Make packing lunch WAY easier with these no-cook school lunch ideas. They work for little and big kids and can be adjusted and customized to suit the preferences of your child. Here’s to less stress about lunch!
School Lunch Ideas
After packing lunches for my kids for years, I can safely say that it can be an easy task if you keep things in perspective and keep things super simple. Kids tend to like simpler meals anyway, so these no-cook school lunch ideas are here to help you if you ever get into a rut, if you run out of ideas, or if you want to let your kids scroll through and see what looks yummy to them.
I have many recipes for lunch that are perfect for sending in a kids thermos or a kids lunch box, but I’m going to share 10 ideas here that require no cooking at all. These are great ideas to throw together at the last minute in the morning (because life happens and I realize that is when many of us are actually packing!) and to make when it feels like you’re running low on groceries.
(You may also like my tips on how to pack and store fresh apples, peanut-free snacks, school lunch recipes, toddler lunch ideas, and our go-to healthy snacks for kids including granola bars.)
Table of Contents
- School Lunch Ideas
- How to Make School Lunches, Step-By-Step
- School Lunch Idea #1: Cheese and Crackers
- No Cook Lunch #2: Bagel Sandwich
- Lunch Idea #3: Homemade Lunchables
- Easy Lunch #4: Tortilla Triangles
- School Lunch Idea #5: Yogurt and Granola
- Easy Kids Lunch #6: Simple Sandwich
- School Lunch #7: Freeze-Ahead PB&J
- Easy Kids Lunch #8: Snack Box
- Kids Lunch #9: Hummus and Crackers
- School Lunch Idea #10: Pancake Lunch
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Best Tips for Packing School Lunch
- 10 Easiest School Lunch Ideas (No-Cook) Recipe
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How to Make School Lunches, Step-By-Step
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when packing lunches for kids.
- Aim to include a mix of food groups so you have whole grains, protein, some dairy or a nondairy equivalent (most days), a veggie, a fruit, and a food with some healthy fat in it. But remember that there’s no perfect here and variation from day to day is OK. This will help kids to get the nutrients they need and stay full until their afternoon snack.
- Remember that lunch periods are short and kids might talk a lot. Pack foods that are easy to chew and eat.
- Work with your child to pack foods they like most of the time so you can feel reasonably confident they’ll eat the lunch you send.
- Pack the lunch in a lunch box in an insulated bag with an ice pack, if you can, to keep it cool until lunchtime.
- Add water or milk or plan to let the kiddo buy milk at school.
- Label anything reusable that they bring to lunch so it’s easy to find if they lose it at school.
TIP: If your child has a nut allergy, make sure you talk to the school about how that’s handled in the lunchroom. If there’s a peanut-free table, you may need to request that they have a friend sit with them so that they aren’t alone, which can sometimes happen.
School Lunch Idea #1: Cheese and Crackers
Combine whole grain crackers, pepperoni, and cheese with mango and snap peas (or a fruit and veggie of your choice) for an easy lunch. This is a nice alternative to a sandwich and you can pack it in minutes. (Make this gluten-free with gluten-free crackers as needed.)
TIP: Shown in an EasyLunchboxes container.
No Cook Lunch #2: Bagel Sandwich
Spread cream cheese and jam, turkey and cheese, hummus and lettuce, tuna salad, or sunflower seed butter and jam onto a lightly toasted bagel for a fun take on a sandwich. Add simple sides like cucumbers slices and mixed fruit to finish.
TIP: Shown in an EasyLunchboxes container.
Lunch Idea #3: Homemade Lunchables
Make whichever flavor of Lunchable the kids like with this more affordable method. Pack them in an Easy Lunches Snack Box for fun, yet quick-to-make lunches.
Easy Lunch #4: Tortilla Triangles
Fill a tortilla with sunflower seed butter and jam, bean dip, black beans and cheddar cheese, hummus, chicken salad, or turkey or ham and cheese; fold over and cut into triangles for an easy school lunch idea. Pack with simple sides such as a yogurt tube, grapes, cherry tomatoes, and bell pepper strips. (Halve grapes and cherry tomatoes for kids under 4.)
TIP: Shown in a PlanetBox lunch box.
School Lunch Idea #5: Yogurt and Granola
Pack breakfast for school lunch with Greek yogurt or regular-style yogurt, granola, and easy sides of fruit like strawberries or blueberries—or even a whole banana. We like to do this in our OmieBox since the round compartment is a thermos and keeps the yogurt cool.
TIP: Shown in an OmieBox Bento Box.
Easy Kids Lunch #6: Simple Sandwich
There’s nothing wrong with an easy lunch, and this sandwich is a great option. Use sunflower seed butter and jam or try Granola Butter, which is also nut-free and is super delicious. Pair with a fruit, veggie, and a fun food like cheese cracker sandwiches.
TIP: Shown in an EasyLunchboxes Snack Box.
