50+ Best Easy School Lunch Ideas

Do you find it tiring or overwhelming to make school lunches? Here are 50+ ideas of kid-approved school lunch ideas to inspire you so lunches are never boring to eat or hard to make!

Sometimes we all need a little inspiration when it comes to putting together some fun school lunches for kids (me too!). I think the goal for every parent is to send items that are healthy as well as foods that the kiddos will actually want to eat!

That’s where these school lunch ideas will come in handy. These lunches are packed full of goodies so that they can enjoy a healthy balanced school lunch with a little extra fun.

50+ Kid-Approved Easy School Lunch Ideas

Many of these school lunch ideas can easily be made ahead for the week so you can save time each morning when it comes to packing their lunch box. Healthy, delicious, and fun – these school lunches for kids will be the perfect way to send them with a tasty lunch.

Don’t forget to include one of these adorable lunch box notes to make your kiddo’s day!

1. Easy Colorful Rainbow Pinwheels

These colorful rainbow pinwheels are a perfect school lunch idea! They’re filled with healthy, nutritious ingredients, and the colors make them even more appealing.

Rainbow Turkey pinwheel school lunch idea

2. Chorizo And Poblano Quesadillas

Spice up school lunches with Chorizo and Poblano Quesadillas! Easy to make and packed with flavor, these quesadillas combine spicy chorizo and sweet peppers for a delicious twist. Perfect for a quick, satisfying meal.

3. Star-Shaped Mini Ham & Cheese Sandwiches

Kids will love these star-shaped mini ham sandwiches! A wholesome and fun snack or lunchbox idea! One of our favorite kids recipes because you only need a few simple ingredients and you have a delightful meal ready in minutes!

4. Sandwich Lollipops

Sandwich lollipops put a special spin on the “usual” school lunch!

5. Mini Biscuit Pizzas

Kids will love these mini biscuit pizzas! They’re easy to make with canned biscuit dough baked in a muffin tin!

6. Bacon, Grilled Cheese, Turkey Kabobs

Change up the school lunch routine with these kid-approved turkey kabobs! They’re a fun twist on the traditional grilled cheese.

7. Avocado Bagel Sandwich (Avocado Bagel Toast)

Creamy & Healthy Avocado Bagel Sandwich that can be made with regular toast bread or bagel. 4 delicious veggie pairings are included!

8. Mini BLT Bagel

Need a fun school lunch idea to break up the monotony of school lunches? Your kids will love this BLT bagel, and you’ll love just how easy a BLT on a bagel makes packing school lunches.

9. Vegan Coronation Chicken / Chickpeas

No-cook vegan coronation chicken that’s done in 10 minutes! Made with chickpeas (or vegan chicken, tofu, or tempeh), it’s a versatile and delicious recipe!

10. Pizza Stuffed Crescent Rolls

These pizza crescent rolls are a delicious twist on pizza night. Easy to make with just a few ingredients!

11. Strawberry and Cream Cheese Roll Ups

A sweet mixture of cream cheese, milk, powdered sugar and vanilla simply layered on bread with fresh cut strawberries. Strawberry and cream cheese rollups make a quick and easy filling meal or treat.

Strawberry cream cheese roll ups bundled up on countertop

12. Quick and Easy Pizza Pinwheels

Easy pizza pinwheels make a great alternative to sandwiches for lunch. Made with simple ingredients and delivers that pizza flavor kids love.

13. Mortadella, Burrata and Pesto Focaccia Sandwich

Treat your kids with a fantastic Italian sandwich made with the best ingredients Italy has to offer: creamy burrata cheese, mortadella, pesto and balsamic vinegar. Bonus: this mortadella, burrata, and pesto sandwich takes less than 10 minutes to prepare.

14. Spanish Tortilla with Tomatoes and Chickpeas

This Spanish omelet with potatoes, tomatoes, and chickpeas is a nutritious and easy lunch option for kids. Packed with protein from the eggs and chickpeas and vitamins from the tomatoes, it’s a filling, tasty meal that’s quick to prepare and sure to keep their brains fueled for learning.

15. Pizza Egg Muffins

Pizza Egg Muffins are a great option to put in lunchboxes during the school year, eat at dinner or brunch. These pizza egg muffins mix together eggs, red bell pepper, mozzarella cheese, sausage, pepperoni and then topped with pizza sauce and more cheese.

16. Chicken Club Sandwich

This classic chicken club sandwich is a satisfying lunch option. Enjoy a flavorful combination of tender chicken, crispy bacon, and fresh lettuce, tomato, and avocado on toasted bread.

17. Easy Pepperoni Pizza Quesadillas

What happens when you combine the cheesy deliciousness of a pizza with a crispy quesadilla? Pizza quesadillas are the perfect blend of two favorites, and they’re a cinch to make and customize any way your kiddo prefers them.

bento box filled with pepperoni pizza quesadilla fresh fruit and carrot sticks

18. One Pot Mac ‘n Cheese with Broccoli

One pot mac ‘n cheese with broccoli is a wonderfully easy weeknight dinner recipe. Have a healthy, gluten-free meal on the table in under 30 minutes!

