School Lunch Ideas They'll Actually Eat

School Lunch Ideas They’ll Actually Eat

It’s back to school time and I’m determined to rock the lunch thing. Yup. I’m all about creative school lunch ideas that my kids will be thrilled to eat. I am going to make a lot of healthy, delicious foods ahead of time and keep them in my freezer. I’m going to invest in the proper lunch boxes…like a Bento-style box. I’m going to rock it, I tell you.

OK, this is all ambitious, but a girl’s got to dream big, right?!

I’ve been researching lunch box ideas for kids that are somewhat healthy and have come up with some ideas I think you’re really going to like. These school lunch ideas will inspire you and help you think outside the (lunch) box.

School Lunch Ideas

Pimento Cheese Pinwheels

Pinwheels are the ideal lunchbox finger food! This flavorful combo will be a hit.

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Photo: Food For My Family
Mini Taco Hand Pies

These hand pies are packed with protein. Add a side of salsa and guac.

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Photo: Lemons for Lulu
Lunch On a Stick

Here’s an idea children can’t resist… put their favorite foods on a stick! There is something about mini skewers that is so appealing to kids.

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Photo: SkinnyTaste
Veggie Nuggets

These veggie nuggets are served with a two-ingredient pesto sauce for dipping. If you put these frozen nuggets in a lunch box in the morning they’ll be perfectly thawed out by lunch.

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Photo: The Vintage Mixer
Cinnamon Chips and Homemade Fruit Salsa

This irresistible dessert is healthy, too.

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Photo: Our Best Bites
Zucchini and Banana Muffins

These muffins taste amazing and are filled with healthy ingredients, including bananas, zucchini, whole wheat flour, and applesauce.

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Photo: Savor the Thyme
Tangy Pasta Salad

Toss this salad together the night before; your kids will love the combination of fresh grape tomatoes, cheese, and crunchy peppers for lunch the next day.

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Photo: Barefeet in the Kitchen
Homemade Ranch Dip

Pair fresh veggies with this delish dip and your kids will be happy to dig in.

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Photo: Barefeet in the Kitchen

Karen Petersen is a cookbook author and food blogger at 365 Days of Slow Cooking. Mostly she writes about the new foods and recipes she's been making at her home for her husband and two children. She loves easy recipes that are full of flavor. She is a crockpot connoisseur and has created over 1000 slow cooker recipes in the past 5 1/2 years. She loves dessert more than anything else in the whole world and likes to plan it, make it, eat it, talk about it while eating it and then review it after it's gone. You can also visit Karen on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, and Pinterest.