School Lunch #7: Freeze-Ahead PB&J
I’ve often joked that I always found the idea of Uncrustables super silly…until I actually had kids and realized how convenient they are! You can do something similar yourself with rounds of bread cut with a cookie cutter. Wrap them in plastic before freezing a stash of sandwiches. Add cheese, kiwi, and crackers on the side for a kid-approved lunch.
TIP: Shown in an EasyLunchboxes Snack Box.
Easy Kids Lunch #8: Snack Box
This is our go-to lunch when it seems like we’re out of food, and the kids always love it. Simply choose a whole grain, a protein (like cheese, hard-cooked eggs, beans or peas, or meat), two items of produce, and combine it all in a kids lunch box. (You could also pop in a muffin if you have some baked.) Quick and easy!
TIP: Shown in an EasyLunchboxes container.
Kids Lunch #9: Hummus and Crackers
If your kids like to dip and dunk, try pairing crackers with homemade hummus (without tahini). Add extra protein with cheese cubes or slices and/or a yogurt tube and a side of fruit like watermelon, apple slices, or raspberries.
TIP: Shown in an EasyLunchboxes Snack Box.
School Lunch Idea #10: Pancake Lunch
Pair frozen pancakes (simply warm in the microwave, then cut up) with a drizzle of maple syrup or a smear of jam, nut butter, sunflower seed butter, or cream cheese. Use homemade leftover pancakes or store-bought ones (Kodiak makes some good ones)—or even try this with freezer waffles! Add applesauce, a veggie or two, and a side of milk.
TIP: Shown in an OmieBox Bento Box
Frequently Asked Questions
Pasta in a thermos, pasta salad, cheese and crackers, roll ups, pinwheels, burritos, quesadillas, and more are easy non-sandwich lunch ideas.
You can try sandwiches, roll-ups, wraps, yogurt and granola, leftovers in a thermos, smoothie in a reusable bottle, muffins with fruit on the side, chicken salad on a croissant, and more as easy lunches for kids.
Avoid nuts and peanuts as needed according to your school, try not to pack anything super messy or sticky, and we avoid foods the kids haven’t ever had before to ensure they like their lunch and have enough to eat.
Best Tips for Packing School Lunch
- Try to make sure the foods are easy for the kids to eat in the time they have for lunch. I’ll never forget hearing that my then-6-year-old couldn’t eat the baby carrots I sent with her because she didn’t have enough time to chew them!
- Talk to your child about whether there was too much, not enough, or just the right amount of food so you can avoid wasting food and satisfy their hunger.
- Invest in a good kids lunch box that will last (and be easy to clean!).
- Place the lunch box in an insulated bag with an ice pack to keep it cool.
- Pack water or let the kids buy milk.
- Aim to send a source of protein, a whole grain, and two items of produce (a fruit and a veggie) to help the kids hit their nutrition needs.
- Mix in purchased school lunches—if your kids like them!—with packed ones from home to keep the work for you light.
- You may also like DIY Pizza Lunchables, Lunch Snacks, Beginner’s Guide to School Lunch, Hot Lunch Ideas, and all of my kids lunch resources.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear about your kids’ favorite school lunches and any feedback if you try these ideas. Please comment below to share!
10 Easiest School Lunch Ideas (No-Cook)
Ingredients
Cheese and Crackers Lunch
- 1/2 cup whole grain crackers
- 1 ounce cheese
- 1 ounce pepperoni
- 1/2 cup diced mango
- 1/2 cup snap peas
Bagel Sandwich Lunch
- 1 mini whole grain bagel
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese, nut or seed butter, and/or jam
- 1/2 cup fruit salad
- 1/2 cup sliced cucumbers
Tortilla Triangles
- 1 medium tortilla
- 1 tablespoons bean dip, nut or seed butter and jam, or 1 ounce each turkey and cheese
- 1/2 cup grapes (halved for kids under 4)
- 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes and bell peppers strips
Yogurt and Granola Lunch
- 1/2 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
- 1/4 cup granola (remove whole nuts for kids under 4)
- 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes (halved if needed)
- 1/2 cup strawberries or kiwi
Simple Sandwich Lunch
- 1-2 slices whole grain bread
- 1-2 tablespoons nut or seed butter
- 1-2 tablespoons jam
- 1 clementine
- 1/4 cup cucumber sticks
Freeze-Ahead PB&J
- 2 slices whole grain bread
- 2 tablespoons nut or seed butter
- 2 tablespoons jam
- 1/2 cup kiwi
Snack Box Lunch
- 1 ounce salami
- 1 ounce cheese
- 1/2 cup snap pea crisps
- 1/2 cup berries
- 1/2 cup cucumber slices
Hummus and Crackers Lunch
- 1/4-1/2 cup crackers
- 2 tablespoons hummus
- 1 ounce cheese
- 1/2 cup watermelon chunks
- 1 yogurt tube
Pancake Lunch
- 1-2 pancakes
- 1 tablespoons maple syrup, jam, nut or seed butter, or cream cheese
- 1 applesauce pouch
- 1/4 cup carrot rounds
- 1/4 cup edamame
Instructions
- Cheese and Crackers Lunch: Place all foods into lunch box. Pack in an insulated bag with an ice pack.
