Looking for a little inspiration for the not-so-fun task of packing school lunches? These paleo bento boxes are simple and easy real food that kids will have fun eating. Scroll down for healthy school lunch ideas for kids for every day of the week.
Does anybody else just LOVE back-to-school season??? It is one of my favorite times of year! It feels even more like a fresh start than the beginning of the calendar year to me. Maybe because I like a fresh routine (or a good routine reboot) and that feels easier at the end of August than in the bleak midwinter when it’s so dark and grey. (Like, even the sky won’t cheer for you that you got up and worked out.)
Plus, I’m a teacher at heart and an eternal student. I like back-to-school because I like school! So, this year? 2020. Yeah, not a huge fan of how weird the back-to-school season is looking this year. Thankfully, my son’s school is in-person (he started Kindergarten!), and I’m really thankful for that. His school is just three, half-days each week (the perfect amount of Kindergarten, in my opinion), but he gets to stay for lunch and recess (the best part of the day, let’s just be honest here). So, I’m packing lunches!
Maybe this will revive my good intentions to pack a lunch for my husband the couple of days per week that he needs one…
So, naturally, this is fun because I like food, and I’m a big fan of quick, REAL food for the kiddos.
Little Foodies FAQs…
1. Where did you get that cute little box thing?
I think bento boxes are just the cutest things ever, but they’re not always practical for an adult lunch. (Just give me a giant tupperware for my ginormous lunch salad if I’m ever not eating it at home.) I think kids like the little compartments. Plus, a lot of kids like their foods all separated out, and the bento box could not make this any easier. I bought this one because I loved the five compartments (plus, stainless steel, not plastic!). You can also get ones with less compartments.
2. How do you get your kids to eat that?
Well, this is best started on day 1 of starting solids (I wrote a post about that here and then a follow up post here). We really enjoy food at our house, and we discuss our food a good bit. (Not just “this is good” or “this is bad,” but anywhere we enjoy or see room for improvement to taste or texture or even how flavors combine.) Plus, I involve the kids in cooking as well, and they always are more interested in anything they helped make. Also, fun factor. Fun food helps, too.
3. But we don’t do paleo.
I am totally not saying the only way to feed your kids is paleo! My kids do much better without gluten and dairy, and since I’ve gone much more paleo lately, it’s not too hard to bring them along in that. These are not prescriptive lunches (“the ONLY thing to feed your kids if you want them to be healthy and strong” blah, blah, blah)! They’re just my fun little ideas that will, hopefully, spark a little creativity into what can quickly become a mundane mom job otherwise. I’ll link to the brands and supplies I like in case you’d like them, too.
So here we go…
Healthy School Lunch Ideas for Kids
1. The Classic
For the kid who knows “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” This one is classic, but kicked up a notch with a few real food alternative sides.
- Almond Butter & Jelly on Gluten Free Bread
- Grapes
- Baby Carrots
- Chive Dairy-free Cream Cheese Dip
- Paleo Cookie (I make a version of these, but you can also try these for an easy alternative.)
2. The Protein Power Up
For the kid who is always hungry! Protein and fats FTW! This one feels rather classic, too, but it packs a bigger protein punch.
- Rotisserie Chicken and Guac on a Coconut Wrap
- Banana
- Cucumber Slices
- Chive Non-Dairy Cream Cheese Dip
- Almonds
3. The Hippie Dippie
I’ve gotta admit–this one is edgy! It’s also simple and easy. The muffin helps the sauerkraut and beets feel more manageable for the risk adverse.
- Rotisserie Chicken & Non-Dairy Ranch Dressing
- Pickled Beets
- Sauerkraut
- Paleo Muffin (try my banana bread recipe in muffin form)
- Clementines
4. The Brunch Box
For the kid who loves breakfast but can’t enjoy a leisurely breakfast on a school morning. Take the brunch to school! Lots of protein in this one, too, and some good fats to keep your little one full.
- Hard-boiled Eggs
- Gluten-free buttered toast
- Bacon
- Berries
- Bell Peppers
- Hummus or (Non-Dairy Ranch Dressing for a paleo option)
5. The “Snacky Lunch”
I guess I came up with this term for a light lunch of little nibbles. My oldest requests a “snacky lunch” on the regular. It doesn’t get easier than this.
- Beef Sticks (I get these all-beef meat sticks at Costco.)
- Almond Flour Crackers
- Pickles
- Apples
- Nut Butter
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