treat your kids to an extra-special lunch with this yummy recipe.
Easy Cheese and Black Bean Quesadillas for Kids
Make it a Mexican-themed lunch with these tasty quesadillas. This quick and easy meal can be customized with all their favorite ingredients.
BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Kids will love the sweet and saucy taste of these pulled pork sandwiches. Best of all, the pork can be made ahead of time to make meal prep a breeze.
Microwave Mac n Cheese
Looking for a hassle-free lunch that the kiddies are sure to love? Mac and cheese is the classic kids meal that can be easily prepared in the microwave.
Healthy Lunch Ideas for Kids
Pita Bread with Hummus
Here’s a healthy snack that even the pickiest eaters will enjoy. This two-ingredient meal is simple enough for kids to make themselves.
Healthy Chicken Salad
Your little ones will love this light and flavorful chicken salad that’s great in sandwiches or wraps. Serve with a handful of fruit for a healthy, wholesome lunch.
Easy Egg Salad
Give them all the protein they need to make it through the day with this 5-minute egg salad. Incorporate into sandwiches, lettuce wraps or with crackers.
Best Tuna Salad
Keep cans of tuna for those days when you need a quick, healthy lunch for the kids. Try stuffing this tuna salad in avocado halves for a nutritious midday meal.
Packed Lunch Ideas for Kids
Chicken Avocado Roll Ups
Leftover chicken from Sunday dinner makes a tasty lunch for Monday! These avocado chicken wraps are so easy to make and are sure to leave them satisfied.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
It’s the classic sandwich that you probably had when you were a child. This recipe is simple enough for kids to try for themselves!
Lunch Wraps
You only need fifteen minutes for this lightly grilled wrap, stuffed with chicken breast, zesty ranch dressing and melted cheddar cheese.
Lunch Box Grilled Cheese
Nobody likes a soggy sandwich. Discover the secret to a perfectly crispy grilled cheese that’s still tasty by lunchtime.
Quick Lunch Ideas for Kids
Chicken Teriyaki Rice Bowls
This Japanese-inspired lunch bowl tastes like it’s from their favorite restaurant. In just fifteen minutes, you can put together a complete meal that’ll keep them happy until dinnertime.
BLT Pasta Salad
This colorful salad takes just fifteen minutes to make. It’s the perfect midday meal to prepare when working from home with the kids.
Ham and Cheese Sandwich
This toasted sandwich is tasty enough to please picky eaters and it’s so easy to prepare. Soon, they’ll be asking for this sandwich by name.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Kids all over the world love the gooey-gooey goodness of a grilled cheese sandwich. Serve this classic on its own or as an accompaniment to a bowl of soup.
Pretzel Hot Dogs
These fun, dippable dogs are the perfect combo of a soft pretzel and a hot dog. This recipe is simple enough for the kids to get involved.
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Chicken Avocado Roll Ups
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 1 medium avocado, peeled and pitted
- 1/2 medium red onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 tablespoons green onion, minced
- 3/4 cup shredded cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 3 tablespoons plain yogurt
- 1 ½ teaspoons lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 flour tortillas, 10-inch
Instructions
- Mash the peeled avocado with a fork to the desired consistency.
- In a medium bowl, add avocado, lime juice, yogurt, salt, and garlic powder. Whisk to mix well
- In a large bowl, add shredded chicken, red onion, bell pepper, green onion, parsley, and shredded cheese.
- Add the avocado mixture, and stir to mix until blended.
- Place tortillas on a work surface, one at a time.
- Spread a layer of chicken avocado mixture on top of a tortilla.
- Roll up the tortilla holding it together tightly with your fingertips. Then slice the roll into 1-inch pieces with a sharp knife.
- Repeat for remaining tortillas. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
