Back-to-school season always hits me like a ton of bricks.
One minute we’re enjoying summer popsicles and the next I’m frantically searching for missing water bottles at 7am while yelling “WE’RE GOING TO BE LATE!”
Lunch packing is definately my least favorite part of the school routine.
My twins now thinks everything I make is “embarrassing” (she actually asked me to stop using cute napkins), and my daughter comes home with half her food uneaten.
I spent last weekend actually planning some new lunch ideas instead of just throwing in the usual stuff.
Even tested a few on the weekend to see if they’d fly.
Thought I’d share what’s working for us so far this year!
Nothing fancy or Instagram worthy, just real food my actual kids will eat without complaining (most days).
Great Back to School Lunches that Any Kid Will Eat
If you’re looking for some fresh ideas that might actually get eaten, here’s what’s working at our house this year.
Nothing complicated because who has time for that between soccer practice and homework battles?
Just real lunch ideas that real kids might actually eat.
1. Breakfast for Lunch
My son goes crazy for pancake sandwiches!
I make extra pancakes on the weekend, spread WOWbutter between two small ones and pack with some berries.
Sometimes I use a cookie cutter to make them fun shapes but honestly most mornings I’m just trying not to burn them.
2. DIY Lunchables
Store bought ones are expensive and full of who knows what.
I picked up some divided containers from Target and let the kids build their own with crackers, cheese cubes, turkey or ham, and some grapes.
My daughter loves these because she’s going through a “don’t let foods touch” phase.
3. Thermos Pasta
Leftover pasta is a lifesaver!
Just heat it up in the morning and put in a thermos.
My son likes it with butter and parmesan, the other prefers marinara.
Sometimes I throw in some frozen peas that cook by lunchtime. Easy peasy!
4. Breakfast Burritos
These are a hit with the twins.
I make a batch on Sunday with scrambled eggs, a little cheese and wrap them up. You can freeze them and grab one in the morning.
Warm it slightly before wrapping in foil. Send with a little container of salsa if your kid isn’t weird about “wet” foods like mine are.
5. Waffle Sandwiches
Frozen waffles make the best sandwich bread!
Toast them lightly then fill with WOWbutter and banana or cream cheese and jam.
My twins love helping make these the night before. Cut in quarters for easier eating.
6. Snack Plate Lunch
Sometimes the simplest things work best.
A bunch of snacky items together counts as lunch in my book!
Hard boiled egg, cheese stick, crackers, veggies with ranch, and some fruit.
The twins love the variety and I love how quick it is to throw together.
7. Cold Noodle Salad
Cold pasta with a little italian dressing, some cubed cheese, cherry tomatoes and cucumber.
I make a big batch on Sunday and it lasts a couple days.
8. Quesadilla Triangles
These are so easy!
Just cheese in a tortilla, fold and cook in a pan until melty. Cut into triangles and they’re still pretty good cold.
Pack with some carrot sticks and fruit.
9. Muffin “Tin” Meals
I use our silicone muffin cups inside their lunchboxes to separate little portions of different foods.
Ranch dip in one, carrots in another, crackers, cheese, pepperoni, fruit, etc.
The twins like the rainbow of choices and I like not having to think too hard.
10. Banana Dog
This was something my mom made me and now my kids love it too!
Take a hotdog bun, spread WOWbutter inside, and put a peeled banana in it.
Drizzle with a little honey if you’re feeling fancy. Weird but delicious and filling.
11. Mini Pizza Bagels
These are so much better than the frozen kind!
Split mini bagels, add a spoonful of pizza sauce and sprinkle with cheese.
Bake for a few minutes until melty then cool completely before packing.
My daughter loves when I let her make her own “pizza face” with olive eyes and pepper smiles.
Definately best at room temp – they get soggy if still warm when packed.
12. Cream Cheese Roll-Ups
Take a tortilla, spread with cream cheese, add thin slices of cucumber or bell pepper, roll up tight and slice into pinwheels.
My duaghter will actually eat these which is saying something!
Sometimes I use flavored cream cheese to mix it up. The ranch one is surprisingly good with turkey.
13. Taco Cup Salad
Remember those baked tortilla bowls we used to get at restaurants?
I make a simplified version using muffin tins to shape tortillas.
Fill with cold taco meat, lettuce, and cheese.
Send a little container of mild salsa if your kid likes it.
14. Breakfast Cookies
Don’t let the name fool you – these are healthy!
Oats, mashed banana, WOWbutter and a few chocolate chips mixed together and baked.
Filling and my kids think they’re getting dessert for lunch.
Pack with a yogurt and some fruit and call it good.
15. Cold Fried Rice
Leftover fried rice from takeout or homemade is actually really good cold!
I make a big batch with lots of scrambled egg and peas.
Sometimes I add diced ham if we have it.
Pack in a thermos and it stays fresh till lunch. My son loves eating it with those little kid-friendly chopsticks.
16. Homemade “Uncrustables”
Those pre-made frozen PB&J sandwiches are so expensive but my kids beg for them.
I got one of those sandwich sealers last year and its been a game changer!
Make a bunch on Sunday, freeze them, and grab one each morning.
They defrost by lunchtime and nothing leaks. My husband even takes these to his construction sites sometimes!
17. Meatball Sliders
Leftover meatballs (or frozen ones heated up) on little dinner rolls make the cutest mini sandwiches.
Add a little sauce if your kid doesn’t mind messy.
18. Deli Roll-Ups
Skip the bread altogether! Roll slices of turkey or ham around cheese sticks, add a pickle in the middle if your kid likes them.
Secure with a toothpick or just pack them tight in the container.
High protein and my carb-avoiding tween approves. I wish I’d known about these when the twins were smaller and going through picky phases.
19. Rice Ball Onigiri
My kids got obsessed with these after watching some anime show.
Basically just sticky rice formed into triangles or balls with something in the middle (tuna, chicken, etc).
Wrap partially in seaweed if your kids aren’t seaweed-phobic like my son. They look impressive but are actually super easy to make!
20. Rainbow Pasta Salad
Colorful pasta (we use the vegetable kind with different colors) mixed with italian dressing and whatever veggies I can sneak in.
The trick is cutting everything REALLY small.
Bell peppers, cucumber, cherry tomatoes all diced tiny. My daughter one calls it confetti pasta and actually eats her vegetables this way!
21. Breakfast Yogurt Sundae
Plain yogurt gets boring but make it into a “sundae” and suddenly its exciting!
Pack yogurt with separate containers of toppings like granola, berries, a few chocolate chips, and a drizzle of honey.
My twins love assembling their own at lunchtime.
It’s Time for Back to School
There ya go! These creative back to school lunch will surely be a hit in your home!
I hope you find these easy to make for your busy days!
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