11+ School Lunch Ideas That Your Kids Will Love

December 15, 2023

Can't wait for the school bell to ring? The exuberant chirping of the school bus, the joyous chatter of kids, and the hustle and bustle of weekday mornings – it's all part of the delightful whirlwind of family life! But amid these vibrant routines, finding time to whip up exciting, healthy lunches for your little ones can often feel like trying to solve an especially tricky math problem. You're not alone - even the most dedicated parents sometimes feel overwhelmed by keeping school-year lunch boxes healthy and kid-approved.

Kids, bless their hearts, can be notoriously picky eaters. Who hasn't dealt with a stubborn little one, arms folded, resolutely refusing to eat their veggies, or determinedly picking out every single morsel that doesn't meet their current flavor of the week? But fear not, we have your back this school season. We understand that a parent’s job is no cakewalk, and it involves getting creative, often at a moment’s notice, to please those little taste buds while making sure they stay healthy.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to transform the school lunch box from a daily chore into an effortless task, resulting in lunches that your kids will absolutely adore. Get ready to embrace a world of school lunch ideas that are wholesome, delectable, and — yes — will even pass the strictest taste tests of your little ones!

Feel like the clock is always racing ahead, leaving you with little time to plan meals and do grocery shopping for your kid’s cherished school lunches? Give Hungryroot a go and experience the delight of healthy snacks and groceries that transform into tasty recipes for the entire family delivered straight to your door! Start your journey by taking our personalized quiz to get the best recommendations just for your family.

Kid-Approved School Lunch Ideas + Snacks

We've combed through our library of 2000+ recipes to curate a selection of delicious, yet healthy lunch ideas that will have your kids raving at their school lunch table.

Plant-based Chicken Tenders + Fries With Ketchup: This dish brings together the yummy flavors and textures kids will love, all while giving a hearty dose of nutrition. Savory plant-based chicken tenders are roasted and paired with a side of crispy and baked sweet potato fries. Let’s not forget the veggie ketchup that adds a sweet, tangy zing that kids can’t get enough of, with less sugar and more nutrients than your standard ketchup. This recipe only takes 27 minutes to prepare, but the result is a meal so delicious, your kids will be looking forward to lunchtime all morning!

Supremely Cheesy Beef Burritos: This quick, satisfying, and delicious meal promises a feast of fun textures and flavors, combined with balanced nutrients to keep your kids energized all day. Seared grass-fed beef, rich in protein and essential nutrients, is paired with a sprinkle of taco seasoning and a handful of sharp cheddar cheese. All of these delicious ingredients are wrapped up in warm and tender white corn tortillas. It's more than just a meal - it's a flavor adventure in a wrap, a lunchtime joy that your kids will be eagerly waiting for.

Chicken Tender + Marinara Mozzarella Sandwich: This hearty, soul-soothing delight takes the beloved flavors of a classic Italian dish and wraps it up in a neat, portable package perfect for the school lunchbox. Sizzling plant-based, chicken tenders, high in protein, are smothered in a tomato marinara sauce and crowned with melted mozzarella cheese. All these tasty ingredients come together in a multigrain wholesome bun that’s toasted to just the right amount of crispiness. Brace yourselves for the good news - this flavor-packed delight takes only 11 minutes to prepare! We're talking about a lunch that will make them smile, and nourishment that will keep them going strong.

Cheeseburger Eggrolls + Super Special Sauce: Who's ready for a lunch that's a true game-changer? A fabulous fusion of classic flavors that your kids will simply adore. Imagine the mouthwatering heartiness of grass-fed ground beef. We add the crunch and tang of bread and butter pickles and then elevate the mix with the creamy, gooey cheddar cheese. This heavenly filling gets enclosed in crispy egg roll wrappers and served alongside a mouthwatering super special sauce for a dipping experience your child will love!

Plant-based Chicken Tenders + Mac ‘n Cheese: Get ready for a flavor explosion that will rock your kid's lunchtime world! This meal takes the mouthwatering crunch of plant-based chicken tenders, packed with protein and meaty satisfaction, and pairs it with the creamy, cheesy delight of cauliflower macaroni and cheese. But the surprises don't stop there – broccoli florets are served on the side, adding a crispy crunch with a wonderful dose of fiber and vitamins. The magic of this kid's lunch comes together in just 14 minutes, making it a dream for busy families.

Pepperoni White Pizza: Are you ready to take the school lunch game to a whole new level? This recipe is a fun, delicious, and surprisingly easy-to-make lunch your kids will simply love! Picture the crisp, smoky goodness of pizza crusts, topped with slices of pepperoni. Top it all off with a generous sprinkle of mozzarella cheese (a great source of calcium), for that ooey-gooey delight. What’s even better is this pizza party can come to life in a quick 10 minutes. Pair with a snack size, plastic bags of chocolate chip cookies, fresh berries, baby carrots, or trail mix for an extra filling lunch. So go ahead and spread the joy of a homemade pizza lunch that will have your kids eagerly looking forward to their lunch break!

Turkey Pesto Grilled Cheese: This is not your average sandwich. Soft, nutritious slices of whole grain bread are generously layered with flavorful deli meat, turkey breast. The kale pesto adds a creamy twist to this classic sandwich delivering not only flavor but also leafy green nutrition. Sprinkled with sharp cheddar cheese, full of calcium for strong bones and teeth, the sandwich is ready to be toasted to golden perfection. Within just 8 minutes, you can deliver a delicious and wholesome lunch for your little one. Say hello to stress-free school lunches and get ready to earn the title of 'Parent of the Year' with this tasty, nutritious crowd-pleaser!