19. Pizza Pockets

These freezable pizza pockets are a fabulous healthy school lunch idea! If you place one in your child’s lunchbox frozen (even with an ice pack), it will defrost by lunchtime.

20. Protein Packed Watermelon Kabobs

These protein packed Watermelon Kabobs are just the right fit your kiddo is sure to gobble up! Add in a favorite yogurt flavor, mixed berries, cheddar cheese cubes and smoked turkey breast for a well-rounded lunch to maintain energy all day.

21. Best Ham and Cheese Sliders

The best Ham and Cheese Sliders combine savory ham and melted cheese, nestled in soft, buttery rolls, making them irresistibly delicious! Include the tangy aioli or leave it off – all depending on what your kiddo likes!

22. Four Cheese Mac and Cheese

This creamy f our cheese mac and cheese is cozy, warm, and comforting. Your family, both kids and grownups alike, will adore this one-pot recipe for weeknight dinners or as a satisfying school lunch idea.

23. One Pot Pizza Pasta

This One Pot Pizza Pasta is a weeknight meal saver. It’s easy, tasty, and sure to please. Kids and adults alike will devour this one.

24. Spinach Pizzadilla

This fun twist on two classic favorites (pizza and quesadillas) is sure to be a hit with even the pickiest eaters. Spinach pizzadilla is a great school lunch idea because it’s healthy and filled with yummy veggies that will satisfy all afternoon.

A bento box with Spinach Pizzadillas, a sauce container, fresh strawberries, and blueberries on a marble surface. Nearby are whole strawberries, a checkered cloth, blueberries, and a bowl of fresh spinach leaves.

25. Sliced Egg Sandwich Recipe

An easy, delicious protein-packed boiled egg sandwich made with real fresh ingredients. The recipe can be made in just 10 minutes, if boiled eggs are already in hand.

26. Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Dig into this creamy Buffalo Chicken Pasta for a lunchtime treat! It’s a bit spicy, super creamy, and takes just 25 minutes to make. Perfect for meal prep, this recipe is loved by kids and adults alike, and even gluten-free friendly.

27. Gluten-Free Taco Pasta Salad

Try this Gluten-Free Taco Pasta Salad for a fun school lunch! It’s a creamy, spicy mix of pasta, beef, and veggies, topped with a simple salsa mayo dressing.

28. Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwich

Enjoy the best school lunch with this yummy Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwich! It’s creamy, a bit spicy, and melts perfectly between crispy bread. Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s a delicious twist on the classic grilled cheese.

29. Turkey And Swiss Homemade Hot Pockets

If you’re a fan of hot pockets, you’ll love our version, which is both easy to make and delicious. These Turkey and Swiss Homemade Hot Pockets are perfect for a school lunch idea or after school snack, and you can make them exactly how your kiddo likes them!

A divided lunch container sits on a striped cloth, filled with a Homemade Turkey and Swiss Hot Pocket on one side and a mix of fresh fruits and vegetables on the other. Baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, blueberries, and kiwi slices are visible. A bowl of blueberries and whole kiwi are in the background.

30. Ham And Cheese Crescent Rolls

Try serving ham and cheese crescent rolls for lunch! The classic combination of ham and cheddar is always delicious, but feel free to get creative with other deli meats and cheeses.

31. Corndog Bites

These delightful corndog bites are so fun to eat and even easier to make! If you need something new and interesting, try this lunch box favorite!

32. Mini Pizzettas

Think of a pizza that is so small it can fit in the palm of your hand. Mini pizzetta are also easy to pack and easy for small hands to grasp because of their small size.

33. Chicken Bacon Ranch Pinwheels

Packed full of flavor, chicken ranch bacon pinwheels are chock full of savory bacon, creamy ranch, sharp cheddar cheese, and tender chicken in every bite and perfect for school lunch.

34. Chicken Avocado Wrap

This chicken avocado wrap is a simple, delicious recipe that combines the fresh flavor of chicken salad with creamy, delicious avocado. Perfect for school lunch!

35. Carrot, Broccoli and Cheese Pinwheels

If you’re on the hunt for easy back to school lunch ideas, these broccoli and cheddar pinwheels are the perfect option! They taste great cold, are easy to pack and super fun to eat!

36. Fried Uncrustables

Upgrade your PB&J game with this unique twist on a classic sandwich. Fried Uncrustables are a crispy and delicious recipe that the whole family will enjoy! Perfect for a quick lunchbox addition!

37. Taco Crescent Rolls

Using only 4 ingredients, these Taco Crescent Rolls are perfect for quick school lunches. Taco seasoned ground beef combined with your favorite salsa, stuffed inside a crescent roll! Add your favorite taco toppings for a customizable meal anyone will love.

38. Vegan Pizza Muffin

These pizza muffins are an absolute hit! They are tasty and healthy, packed with seeds and goodness. Perfect for lunchboxes and snacking!

39. Mediterranean Pinwheels

Mediterranean pinwheels are tortillas filled with hummus, feta cheese, roasted red peppers, arugula, red onion, and parsley, before being rolled and cut into the perfect bite sized school lunch.

