Healthy lunches are made with wholesome, whole foods full of nutrients our bodies need. Creating healthy lunches that your kids will love doesn't have to be difficult or frustrating. These healthy lunch box ideas are sure to be kid-friendly favorites!
Packing healthy lunches for your kids doesn't have to be a daunting task! There are a lot of healthy options that are nutritious AND tasty that kids will enjoy. Children tend to be visual eaters, so making food attractive and fun is a great way to encourage them to try new things. You don't have to invest in expensive bento boxes or food cutters, although they do have some cool ones out there if you're willing to splurge.
I use a few different BPA-free, dishwasher safe lunch containers that I found at Marshalls and TJ Maxx. I also found some Disney themed BPA-free containers at the Dollar store. My daughter loves those and they were really cheap! I used a small biscuit cutter to make the mini whole-grain ham and cheese sandwiches. You can always improvise with what you have in the kitchen. Cookie cutters also work great for making fun shapes out of cheese and bread.
How To Pack Healthy Lunches For Kids
Leftover soups, casseroles, whole grain pasta with marinara and chili are great options for hot lunches. As well as, salads with good dressing choices. You can make homemade "Lunchables" with fun cookie cutters, whole grain crackers, cheese, and low-sodium deli meat. If your kids have a favorite clean-eating lunch, please comment below. I would love to read your ideas and inspiration!
Mini ham and cheese sandwiches made from whole grain bagel thins, sliced carrots, hummus, and fruit salad.
Peanut butter (use any nut butter), banana and honey sandwich on a whole grain bagel thin, cheese stick, a clementine, sliced carrots, and cherry tomatoes.
Turkey, spinach, and cheese roll-up sandwich made with a whole grain tortilla, Back to Nature crispy cheddar crackers, sliced carrots and cherry tomatoes and natural fruit leather.
Ham and cheese roll-up sandwich with whole-grain blue corn chips, organic salsa, a clementine, and grapes.
Healthy lunch Idea for the vegetarian:
Vanilla or plain Greek yogurt, fruit kabobs, cheese stick, and sliced carrots.
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DB-The+Foodie+Stuntman+@+Crazy+Foodie+Stunts
YAY! Congratulations on your first #SundaySupper post! I like the different suggestions you've compiled here. Very creative!
Amee Livingston
Thank you DB! I'm so happy to be a part of this great group!!
Lisa
Amy, it's so true that presentation makes a difference. When I ask my kids if they want some veggies with dip, they say no, but if I arrange everything on a platter in a fun way, they dive right in. Thanks for the great, fun ideas for how to pack a healthy lunch! Lisa
Amee Livingston
You bet Lisa! Thanks for the feedback! It's all about the presentation. 🙂
Liz
Amee, I'm SO glad you've joined the SS team! And what a magnificent collection of back to school lunch ideas! Your daughter must love opening her lunch box 🙂
Amee Livingston
Thank you so much Liz! I love being a part of this great team!! 🙂
Betsy @ Desserts Required
Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Mo! I wish I had lunch boxes filled with these kinds of goodies when I was a kid. 🙂
Amee Livingston
My mom used to pack me healthy lunches when I was a kid. I remember wanting my friend's white bread sandwiches and Little Debbie's, lol! I'm so glad she raised me to eat right, because it eventually soaked in! 🙂
Marion@Life Tastes Good
What great lunch ideas! I love how healthy they are and look so goood! These would definitely be a hit with the kiddos! Thanks for sharing!
Amee Livingston
You bet Marion! Thanks for the kind words!
Nichole
These all look so fun, and good for adults too!
Amee Livingston
Thank you Nichole!
Tara
Love the smaller sandwich ideas as my daughter has braces and finds it so hard with a big sandwich. I am trying these for sure!!
Amee Livingston
Little things are just cute and more fun, too 🙂
Tammi @Momma's Meals
Peanut Butter and Banana's how could I forget that one??! Great idea! I love the fruit sticks on the toothpick too my daughter loves those! Loving these ideas!
Amee Livingston
Thank you Tammi!
Christy @ Confessions of a Culinary Diva
I don't have kids at home, but if I did this would be the kind of lunch I would make for them. Great suggestions, and beautiful presentation. Makes healthy eating fun for kids!
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
Good job! And Lisa's comment is spot on, too. I hope moms will be inspired to pack wholesome lunches for their kids AND get the kids involved in the project as well.
Amee Livingston
Thank you so much Jean! 🙂
Sherron+Watson
I love this post. I am always trying to encourage my friends to pack healthy lunches and they don't know what that means. I think pictures are wonderful in showing people what you mean. Great post!
Shannon R
What cute ideas! They look so appealing, I can even see them actually getting eaten *gasp*!
KC Kahn the Kitchen Chopper
Amee, thanks so much for being our 200th link at #theWeekendSocial. I filled in with likes and follows where I wasn't. Nice to completely connect with you! 🙂 theKitchenChopper.com
Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily
I'm always struggling for healthy, non-sandwich lunch box ideas. Thanks so much for sharing your ideas and for joining Sunday Supper! Pinned and Shared ;}
Katie
So many great ideas - loving it!!!
Shaina
These are all such great lunch ideas. I love how colorful everything is! That is definitely the way to get kids to eat good food — make it pretty!
Cindys+Recipes+and+Writings
Great clean eating ideas Amee!
Amee Livingston
Thank you Cindy! 🙂