40+ Yummy Lunch Ideas for Back to School

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So back to school is right around the corner and that usually means school supplies, uniforms, and figuring out some lunch ideas for school. If the idea of that last task gives you a mild sense of panic, don’t worry!

In my list, I have over 40 lunch ideas to help make back to school a breeze. With this list, you will have plenty of options all year long.

I have listed different types of “main dishes” you can pack. Under each category, I have put a few options to help mix things up. If you pair any of these lunch ideas with some fruits and vegetables you will have a healthy lunch to send off with your kids.

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Lunch Ideas for Back to School

Quesadillas

Quesadillas can be served cold or hot. If you are going to serve them hot, heat them up in the morning and then wrap them in tin foil. They should still be warm and tasty by lunchtime. You can try rolling them up and cutting them into bite-size pieces to fit better into your child’s lunchbox.

Here are some ideas for different types of quesadillas:

• Cheese
• Chicken
• Bean
• Refried Beans

Sandwiches

Sandwiches are an easy staple for school lunches. Here are some ideas that will help you mix up your lunches so your kids don’t get bored.

• Ham and Cheese
• Turkey and Cheese
• Peanut Butter and Jelly
• Peanut Butter and Banana
• Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato
• Chicken Salad
• Tuna Fish
• Cream Cheese and Jelly

Salad

Salads are a great way to keep up the variety in your school lunches. You can add in whatever other vegetables your kids like as well as their favorite type of dressing. I recommend shredding the vegetables to make them easier to eat.

Here are some ideas for different salad bases:

• Iceberg Lettuce
• Romaine Lettuce
• Themed Salad Kits (you can find some examples here)
• Spinach

DIY Lunchables

Lunchables are incredibly convenient, but they are also super easy to make at home. You simply pack little cupcake liner size portions of each food group. For example, you could make one with turkey sandwich meat, cheese cubes, crackers, grapes, and carrots sticks. Super easy and kid-friendly. To see an example, check out Back to School DIY Lunchables at Glitter and Bubbles.

Wraps

Wraps are another great way to mix up your lunch ideas for school. You can use any of the same ideas that you would use for a sandwich, just in a tortilla. You can use whatever kind of tortillas that your family likes. My kids will happily eat wheat tortillas, which is another way to add in some whole grains.

Here are some wrap ideas:

• Ham and Cheese
• Turkey and Cheese
• Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato
• Grilled Chicken and Ranch,
• Peanut Butter and Banana

Bagel Sandwiches

Like wraps, bagel sandwiches help you take a traditional idea and mix it up a little. You can use mini bagels, or simply cut a traditional bagel in half to make it more kid-sized. Feel free to mix up the types of bagels you use for even more variety.

Here are some bagel sandwich ideas:

• Cream Cheese and Jelly
• Peanut Butter and Jelly
• Turkey and Cheese
• Ham and Cheese

Lunchbox Kabobs

Lunchbox kabobs are a fun way to mix up your school lunches. You simply take a skewer and slide cubes of meat, cheese, and other goodies onto them. My kids love the novelty of eating their meals off of a skewer. You can find a great Kid Friendly Kabob Recipe at Modern Mom Life.

Pizza

Pizza is a great lunch idea for school. I haven’t met a child yet that doesn’t love pizza. You can serve it cold or warm. If you serve it warm, heat it up in the morning and wrap it in tin foil. That way it will be nice and warm by lunchtime.

Here are some different pizza variations:

• Pizza slices
• Mini Pizzas
• Bagel Pizzas
• English Muffin Pizzas

Muffins

There is no reason that muffins should only be eaten during breakfast. Add them to your children’s lunch for a fun change of pace. You can make a big batch of muffins ahead of time and freeze them. Then you just pull them out the day you need them. Click the links below to see the recipes for each type of muffin.

• Easy Banana Muffins from Life as Mama Bear
• The Best Blueberry Muffins Homemade from Easy .recipes
• Pancake Muffins from Savory Experiments
• Whole Wheat Apple Cinnamon Muffins from Sally’s Baking Addiction

Oatmeal Bars

Oatmeal bars are another great addition to your lunch ideas for school. They are easy to make ahead of time. Then you freeze them in individual portions. You can simply pull them out while still frozen and put them into your kid’s lunchbox. They should be thawed and ready to go by lunchtime. Click the links for the recipes to these yummy oatmeal bars.

• No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars from Far From Normal
• Applesauce Oat Bars from Beyond the Chicken Coop
• Soft-Baked Banana Oatmeal Bars from Five Heart Home
• Mixed Berry Baked Oatmeal Bars from Dessert for Two

Conclusion

So there you have over 40 yummy lunch ideas for back to school. You can pick items off this list and make sure your kids never get bored with lunch. These ideas also work great to serve your kids at home as well.

Feel free to share any of your favorite ideas from the list as well as any other ones your kids love. You can comment below or email me at Candice@littlestepsbighappy.com. For more kid-friendly meals, follow me on Pinterest here. 

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