Fun, Easy Kid Approved School Lunches

The start of school is right around the corner, which is a nice reprieve for this mom. But my daughter is an extremely picky eater. So, during the school year, we always do sack lunches. It takes a little extra planning on our part, but we’ve found a system that takes the work out.

Making a list helps our morning routine go so much easier. Each night, we go through the list and decide what we will be packing for lunch the next day. It takes a lot of the stress out of the morning.

Listing all the options that we like for lunch also makes grocery shopping go a little more smoothly. There is nothing like being able to get in and get out at the grocery store! No more standing there asking, “Do you think that she would like that for lunch?”

I try to spice it up and switch up her foods. I try, and most times win, when I work around her pickiness. We’ll be leaving the lunch fails off this list… here are some of our favorite school lunches.

The Main Course: (pick 1)

• Peanut butter and jelly sandwich
• Turkey and cheese sandwich
• Mini pizza bagels
• Bagels and peanut butter
• Ham and cheese roll up
• Tuna sandwhiches
• Muffins
• Grilled chicken and pita bread
• Hot dog and a bun
• Homemade lunchables
• Pancakes with syrup on the side
• Cheese quesadillas
• Chicken nuggets
• Biscuits with jelly
• Peanut butter and banana sandwich
• Bagel and cream cheese
• Salad with croutons

Fruits and Vegetables: (pick 1)

• Cucumber
• Celery and peanut butter
• Salad
• Pickles
• Edamame
• Broccoli
• Apples
• Apple sauce (sugar free)
• Strawberries
• Watermelon
• Cantaloupe
• Honeydew melon
• Banana
• Oranges
• Dried fruit mix
• Fruit cocktail

Snacks and Treats: (pick 1-2)

• Cheese stick
• Yogurt
• Fish crackers
• Pretzels
• Baked chips
• Nuts
• Veggie straws
• Brownies
• Rice Krispies treat
• Popcorn
• Pudding
• Fruit snacks
• Fruit rollups

Drinks: (pick 1)

• Water
• 100% juice
• Flavored water
• Milk
• Lemonade

Keeping a list is great because my daughter can pack her own lunch. She (and you!) can use the list as a guideline. Fill in what you like and what your kids like.

This lunch list works great for us and I hope it makes your family’s school mornings a little easier.