Creative Lunch Ideas for Kids They Will Actually Eat
Looking for packed lunches your kids will enjoy? Try these innovative lunch ideas for kids.Medically reviewed by Janet Helm, MS, RDNMedically reviewed by Janet Helm, MS, RDNEating lunch is not only important for your child's physical growth, it can also help them stay focused and mentally sharp at school. But that won't happen if the school lunches you pack come back home barely touched. Experimenting with some new lunch ideas for kids makes it more likely they give their food a try.If you're looking for a little inspiration before you pack their lunchboxes, below are some creative recipe ideas along with tips to get your child to eat during the day.
Parents / Zackary Angeline
Reasons Kids Might Not Eat Packed LunchesThere are a variety of distractions that compete with the main purpose of the lunch period at school, which is eating a meal. Your child may be dealing with one or several of these issues on a daily basis.Short Lunch Periods: Understand that your child likely only has a very short window for lunchtime at school—often just about 20 minutes once they actually sit down with their food. Brainstorm with your child about how to maximize their eating time.Distractions: With the bustling activity of the cafeteria, finding a seat, socializing with friends, peer pressure, and the lure of recess competing with your child's grumbling tummy, your child might need some help navigating how to make time to eat.They Need Some Help: Remember that for little kids, just opening containers and wrappers can be a challenge. Some students are reluctant to ask for help, or there might be too much commotion in the cafeteria for them to quickly get an adult's attention. Make sure your child's little fingers can easily open everything you pack.Social Issues: Sometimes kids aren't eating due to other issues at school, such as learning challenges, bullying, negative body image, poor self-confidence, or even not wanting to have to go to the bathroom.Perk Up Packed LunchesHere are a few tactics that are worth trying to help make your child's packed lunch more appealing and efficient to eat.Plan lunches together
Parents / Zackary Angeline
Let your child help you build the menu for their lunches. Having them come up with ideas (within reason) for what to include builds excitement and pride, which encourages them to eat what's in there.Take them to the store with you to pick out coveted items and dream up their ideal packed lunches. Some kids will be motivated by making a chart where they choose their own meal rotation for the week.Assign lunch-packing dutyIn addition to having your child plan the menu, assign them the job of actually putting the items into their lunchbox. Not only is this a great opportunity to teach your child responsibility, independence, and basic meal preparation skills, but it might incentivize your child to eat what's in there.When they have more ownership over the process and are allowed to choose their own lunchbox/lunch containers, it can make them more excited to eat.Kids can get overwhelmed with indefinite choices, so let them pick between a ham, cheese, or nut butter sandwich for their main course and carrot sticks or cucumber for the veggie. Having limited choices will give your child agency over their lunch content while still having a nutritionally balanced meal.Use cutouts
Parents / Zackary Angeline
Sandwich cutters in fun designs are a parent's best friend. That turkey and Swiss cheese sandwich might be more likely to be scarfed down if it is cut into the shape of a dinosaur, flower, or star.You can also use large cookie cutters. Alternatively, you can keep it simple by cutting a sandwich into a fun shape using a knife. This trick works for other items as well: Cut vegetables like carrots, cucumber, and zucchini into fun shapes. Turn watermelon and cantaloupe into bite-sized flowers and stars.Think small serving sizesBig portions can be intimidating for little tummies and fingers. Aim to pack only as much of the foods as your child typically eats.More tends to be intimidating rather than inviting. Pack items in small quantities, but consistently check in with your child and ask what they like. This will help you figure out what they might want more or less of.If you put in a whole apple, make it a small-sized one that'll be easier for small hands and mouths to eat, or cut up the apple into slices. Peel oranges and put them into reusable bags or cut up a banana and mix it with blueberries and other fruit to make a healthy fruit salad.Don't overpackIt may be tempting to overstuff your child's lunchbox with a big sandwich, full-size yogurt, several snacks, and a big cup of fruit. Young elementary-school (and older) kids are often too busy chatting with pals to eat so many items at lunch, however, and most don't eat huge meals in one sitting in any setting.Think about how much your child eats at home and pack accordingly. If they tend to graze, don't expect them to eat a giant lunch at school.Use a bento box