Sharp Cheddar + Apple Grilled Cheese: Get ready to discover an unforgettable, flavorful adventure that will thrill your kid’s taste buds and set them up for a successful day of learning! In just 5 minutes, you'll be able to prepare this tasty dish using whole grain bread, loaded with fiber that aids digestion and keeps your little ones full. Then comes the star of our sandwich, sharp cheddar cheese - it's not just incredibly yummy, it's also packed with calcium essential for growing bones. But what truly makes this grilled cheese a showstopper is the unexpected yet unique addition of thin, crisp apple slices. Their natural sweetness, combined with the rich, creamy cheese, creates an amazing sweet-and-savory flavor sensation that your kids will adore at lunchtime.

Chicken Quesadilla with Black Bean Salad: This is a meal your kids will absolutely love, and it's also a nutritional powerhouse that will fuel their active school day. In just 6 minutes, you'll whip up a delicious dish featuring the irresistible combination of grilled chicken breast, filled with lean protein to support growth and muscle development, and pepper jack cheese slices, a delicious source of calcium for your kids growing bodies. These ingredients come together inside a plain tortilla, a healthier alternative to traditional bread, and they are then topped off with a refreshing cucumber corn black bean salad. A serving of this spectacular combo provides an array of vital nutrients so your child gets the nourishment they need for their busy day at school.

Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese: This school-time recipe is a creative fusion of two all-time favorites that not only tastes delicious but also packs in a whole lot of nutritional goodness. Ready in just 5 minutes, this kid-friendly meal combines the bold, aromatic flavor of a tomato marinara sauce and delicious uncured pepperoni and creamy Havarti cheese slices. All of these ingredients are nestled in between two whole-grain bread slices for delightful, classic grilled cheese that’ll have your kids feeling energetic, focused, and happy throughout the school day.

Mac ‘n Cheese with Salt + Pepper Breadcrumbs: Are you ready to whip up an irresistibly delicious and easy lunch that your kids will be over the moon about in their school lunch box? Get ready to introduce them to an all-time classic – a creamy and crunchy mac ‘n cheese! Chiocciole pasta is cooked until tender and combined with a creamy and flavorful cheesy sauce consisting of cheddar cheese and alfredo sauce. This fantastic duo elevates the mac ‘n cheese to an exquisite gourmet experience while offering a solid dose of protein and calcium – vital for your child’s muscle growth and bone health. The mac ‘n cheese is browned with a layer of salt + pepper sourdough croutons to give the meal a delectable crunch. It's a lunchtime delight that provides an excellent balance of proteins, healthy fats, and carbs, ensuring your child stays active and focused during their school day.

School Lunch Snacks

Fruit + Nut + Cheese Snack: This is the ultimate school lunchtime snack that’ll be a surefire hit with the kids. Juicy, sweet grapes and blueberries are paired with sharp cheddar cheese cubes that add a zesty kick to complement the fruits. Then, salted roasted almonds add a perfect crunch providing both taste and texture to this magnificent combo. This snack pack hits all the right notes: it's savory, it's sweet, and it's oh-so-satisfying. Your kids will be looking forward to lunchtime with anticipation, knowing they have a snack that tastes amazing and fuels their bodies for the rest of the day.

Pretzels + Cheese Snack Pack: This snack will add a sprinkle of excitement to your child's lunch break, ensuring every bite is an adventure! Crunchy pretzels team up with rich, creamy cheddar cheese for a delightful combination of tanginess and texture. The snack pack gets better with the addition of crispy, fresh apples that add a sweet twist to complement the savory flavors of the cheese. It is the ultimate hunger-buster, keeping your little ones satisfied and energetic throughout their day at school.

Sunbutter + Jam Dipper: Ditch the peanut butter and jelly sandwich for this snack-size alternative, a high-protein powerhouse that’ll keep your kids fueled and focused all afternoon. This snack pack features a combination of crisp cassava, flaxseed crackers paired with creamy sunflower butter, and perfectly sweet strawberry chia jam. Sunflower butter is a nut and allergy-friendly alternative to nut butter. Not only is this snack high in protein, but it’s also gluten-free, nut-free, and vegan! A snack that’s as nutritious as it is delicious and friendly for all kinds of dietary needs and food allergies. No need for any heating, it’s ready to go at room temperature, making it the perfect companion for your child’s lunchbox.

Plant-based Queso + Chip Dipper: The dipper transforms snack time into a savory adventure that keeps kids satisfied and ready to conquer the rest of their day. This pack comes with a mouthwatering combination of crunchy, gluten-free white corn tortilla chips and zesty vegan “cheese” dip. It’s all vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free. It’s a snack that cares about your kids’ health just as much as you do.

Plant-based Guoda Snack Pack: Say goodbye to those boring lunchbox snacks and prepare to welcome a burst of yummy flavors. With this snack pack, we’re serving up bold, plant-based gouda cheeze cubes that taste just like the real deal. But that’s not all – add into the mix some perfectly salted almonds, crunchy and protein-packed, then sweet, dried cranberries to balance out the flavors. This snack pack is vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free, so it’s a sure-fire hit for specific dietary or food restrictions.

We know that life can get hectic, but creating fun, family-friendly school lunches shouldn't be a struggle. That's why Hungryroot brings you custom-selected, healthy groceries that magically turn into delicious, easy-to-cook meals, delivered right to your door. Our seamless process not only frees up your valuable time but also helps you and your kids effortlessly embrace a healthy lifestyle, letting you savor the rewards of a stress-free, happier life. Let us be your trusted partner in your family’s healthy journey—because your family deserves to feel good, inside and out.

Start your journey by taking our personalized quiz to get your own family and kid-friendly recipe and grocery recommendations.