A grilled sandwich cut in half, placed on a brown paper plate on a blue surface.

Easy Lunch Ideas for Kids

Here are some easy lunch ideas for kids at home! A lot of these meals can come from simple pantry ingredients, too. These are our favorite recipes that get the job done at noon!


 

    Banana Nutella "Sushi"

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    Shila said:  Also a healthy after school snack idea, slice some ripe bananas into pieces. Roll the pieces in a bowl of slightly warmed Nutella, and then again over crushed nuts. Kids can eat these pieces as "sushi."

    Bagels and Cream Cheese

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    Shila said:  Serve plain bagels with plain cream cheese - that'll work just fine for a kid's lunch at home. However, keep in mind that bagels AND cream cheese come in dozens of additional flavors too! Asiago cheese, cinnamon, savory pretzel, strawberry, smoked salmon, chive and onion, etc.

    uploaded by Sarah Calamita

    Anything with a Cookie Cutter!

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    Sarah Calamita said:  Cookie cutters make any food more fun, even things you wouldn't think to cut! Find a shape they love - Disney Characters, hearts, stars, animals, flowers, holiday themed. Cut out fruit (melon, pineapple), veggies (carrot, cucumber), sandwiches, toast, omelet, pancake, cheese, meat.

    Pizza Bagels

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    Kristy Pepping said:  An easy go-to are pizza bagels. You can either use the mini bagels or the full-sized versions. Top with a bit of tomato sauce from a jar and the cheese of your choice. If your kids are more adventurous, add some veggies. Stick in the microwave until melted and enjoy!

    Soup

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    Kristy Pepping said:  There are so many soups on the market today. Everything from chicken noodle to vegetable to broccoli and cheddar. Plus, soup is generally fairly inexpensive so it won't break the weekly food budget. Pair it with some simple toast or some oyster crackers.

    Crescent Roll Ups

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    Kelly R said:  Separate a tube of crescent roll dough into triangles, and roll each triangle up around 1/2 slice of folded turkey breast lunchmeat and 1/4 slice of cheese. Place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes or until golden.

    Hummus and Dippers

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    Kelly R said:  Serve a scoop of hummus with cut veggies and pita chips or pita bread for dipping.

    allrecipes.com

    Dyed Hard Boiled Eggs

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    Shila said:  Dyed or not, a few hard-boiled eggs can be a nice main protein for a kid's lunch at home. By dying them in advance with simple food coloring, it just makes it more fun to look at and eat! As a parent, too, kids may be more encouraged to peel their own shells without your help. Serve with a side of bacon or even apples with peanut butter.

    From: Allrecipes

    Cereal

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    Kristy Pepping said:  Who says you can't have breakfast for lunch? Cereal or granola is a great option. Either pour it over milk or eat it by itself. There are several nutritious options on the market today that are full of daily fiber and other nutritious ingredients.

    Bagged Salad

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    Kristy Pepping said:  My tweens enjoy a salad either from a pre-made mixed bowl or salad bag. All the ingredients come within the packaging and some even come with a fork. Plus, if it's large enough, stick in the fridge and save the other half for the next day.

Primary photo:   Asnim Asnim on Unsplash

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