5 Fresh and Fun Lunch Box Ideas to Try
We’re a few months into the school year and the lunchboxes might be getting a bit stale. Try some of these fresh and fun lunch box ideas that are nutritionally balanced, kid-friendly, and don’t require much prep at all. Here are some favorites from a new series called Super Simple Lunch Box, I’ve been sharing new ideas each Monday. At our house, we make a new lunch each week, but eat it all week – or until we run out of ingredients!
1. The Italian
This lunch is a simple, but oh-so delicious combination of foccacia bread, salami wrapped cheese, carrots, grapes, and pea crisps. Make the foccacia from scratch or buy it from your local market. You could also swap breadsticks for foccacia if you have trouble finding it.
2. Onigiri (Rice Balls)
This meal takes a bit of planning, but is a big hit at our house. You can add fillings like flaked salmon if you like. Serve with a rolled omelette, edamame, apple slices, pretzels, and a piece of candy. If you want more details and instructions, this onigiri post has it all for you.
3. Bean & Cheese Burritos
This is a favorite meal at our house and I love that it’s super filling for them – in case it’s all they eat that day! Some days our lunch boxes come home empty, and some days our lunch boxes come home full. ???????? (Anyone else?) I’ve used my refried black beans but feel free to use canned refried beans if you prefer.
4. Pizza Bagels
So the initial idea was to make homemade pizza bagels, but then my kids begged me to get the mini frozen ones, so I obliged. Served with lettuce and Caesar or Italian dressing, grapes, pretzels, and a cookie.
5. Ham & Pickle Roll-Ups
Ham and pickle roll-ups are a Midwest that is served with apple slices, broccoli and ranch, buns with butter, cheeze crackers, and a piece of candy. You could also swap the ham for deli turkey or pastrami (this one is popular at the Minnesota State Fair!).
