What’s In Your Kid’s Lunchbox? Try These Trendy, Healthy Swaps

Back to school is right around the corner, and with it comes planning your child's lunches. You can undoubtedly opt for the hot school lunch option. For some families, packing a lunch for their child is the best or only option. Yet, eating a sandwich every single day can quickly become old.

Now you have the age-old question: ‘What should I put in my child's lunchbox?' If you find yourself stuck in the mundane of lunch planning, you're in luck. Take a look at these healthy, nutritious kids' lunchbox ideas that your children will love.

What's in Your Kid's Lunch Box? Does it Matter?

Deciding to pack your child's lunch every day is the easy part. You know you want to provide your child with healthy and nutritious foods. However, figuring out exactly what to put in your kid's lunchbox can feel overwhelming, especially when there are so many easy yet unhealthy options available. That's where these nutritious kids' lunchbox ideas come in handy.

Finding Healthy Alternatives

Instead of grabbing pre-packaged chips and processed granola bars, scroll through this list to find nutritious and healthy alternatives to pack in your child's lunch.

Tips For Packing Your Kids' Lunch Every Day

Packing your child's lunch every day can quickly become tedious. To keep it exciting for them and easy for you, here are some simple tips to follow:

• Create a lunch menu list that includes a variety of choices.
• Let your child be involved in helping choose their lunch (within reason).
• Select a fun lunch box that your child enjoys opening.
• Add in fun and creative accessories or little notes.
• Plan and pack their lunch ahead of time.

Trendy and Healthy Lunch Box Ideas

Are you ready to explore some trendy and nutritious kids' lunchbox ideas? These ideas encompass classic choices, and some come with a fun twist. You can take these lunches as far as you want and make them as creative as you can get. The world is your oyster when it comes to fun lunch ideas for your kids!

Turkey Roll-Ups

Liven up boring sandwiches by making turkey roll-ups. Add any cheese and wrap with a tortilla. The turkey and cheese can also be served separately. To hold it together after rolling it up, stick one or two toothpicks in it. Just make sure that your child is old enough to remove them!

Egg Salad

Egg salad is relatively easy to make and can be versatile. All you need is six to eight hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard. Chop or mash the eggs, then mix them with the mayonnaise and mustard. You can add ingredients like pickle relish or Worcestershire sauce, depending on your child's preference. Egg salad can be added to a sandwich or eaten on its own.

Egg Muffins

Another versatile lunch idea is egg muffins. You can add peppers, cheese, onions, and more to these yummy bite-sized muffins.

Rotisserie Chicken Salad

Grab a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and whip up a yummy chicken salad. It's simple to make and also delicious.

Hummus Sandwich

Does your child love hummus? Whip up some tasty hummus, or buy it from the store. Spread it on whole wheat bread to create a delicious sandwich your child will look forward to eating.

Chicken Quesadilla

A chicken quesadilla can be made with rotisserie chicken, baked, or frozen chicken. Keep it simple by adding chicken and cheese into the tortilla, or spice it up with veggies. This quick and easy lunch idea can be made in the morning and eaten at room temperature.

BLT Pasta Salad

Create a delicious pasta salad and add in bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes for a unique take on a BLT.

Cheese and Crackers

Choose healthy, whole-wheat crackers and cubed cheese that are easy for little ones to pick up.

Hard Boiled Eggs

Boil some eggs the night before, stick them in the fridge, and now you have a simple and easy healthy lunch. Leave them whole or cut them into wedges for easy finger foods.

Homemade Lunchables

Lunchables are a fun and easy lunch idea, but the store-bought ones can be packed with preservatives. Create your own by adding your preferred choices of protein, dairy, crackers, and a sweet treat.

Fruit Skewers and Yogurt

Does your child love fruit? Make their lunch fun and festive by creating a fruit skewer. Add a side of yogurt for dipping.

Peanut Butter and Banana Roll Ups

There's just something about the combo of peanut butter and bananas. Create a tasty and healthy roll-up by spreading peanut butter onto a tortilla, adding a banana, and rolling the tortilla up. It's so much better than the average peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Vegetable Burritos

Forget the meat, especially if you find yourself constantly fighting your child to eat it. Chop up their favorite vegetables, such as peppers and onions, and then add them to a tortilla for a quick and easy burrito. You can even take it a step further and cook the vegetables until they are soft.

Pizza Kabobs

A fun take on pizza, the pizza kabobs are a unique lunch idea for your kiddos. All you need are pre-made pizza crust, pepperoni, mozzarella balls, and basil. Add each ingredient to the kabob sticks, making a pattern, and serve with marinara sauce.

Nut Butter Sandwich

Nut butter is a healthy choice because it contains fiber, protein, and a variety of vitamins and minerals that both children and adults need. Keep it simple by adding the nut butter to a sandwich with jelly, or use sandwich cutters to create a cute and fun lunch for your kids.

De Constructed Tacos

Add the ingredients for tacos to your child's lunch box, but instead of putting it all together, keep it ‘deconstructed.” This lets your child eat each of the ingredients one at a time (this is great if you have a picky eater). They can also create their tacos once lunchtime comes around.

BBQ Chicken Cubes

Make these BBQ chicken cubes the day before and add them to your child's lunchbox. Place the chicken in the crockpot with BBQ sauce and cook until thoroughly cooked. Cut into cubes, and now you have a tasty and bite-sized lunch.

Turkey Club Sandwich

The classic turkey club sandwich is both delicious and versatile. Put it together the night before to save time in the morning.

Protein Box

A protein box is a trendy alternative to traditional lunch boxes for kids. Put together a variety of protein-packed foods that will give your child fuel during the day. Add cheese, eggs, vegetables, crackers, and any other ingredients that your child will love.  

Sandwich Kabobs

Sandwich kabobs are also versatile and offer a unique twist on the classic sandwich. Add your child's favorite sandwich ingredients to the kabob sticks. Using toasted bread, cubed meats, and cheese can make it easier to put together and more appealing for kids to eat.

Breakfast Box

The breakfast box is similar to a protein box. Add in muffins, eggs, bacon, sausage, and any other breakfast foods that your child loves to eat. Another take on this trendy concept would be a rainbow box, featuring all the colors of the rainbow in the form of healthy food choices.

Tuna Pita Sandwich

Pita bread is an excellent alternative to regular sandwich bread. Use tuna and mayonnaise to create a simple yet tasty and healthy pita sandwich.

Granola, Berries, and Yogurt

Do your kids love parfaits? Pack them a tasty treat for lunch with yogurt, granola, and their choice of berries. These parfaits taste so good, your kids won't realize just how healthy it is for them.

Chicken Ranch Wrap

If your child is anything like mine, they can down an entire bottle of ranch dressing. This option includes two favorites, chicken and ranch, and wraps them up nicely in a healthy wrap.

Healthy Side and Snack Idea

When creating your child's lunch boxes, don't forget to include healthy sides and snacks. These can consist of vegetables that provide just the perfect amount of crunch, such as celery, bell peppers, and broccoli. Juicy fruits like watermelon and berries make a tasty treat. Add some cute decorations or notes to add an element of fun to your child's lunch and something for them to look forward to during their day.

One Last Note

Home-packed lunches don't have to be boring. You can make your child's day special by whipping up a delicious, quick, and nutritious meal. Give your child an exciting lunch to look forward to every day, without spending hours preparing it.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Ekaterina Markelova/Shutterstock.com