111 School Lunch Ideas

Dear Reader-

It is hard to believe, but in a short few days, Miss Add will be starting Kindergarten.

We have been preparing all week.

From purchasing school supplies, uniforms and lunchbox supplies for the days she goes to academy…

To preparing a space for her to work on the days she does her studies online at home. (Note: This image is the failed attempt of Mommy to put the desk together… Daddy required at this house for this assembly, Mommy is OVER it.)

And with all this prepping, it is becoming clear that life as we know it is about to change… significantly.

So, to prepare for one part of our new journey–lunches–, I re-read some posts from other moms that I recalled reading last year… Leah and Denise both had some wisdom to share that I appreciated.

Then I started jotting down a list of items I could have on hand to make lunches for Miss Add.

I figured if I had a list, I could easily pick a few things or have it on my phone the next time I go grocery shopping.

As my list grew and grew, I started thinking this might be a fun blog post.

Now none of this is rocket science or revolutionary… Moms have been making lunches since the beginning of time…

It is more to be a handy idea generator than anything else… with a few recipes tossed in for fun.

Fruits

Starting with the basics is always good ;). Miss Add loves her fruits so this is an easy one for us:

• Grapes
• Cherries
• Apple or Apple Slices
• Pineapple Chunks
• Banana
• Cantaloupe Chunks
• Watermelon Chunks
• Pear Slices
• Cinnamon Apples
• Applesauce
• Strawberries
• Kiwi
• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Cuties
• Raisins
• Plums
• Dried Apricots
• Dried Cherries, Blueberries or Cranberries
• Banana Chips
• Fruit Tacos
• Frozen Smoothies like our favorite Lowfat Strawberry Banana Smoothies (Going to try these Reusable Tubes).
• Fruit Cups
• Fruit Jello Cups
• Yogurt Covered Raisins/Cranberries
• Apple Slices and Caramel Dip
• Apple Slices and Peanut Butter Fruit Dip
• Fruit Snacks
• Homemade Fruit Leather or Store Bought

Veggies

Veggies are a bit more of a struggle with Miss Add. Now she will chow down on celery and broccoli, so I am going with my strengths here.

• Celery
• Ants on a Log
• Celery in a Peanut Butter Jar ( on a much smaller scale)
• Broccoli and Cheese Muffins
• Steamed Broccoli and Cheese in a thermos. Our recipe for broccoli and cheese is super simple. Steamable bag of broccoli divided into portions, add slice of cheese on top.
• Cherry Tomatoes with Ranch Dressing
• Sweet Bell Pepper Slices (Red, Yellow, Orange and Green)
• Cucumber Sticks or Slices
• Veggie Fruit Juice
• Pickles
• Carrot Sticks
• Guacamole and Chips
• Salsa and Chips
• Salt and Vinegar Baked Chips
• Low Fat Zucchini Bread

Meats and Dairy

Now I am not kidding myself that there will be times where a bologna and cheese sandwich and *gasp* Doritos will make their appearance and will fit the bill for the day just perfectly… just sayin’.

But here are a few more ways I am considering switching it up.

• Homemade Lunchables or Store Bought
• Homemade Chicken Nuggets or Store Bought
• Popcorn Shrimp
• Turkey and Cheese Pinwheels
• Ham and Cheese Wraps
• Ham and Cheese “Sushi Rolls”
• Shredded Rotisserie Chicken and Ketchup
• Cubed Grilled Chicken and BBQ Ranch Dip
• Pizza- Could be leftovers of one of the million ways we make it at home OR a fun make your own kit.
• Yogurt Cups
• Yogurt Tubes
• Yogurt Smoothies
• String Cheese
• Cheese Cubes
• Lunch Freezer Burritos
• Ham, Cheese and Egg Freezer Burritos
• Chicken and Dumplings in a thermos
• Sandwich Kabobs (on chopsticks instead of skewers)
• Spaghetti in a thermos
• Pigs in a Blanket
• Corn Dog Muffins and Ketchup
• Ham Cheese and Egg Cup
• Quiche Muffins
• Milk in a Thermos with Cereal
• Savory Pancakes with Pizza Sauce
• Homemade Mac and Cheese in  Thermos (or Store Bought)
• Cheese and Crackers
• Chili in a Thermos

Additional Ideas

• Pita Chips and Hummus
• Cheerios Trail Mix
• Chex Mix
• Popcorn
• Graham Crackers
• Peanut Butter Power Squares
• Peanut Butter and Jelly “Sushi Rolls”
• Trail Mix Cookie
• Fig Newtons
• Granola
• Peanut Butter and Banana Rollup
• Pudding Cups
• Mini Bagels and Cream Cheese
• Hard Boiled Eggs
• Honey Sticks
• Animal Crackers
• Fish Crackers
• Cheese Nips (we are sooo a Nips family)
• Cereal Bars
• Pretzels
• Mini Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
• Peachy Oatmeal Pancakes
• Freezer Waffles or Semi-Homemade Waffles made into Peanut Butter and Honey Sandwiches
• Pumpkin Pancakes with Pumpkin Dip
• Pasta Salad
• Almonds
• Note from Mom

Supplies for Average to Over the Top Lunches

While it will be fun to be uber creative from time to time, we need to be functional for the majority of the time 😉 Here are some cool internet finds for both the everyday and the extravagant.

• Lunch Blox– These fun snap together containers that let you snap the ice pack right on.
• Reusable Muffin Cups to keep things contained inside of bigger containers.
• Reusable Tubes for yogurts and frozen smoothies.
• Food Decorator Pens for when you are feeling creative.
• This affordable 101 Cookie Cutter Set has tons of large size cutters to make their next sandwich a lot of fun!
• Or go for the smaller cutters for cheeses and veggies

Whew… now THAT is what I call a list! That about wore me out… but I do feel better.

Plenty of ideas to draw from over the next year.

Did I miss any of your favorites?

Note: Affiliate links were used in this post. Mama’s gotta earn her milk money folks!