- Bagel Sandwich Lunch: Lightly toast the bagel if desired (it's optional). Place all foods into lunch box. Pack in an insulated bag with an ice pack.
- Tortilla Triangles: Lightly warm the tortilla if it's super stiff. Place all foods into lunch box. Pack in an insulated bag with an ice pack.
- Yogurt and Granola Lunch: Place all foods into lunch box. Use a thermos or compartment or container that seals tightly to avoid any yogurt spills. Pack in an insulated bag with an ice pack.
- Simple Sandwich Lunch: Place all foods into lunch box. Pack in an insulated bag with an ice pack.
- Freeze-Ahead PB&J: Cut the bread with a 3-4-inch round cookie cutter. Spread the nut or seed butter and the jam onto the bread and wrap with plastic wrap. Make as many as you want and store in the freezer in a zip-top freezer storage bag for up to 3 months. Place one directly into a lunch box in the morning and it will thaw by lunch.
- Snack Box Lunch: Place all foods into lunch box. Pack in an insulated bag with an ice pack.
- Hummus and Crackers Lunch: Place all foods into lunch box. Pack in an insulated bag with an ice pack. You can freeze the yogurt tube to act as an extra ice pack and it will thaw by lunchtime.
- Pancake Lunch: Warm the pancakes for 30 seconds in the microwave and pack in a thermos to keep warm, or send them to eat at room temperature.
Notes
- Try to make sure the foods are easy for the kids to eat in the time they have for lunch. I’ll never forget hearing that my then-6-year-old couldn’t eat the baby carrots I sent with her because she didn’t have enough time to chew them!
- Talk to your child about whether there was too much, not enough, or just the right amount of food so you can avoid wasting food and satisfy their hunger.
- Let the kids help pack their lunches if they’re interested.
- Invest in a good lunch box that will last (and be easy to clean!).
- Place the lunch box in an insulated bag with an ice pack to keep it cool.
- Pack water or let the kids buy milk.
- Aim to send a source of protein, a whole grain, and two items of produce (a fruit and a veggie) to help the kids hit their nutrition needs.
- Mix in purchased school lunches—if your kids like them!—with packed ones from home to keep the work for you light.
Nutrition
This post was first published July 2020.
I came here to find some ideas for my 13 year old daughter. I liked what I saw
Came here looking for some inspiration for back to school. These are great ideas – thanks! Sure, my picky eater won’t eat some of these items, but the lunch ideas provide a great and healthy framework for me to sub in and out as needed. Thank you!!!!!
You mentioned above haveing your kid sit at a different table if they have a nut allergy, I know people who are allergic to certain nuts and can’t even be in the same room with them, myself I can’t be around bananas, the church that I was going to even told a lady to please leave out the bananas in her fruit salad, so she still makes it just with out the bananas
I can’t thank you enough for all these details! Love, love, love <3
These are fantastic ideas but my kindergarten stepdaughter literally only eats pb&j (which she can’t have at school) and mac n cheese. She will also eat grapes, corn, and carrots. I can’t even get her to try anything else. She can’t take Mac and cheese to school because it’s no good by lunchtime. I’m at a total loss as to what to pack for her. Hummus? Turkey? Mango? This is all preposterous in her eyes. Maybe I’ll just start packing her these things and hope she eats them because she’s hungry. Thanks for the great ideas anyway.
Do you have a thermos? You could pack mac and cheese that way. Maybe a jam sandwich? I sometimes have success with having my similarly aged kiddo help pack her own lunch and take a little more responsibility (or at least it helps cut down on me trying to come up with what on earth to send.) This age can be hard, I know.
I came here to say the same. How is this picky eater approved?
There’s no magic lunch idea that will work for every kiddo, especially since “picky” means something different to everyone. I do my best to offer a range of ideas to help a very diverse pool of kiddos!
In your thumbnail photo for this post- What are the Little plastic boxes inside the pink omnie box? Always struggling to keep foods separate. Thanks for helpful tips as usual!
Sure, they’re the Mini Dippers from Easy Lunchboxes. They’re great since they come with lids but they are small enough that they fit in every other bento-style box I have! https://www.easylunchboxes.com/small-containers/
I wanted to say the same thing. A lot of these foods are things that no picky eater would ever touch. Hummus? Edamame beans? Salami? These are great food ideas for health nuts. Not picky eaters.
There is no standard definition of “picky eater” so no one person can say what will or won’t work for kids broadly speaking. Kids come in all forms. These are ideas and some might work for some kids, some might not. I try to provide a range through my content in the hopes that an idea here or there might work.