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Home Diet Kid Friendly

Six School Lunchbox Ideas

by: Lindsay Grimes
August 29, 2018 (Updated: January 14, 2025)
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Six School Lunchbox Ideas
As a new school year approaches, I’m sharing Six School Lunchbox Ideas that you can pack! All of these are kid approved and so simple to throw together!

Back to school is around the corner! We have one long weekend… one VERY LONG weekend… and then we have a first grader! I’m not always the best with my lunchbox game. I get into routines that I know the kids will like, so I enjoy making these kid meal posts because it forces me to get a bit creative with the kids meals.

I’d love your suggestions! Let me know in the comments below: what are some favorite lunchbox ideas that you pack for your kids? Check out my post HERE for all the Lunchbox essentials you can buy off amazon that will make packing lunches THAT much easier. If you want these plastic containers I’m using in this post, check them out on amazon HERE!!

ONE: Banana Sushi! This is a favorite that my kids always ask for! Spread peanut butter across your favorite wrap or tortilla. Roll a banana in it and cut into slices. I also packed a strawberry banana smoothie, cut up strawberries, and some almond flour cheddar crackers from Simple Mills.

TWO: Roll up some cheese and honey ham with a wrap, cut it up, and skewer little kabobs! My kids love it. They don’t love condiments, but you could totally add some mustard or mayo if you wish! Also packed a yogurt tube, some raspberries with 1 random strawberry, and some peanut butter filled pretzels that my kids are OBSESSED with.

THREE: Cracker sandwiches with cheese and pepperoni, a peeled clementine, string cheese, dried mango, and some carrots. This lunch unintentionally had an orangey/yellow theme and the only thing that came back were three carrots.

FOUR: One of my sons loves mini bagels with cream cheese and jelly. It’s so quick and easy to pack for him, so I always end up sending it along in his lunch at least once a week. I also packed a smoothie, some mini rice cakes, and grapes.

FIVE: Peanut butter and jelly star sandwich, anyone? I’m telling you, sandwich cutters totally transformed my lunchbox game. My one son suddenly likes sandwiches now that they come in fun shapes and I’m pretty happy about it. I also packed a z-bar (their FAVEEE), more strawberries, and some dried banana chips.

SIX: Mini peanut butter rice cake sandwiches that they were a little unsure of at first but ate every single one and told me they were thoroughly enjoyed. I also packed a yogurt tube, fresh mango cubes, and yogurt covered raisins. Guys, strawberry yogurt covered raisins are kinda like crack for kids.

Hope these lunchboxes give you some inspo as we come upon yet another school year. I always start off the year with high hopes and then ride this rollercoaster of lunchbox ambition and creativity followed by dips of lame lunchboxes. Good luck out there!! xo

This post contains an affiliate link which means if you purchase the containers I linked to, I’ll receive a small portion of the sale. Thanks so much for supporting The Toasted Pine Nut!!

As a new school year approaches, I'm sharing Six School Lunchbox Ideas that you can pack! All of these are kid approved and so simple to throw together! thetoastedpinenut.com #thetoastedpinenut #kid #kidapproved #school #schoollunch #lunchbox #ideas #kidmeals #kidlunch

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  1. AvatarLaura says

    Posted on 8/30/18 at 10:44 am

    These look awesome! I was wondering if you could share a link for the containers you used here?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      Posted on 8/30/18 at 11:25 am

      Hi Laura!

      These are the ones I use for the kids and LOVE: https://amzn.to/2MANIP7

      I also just updated the blog post linking to them 🙂 Happy Packing!!

      Reply
  2. AvatarHilmarie says

    Posted on 8/1/19 at 11:29 am

    Hi! What do you do to keep it cold? 

    Reply
    • Lindsay Grimes Freedman says

      Posted on 10/2/20 at 3:01 pm

      I have some cute little penguin ice packs that you can throw in their lunchboxes: https://amzn.to/3ip94KY

      Reply
  3. AvatarSarah says

    Posted on 1/10/21 at 2:06 pm

    Where do you live that you are allowed to send your kiddo with peanut butter to school?

    Reply
    • Lindsay Grimes Freedman says

      Posted on 1/10/21 at 7:33 pm

      I live in California and where I am, peanut butter is allowed. You can sub almond butter, sunbutter, whatever works for you guys! xo

      Reply
  4. Lacey says

    Posted on 8/14/23 at 8:23 am

    I love these ideas, but I’m curious how well they hold up out of the fridge? Will they still taste great sitting in a lunch box for 4+ hours? Does the fruit dry out and turn brown?

    Reply
    • Lindsay Grimes says

      Posted on 9/18/23 at 11:38 am

      The food and fruit is usually pretty good! For apples you can spritz on some lemon juice to prevent browning.

      Reply
  5. AvatarCarly says

    Posted on 9/10/23 at 10:18 am

    I have a picky eater that has the same lunch everyday, chicken fries and soft pretzel. He likes peanut butter but since his best friend is allergic I had to get creative. I love the mini bagel, jelly n cream cheese idea! I am definitely using all these ideas. I clicked on your link for the Tupperware but it was out of stock. But I did get an alternative brand. Great job!

    Reply
    • Lindsay Grimes says

      Posted on 9/18/23 at 11:29 am

      Thank you! It’s so tough when they’re in a picky stage. I’m so happy you got some new ideas 🙂

      Reply

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Lindsay

Nice to Meet You!

I’m Lindsay - cookbook author, blogger and chocolate lover! If gluten-free desserts are your jam, you’re in the right place! I live in south Jersey with my family and new puppy Roxie! Some of my favorite things are oat milk lattes, sunny days and warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies.

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