20 Non-Sandwich School Lunch Ideas for Kids!

Keely McGuire has put together a list of 20 school lunch ideas that don’t involve – sandwiches!

My mother made my lunch every school day when I was growing up. I have to admit, I only ate it a few times a week. I swapped my lunch for different items with other kids at school. Sometimes I’d trade my sandwich for chips, or my cookies for someone’s candy. I even traded my lunch money a few times!

Looking back, I can see that my mother was trying to give me a variety of foods to eat. She probably knew that I wasn’t eating my lunch every day, and that I was swapping it for less healthy options. In retrospect, I’m grateful for her efforts to ensure I had a balanced diet. It’s important for children to eat a variety of foods, so they can get all the nutrients they need to grow and thrive.

What a great list. Most of the lunches on the list are healthy (and I suspect allergen-free). This is a great resource and you should bookmark it! Bento-style lunch boxes have become so mainstream that compartmental lunches is an everyday thing now.

Go get the 20 non-sandwich lunch ideas (web archive version).

Here is a quick lunch time meal planner you can print off :

Week 1:

Monday: Turkey and cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread, baby carrots, apple slices, and a granola bar.

Tuesday: Hummus and veggie wrap, cherry tomatoes, grapes, and a yogurt cup.

Wednesday: Homemade chicken noodle soup, crackers, celery sticks with peanut butter, and a peach cup.

Thursday: Tuna salad on a whole wheat pita, cucumber slices, orange slices, and a trail mix.

Friday: Cheese and crackers, hard boiled egg, snap peas, apple sauce, and a fruit leather.

Week 2:

Monday: Peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole wheat bread, baby carrots, strawberries, and a string cheese.

Tuesday: Turkey and cheese roll-ups, sugar snap peas, blueberries, and a granola bar.

Wednesday: Whole wheat pasta salad with chicken, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes, mandarin oranges, and a chocolate pudding cup.

Thursday: Vegetarian chili, cornbread, carrot sticks, and a fruit cup.

Friday: Chicken salad lettuce wraps, red pepper slices, grapes, and a homemade oatmeal raisin cookie.

Week 3:

Monday: Ham and cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread, sugar snap peas, apple slices, and a yogurt cup.

Tuesday: Veggie and cream cheese bagel sandwich, cherry tomatoes, orange slices, and a fruit leather.

Wednesday: Homemade tomato soup, whole wheat crackers, cheese stick, and a trail mix.

Thursday: Quesadilla with chicken and cheese, guacamole, salsa, and grapes.

Friday: Cheese and crackers, hard boiled egg, baby carrots, and a peach cup.

Week 4:

Monday: Peanut butter and honey sandwich on whole wheat bread, cucumber slices, apple sauce, and a granola bar.

Tuesday: Turkey and cheese wrap, cherry tomatoes, trail mix, and a fruit cup.

Wednesday: Whole wheat pita stuffed with hummus, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes, red pepper slices, and a chocolate pudding cup.

Thursday: Chicken Caesar salad, whole wheat croutons, orange slices, and a yogurt cup.

Friday: Grilled cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread, baby carrots, grapes, and a homemade oatmeal raisin cookie.

These lunch ideas are nutritious, delicious, and easy to prepare. Mix and match to suit your child’s preferences and dietary needs. With this four-week plan, you’ll have a variety of lunch options that will keep your child satisfied and energized throughout the school day.