40. Turkey Bacon Ranch Wrap

Turkey bacon ranch wraps use simple ingredients to make easy wraps that can be made the night before or even in a morning rush. They’re a kid favorite!

41. Gluten-Free Lunch Ideas

If you need to stay away from gluten, these gluten-free Bento box lunch ideas are great examples can give you a few ideas.

42. Mini Quesadillas

The perfect snack or school lunch idea, these mini quesadillas are easy to make and the kiddos and help you prepare them.

43. Chicken Taco School Lunch Idea

A delicious way to enjoy lunch, kids will love these fun chicken taco lunches and it comes with free printable lunch box notes so you can brighten their day.

44. Pull Apart Italian Meatball Sliders

Sweet Hawaiian rolls are stuffed with marinara sauce and meatballs and topped with mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, and parsley. These Cheesy Italian Meatball Sliders are a great school lunch idea that’s sure to satisfy your kiddo all afternoon!

Easy Pull Apart Cheesy Italian Meatball Sliders on a white plate is placed on a table with a green leafy decor in the background. To the right, is a meatball slider on a white cutting board that has been pulled apart and is showing the meatball split in half, with plenty of red sauce and melty cheese. A white and gray striped cloth is draped partially over the table.

45. Crock Pot Hamburger Helper

This cheeseburger macaroni is completely made from scratch and packed with flavor. It’s a great weeknight meal that doubles as a delicious school lunch idea.

Best School Lunch Sides

No school lunch is complete without side dishes! Here are some school lunch ideas to pair with the main dishes above.

46. Homemade Soft Pretzels

Homemade Soft Pretzels are surprisingly easy to make and a terrific school lunch idea! Include them with various salads, fruits, veggies, and your kiddo’s favorite dips and sauces!

Close-up of freshly baked, golden-brown pretzels topped with coarse salt, placed in a red bowl with a white polka dot pattern. The pretzels have a shiny crust and appear soft on the inside.

47. Pumpkin Apple Oat Muffins

Moist, tender muffins loaded with pumpkin, warm cozy spices and a bit of apple, with bits of dried cranberry and walnuts, these pumpkin apple oat muffins are healthy and filling. Perfect for fueling young brains for learning!

48. Simple Grated Potato Fritters Recipe

With a light, crisp exterior, tender, soft interior, these potato fritters come together quickly and are shallow fried on a pan (instead of deep-fried), which makes for a perfect side dish for breakfast or snack at any time of the day.

49. Banana Protein Muffins

These popular, healthy, delicious banana protein muffins taste like classic banana bread your mom made. However, they’re low in added sugar, PACKED with protein, easy to make, and a kid-requested favorite!

A tray of freshly baked Banana Protein Muffins in a muffin tin, with whole bananas and scattered walnuts on a marble countertop.

50. Healthy Apple Flapjacks

Healthy apple flapjacks are low sugar oat bars, perfect for when you need something filling. These soft and chewy flapjacks are a great addition to school lunchboxes!

51. Creamy Chickpea Salad

This Creamy Chickpea Salad is a tasty, simple to make side salad that is perfect for school lunches. It’s protein packed and easy to make ahead of time.

52. Cottage Cheese Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

Cottage cheese makes these muffins incredibly moist and fluffy! Not only do these cottage cheese pumpkin streusel muffins deliver irresistible flavor, but you also get a lunch treat that’ll keep your kiddo satisfied all day.

53. Olive Hummus

This Olive Hummus will thrill all olive and hummus lovers. It’s got an excellent mix of the tasty flavors of olives and creamy hummus, and the perfect amount of spice too.

54. 4-Ingredient Pasta Salad

This refreshing cold pasta salad is the perfect lunch box option for busy families and will delight even the picky eaters! You need less than a handful of ingredients for this easy 4-ingredient pasta salad, yet it’s bursting with delicious flavor!

55. Greek Yogurt Granola Bars

Delicious homemade granola bars made with crunchy peanut butter, Greek yogurt, rolled oats, and a tasty mix of nuts and seeds. Perfect for those short lunch periods!

56. Greek Yogurt Peanut Butter Dip

Delicious, fluffy Greek yogurt mixed with salty peanut butter and sweet honey! Greek yogurt peanut butter dip is perfect for fresh fruit, graham crackers, pretzels and so much more.

57. Fruity Grape Salad

Another healthy and delicious lunch for kids, they can help make this grape salad and then enjoy it with their lunch.

A white ceramic bowl holds a creamy chicken salad mixed with celery, grapes, and a dressing. In the background, there is a wooden salt container and a red onion placed on a light blue cloth and a white table.

58. No-Fail Zucchini Muffins

Healthy Zucchini muffins make an excellent snack, on-the-go breakfast, or school lunch idea for kids! This recipe is virtually no-fail, and the muffins are completely irresistible!

I hope you found several school lunch ideas in this list that will make your kiddo’s day – and make planning and packing school lunches easier!

Don’t forget to grab a set of lunchbox notes to really make lunch an affair to look forward to!