25 At Home Lunches for Kids
by Trish James
These at-home lunches can be made in batches ahead of time or with leftovers from dinner the night before – perfect for distance learning!
Back in March when schools went virtual and our dining room table became ground zero for learning, never did I think we’d be back in the same boat come fall.
Parents are making the impossible decision on whether to send their kids back into the classroom this school year or to continue learning at home. Many parents are also juggling a full-time job on top of trying to help their kids through technology issues, questions on assignments and the never-ending snack requests.
If this is you – we see you. We’re in the same boat and there is absolutely no judgment here for whatever your decision is for the upcoming school year.
One thing we continued to do when my boys went virtual in the spring was to pack lunchboxes the night before. They assembled their bento boxes with their favorites and into the fridge they went.
The next day, whenever my boys were ready for lunch they could simply pull out their bento box and enjoy – no help from mom required!
How do you #PowerYourLunchbox? Show us your healthy lunchboxes on Instagram using #PowerYourLunchbox.
Get all our Back To School Tips
Looking for more lunchbox solutions?
- Best Lunch Boxes For Kids
- 25+ Nut Free Lunchbox Ideas
- 34+ Non-Sandwich Lunchbox Ideas
- 10+ Ways To Add More Fruits & Veggies To Your Child’s Lunchbox
- Ultimate Guide For Packing Healthy Lunches
- 12+ Gluten-free Lunchbox Ideas
Chinese Mandarin Pasta Salad Bento Box
Classic Chinese chicken salad goes plant-based with this delicious vegan recipe packed with veggies.
Deconstructed BLT Bento Box
Kids will have fun constructing their very own BLT sandwich at lunchtime. Keeping each item in its own compartment keeps everything fresh until and avoids the dreaded soggy sandwich.
Chicken Bistro Box
Bistro boxes make lunches easy! This bistro box contains lean protein with grilled chicken, whole grains and fresh veggies like cucumbers and tomatoes plus Ranch for dipping.
Southwest Quiche Muffins Bento Box
These Southwest quiche muffins are a great meal prep recipe packed full of protein and veggies. Make a batch for easy breakfasts all week, or these fun breakfast theme bento boxes!
Black Bean Empanadas
These easy vegetarian black bean empanadas are perfect for throwing into a lunchbox with your kids’ favorite sides.
Wonton Taco Cups
Whether you’re celebrating Taco Tuesday or just need a fun lunchbox idea that kids can help make, these wonton taco cups are perfect!
DIY Nachos Lunchbox
Kids will love assembling this fun DIY Nachos lunch with black beans, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and guacamole!
Protein Power Lunchbox
Protein, fiber, healthy fats, and whole grains all combine for a nutritious and easy-to-assemble lunchbox!
Pizza Pasta Salad Lunchbox
All your favorite pizza toppings, but in a fun make-ahead pasta salad that’s perfect for lunchboxes!
Turkey Taco Salad Bento Box
Who says lunchboxes have to be complicated? Turn last night’s Taco Tuesday into a delicious taco salad for lunch the next day with your leftover taco meat.
Rainbow Veggie Wraps
Eat a rainbow with these rainbow veggie wraps! Packed with spinach, mini sweet peppers, carrots and beets with a drizzle of Ranch for a tasty lunch.
Easy Picnic Bento Box
Capture your favorite summer picnic in a bento box! Chicken salad gets a makeover by swapping Greek yogurt for the mayo and adding grapes.
Mac n Cheese Muffins
These Mac n’ Cheese Muffins are a healthy spin on a kid-favorite. Since they’re fun to eat and packed with flavor, kids won’t even know they’re filled with veggies!
Veggie Caesar Pasta Salad
When you know you'll be in a time crunch with lunchboxes during the week ahead, make a big batch of this Veggie Caesar Pasta Salad to last all week!
Mandarin Chicken Stir-fry with Green Beans
This Mandarin Chicken Stir-Fry is an easy go-to weeknight dinner and leftovers can easily be repurposed in a Thermos for stress-free lunch the next day.
Cheese & Bean Quesadilla Bento Box
These cheese and bean quesadillas are simple to prep and easy to add veggies like spinach, peppers or mushrooms.
Rainbow Bento Box
We all know the saying, “Eat a Rainbow!” and with this lunchbox, your kiddos will be!
Homemade Lunchables
These homemade lunchables pack 16g of protein to keep kids fueled throughout the day. They’re easy to assemble the night before school and fun for kids to eat.
One-Pot Cheeseburger Mac
Busy families often rely on the convenience of boxed hamburger meals, but you can get the same delicious meal in a much healthier way with this one-pot cheeseburger mac!
Smashed Chickpea Salad Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers
This smashed chickpea salad is a great plant-based alternative to serve as a sandwich, wrap or stuffed into these adorable mini sweet peppers!
Pizza Bagels Bites
Time for a pizza party! These homemade pizza bagel bites are so easy to make and only require 4 ingredients.
Savory Chicken & Rice Muffins
Turn a chicken & rice dinner into these lunchbox-friendly muffins! Make a big batch at the start of the week for easy snacks and lunchbox packing.
BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad
A bagged salad, leftover rotisserie chicken and a few other simple ingredients make for an easy salad.
Turkey Hummus Pinwheels
Trying to switch up your sandwich routine? Try rolling up your favorite sandwich toppings into a wrap and cutting into pinwheels!
Kid-Friendly Lunchbox Empanadas
These lunchbox-friendly empanadas are packed with lean ground beef, veggies and cheese for a meal kids won’t be able to resist!