Parents / Zackary Angeline
Lunch gets more fun when it's divided into bite-sized portions. Dipping sauces or items to stack together into customized bites are also usually a hit. You can purchase a bento box-style container or make compartments in a more traditional lunch box by using reusable silicone cupcake liners or other small cups and containers.Consider serving hummus or another yummy dip with veggies, feta cheese, and pita. You can also put rice, chicken, veggie slices, soy sauce, and seaweed in containers for make-your-own "sushi" or as an appetizing rice bowl. Alternatively, add black beans, cheese, salsa, and a tortilla and let your child build their own burrito.Don't abruptly introduce new foodsVariety is good, but the school lunchbox isn't the time to try out a new recipe or food that your child isn't familiar with. Dinner is a better opportunity to encourage kids to try something new because you're there to eat it with them and talk about it.However, if there are any foods your child loves but rarely gets, such as cut-up mango or seaweed snacks, do aim to send those to school when possible as a special treat.You want to continue to encourage your child to try new foods—just don't have unfamiliar meals show up for the first time in their lunchbox.Add flavor with fruitUse fruit to add a sweet touch to your child's lunch. Jazz up water with some cut up fruit or give them grapes to go with cheddar cheese and multigrain bread.If you do include sweets in your child's lunch, it's important to allow them to eat their foods in any order they want. Don't use certain foods as a bribe to get them to eat others first.Use those leftoversSend your child's favorite dinners to school. If you had spaghetti and meatballs, pizza, roasted chicken, or enchiladas a night or two before, the leftovers can be a great addition to a school lunch.Add some string cheese, broccoli bites, plus other favorite veggies, and you have a nutritious lunch that your child is likely to eat.
How To Keep Food ColdKeeping foods at the proper temperature is especially important with leftovers. An insulated thermos preheated with boiling water works well for hot dishes, and a simple ice pack can keep dairy foods and other chilled meals cold until lunchtime.
Related: 25 Sweet Lunch Box Note Ideas That Will Make Your Kid Smile
Creative Lunch IdeasCheck out these ideas for kids' lunch inspiration.Ginger asparagus chicken stir fry
Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD
Chicken, asparagus, and rice make a tasty, nutritious meal for your kid's lunch. Simple chicken and rice gets a boost with ginger and garlic. Even better, it all comes together in one large skillet. Customize it by adding in your child's favorite veggies such as carrots, zucchini, or bok choy.Baked tofu noodle bowl
Patsy Catsos, MS, RDN, LD
This satisfying fiber and protein-packed noodle, baked tofu, and veggie bowl will fill your child's tummy and super-charge their energy for the rest of the day. The tofu and veggies combine with a sauce of sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and rice vinegar.Sesame coleslaw with teriyaki chicken
Patsy Catsos, MS, RDN, LD
Crunchy cabbage and carrots combine with a tangy dressing and teriyaki chicken to create a delicious, satisfying coleslaw. This hearty salad provides a variety of flavors and textures while hitting all the key components of a healthy meal.Potato, leek, and white bean soup
Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD
Send the comfort of soup to school with your child. Potato soup is loved by many kids. Add even more nutrition by adding white beans. And add flavor with smoky bacon.Chopped salad with garlic-ginger chicken
Parents / Rachael Hartley, RD, LD, CDE
This flavorful salad delivers a rainbow of crunchy veggies paired with flavor-packed grilled garlic-ginger chicken. A soy-lime dressing adds a good punch of flavor.Vietnamese vermicelli with chili sauce and pork
Patsy Catsos, MS, RDN, LD
Pork, rice noodles, and crunchy veggies combine for a satisfying meal. This sweet, salty, sour, and spicy goodness is great at room temperature (although you should still use an ice pack in the lunch box to keep it fresh before lunch time) and can be used a for a few lunches (pack yourself some too). Plus, if you enlist your little chopper to help, you can significantly cut down on prep time.Spinach and feta oatmeal bowl
Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD
This creative take on oatmeal turns the breakfast staple into an inspired lunch by adding in a fried egg, spinach, and feta. All the food groups are represented to ensure your child is getting all the nutrients and energy they need. Plus, breakfast for lunch might be just the draw your child needs to dig in. For more Parents news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Parents.
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