Healthy Back to School Lunchbox Ideas

dad packing lunch for kids


It may still be summer but back to school time is just around the corner. Where did the summer go? With the average school year lasting 180 days, a whole lot of lunches are about to be made. It's easy to fall into a lunchbox rut, especially if your child has their "favorites" and is selective (read: picky) in what they eat. But there's no reason it has to be the same lunch every day. You get tired of packing, and your child gets tired of eating the same old sandwich, veggie, fruit combination. If you are looking for something new, try these lunch ideas that can help you think outside of the box.

Packed with healthy nutrients for growing kids, this collection of snack bites to sandwich alternatives is perfect for smaller hands and big appetites. You are sure to find something in this list that you and your child will happily munch on.

Healthy Ramen With Sesame and Fresh Vegetables
Ditch the packaged college staple and boost the nutrition with healthier ingredients and fresh veggies with this ramen recipe.

PB&J Energy Bites
classic lunchbox staple in bite form. It's full of protein and energy for your little learners to stay focused all day long.

Easy Morning Glory Muffins
Homemade muffins are a great alternative to a sandwich, especially when packed with veggies. Made with fiber-filled oat flour, it's something your kid will enjoy and keep them focused on their school work. 

Peanut Butter and Banana Sushi
Don't worry, there's no raw fish packed in this sushi roll. What it is packed with is a healthy plant-based fat that could easily be swapped with a nut free spread if your child attends a nut-free school.

Vegan Cookie Dough Stuffed Peanut Butter Bites
There's no worries in eating this cookie dough! Gluten-free and protein-packed thanks to chickpeas, you'll feel good knowing your kid is eating something healthy. So go ahead, let them eat cookie dough.

Burrito Bowl Box
Plan for a week of healthy lunchbox ideas with meal planning by whipping up a batch of rice or quinoa, roasting sweet potatoes and chopping fresh peppers on the weekend. Then, all you need to do is open a can of black beans and presto! An easy burrito bowl box is ready to roll.

Yogurt Parfait Lunch Box
Let you kids build their own yogurt parfait simply by packing all the fixings they like—yogurt, granola and their favorite fruit. Super simple and delicious!

Boiled Egg Lunch Box
At the beginning of the week, boil up a big batch of eggs for lunches and snacks all week long. Place two in the kiddo's lunch along with crackers, veggies, fruit and a little sweet treat and you've got a well-rounded meal that they'll love.

READ THIS NEXT: 5 Warm Lunchbox Recipes That Are Better Than a Cold Sandwich

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