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A list of kindergarten lunchbox ideas for school based on what my kids are actually eating and loving!
If you’re wondering: What should I pack for a kindergarten lunchbox? How do you pack a lunch bag for kindergarten? What lunchboxes are best for kindergartners? This post can help!
I’m sharing some of our absolute favorite lunches (and bento-box-style lunchboxes) that are perfect for back-to-school or all throughout the school year (and summer and summer camp too!). Easy kindergarten lunchbox ideas from a mom of three!
Best Bento Box Kindergarten Lunchboxes
Here are some of our favorite bento-box-style lunchboxes that are great for older preschoolers, kindergarten, and elementary kids.
Be sure to check out the measurements and make sure that these bento boxes will fit in your kids’ lunchbox if needed!
>>> Shop all of our favorite lunchbox items on Amazon
Kindergarten Lunchbox Side Ideas
Before we get too far into what to pack your kindergartener for lunch (with pictures of full lunchboxes for ideas), I wanted to share some side ideas with you!
We try to pack lots of fruit, veggies, and wholesome dairy and healthy fats. Most of the time we try for one main course, one veggies, 1-2 fruits, and one snack food.
Here are some of our favorite sides:
- Veggies: cucumber, carrots, mini sweet peppers, cherry tomatoes
- Fruit: berries, grapes, mandarin orange, kiwi, pineapple, apricot, peach, cherries, apples
- Dairy/protein: hard boiled eggs, yogurt, mozzarella pearls, string cheese, colby cheese stick, Perfect protein bar
- Snacks: applesauce, Annie’s bunnies, LesserEvil snacks, Kodiak bear grahams, crackers, pretzels, Harvest pea snaps, Amara smoothie melts, graham crackers, raisins, yogurt pretzels, homemade baked goods
>>>> Shop my Walmart Snack/Side List here
What To Pack In Your Kindergarten Lunchbox
If you are wondering what to pack your Kindergartener for lunch, look no further!
Here are 20 of our favorite easy, healthy, and little kid approved bento box lunch idea perfect for preschool, kindergarten, and elementary:
- Quesadilla – I love the OmieBox lunchbox because you there is a thermos insert you can use to keep food warm (fill with hot water for 10 mins or so, drain, and then fill with your hot food). Side of sour cream for dipping (I use this dipping container), bell pepper, berries, and pretzels.
- Pita/Naan Sandwich – turkey and cheese sandwich served on a mini naan round as a sandwich alternative. Side of sweet potato root chips, berries, and cucumber.
- Waffle Sandwich – another fun sandwich alternative is to make a sandwich with a waffle! Try sunbutter + jelly, almond butter + chia jam, or meat and cheese. Side of carrot chips, berries, graham crackers, grapes, and pretzels. I love this snack spinner lunchbox!
- Chicken Salad + Dippers – chicken salad served with fun dippers like pretzels and carrot chips (more good options are cucumbers, pita bread, or crackers). Sides of berries and cheese.
>>> Shop all of our favorite lunchbox items on Amazon
- Waffle + PB Yogurt Dip – use a frozen waffle or make your own and serve with peanut butter yogurt dip for dipping (combine greek yogurt, peanut butter, and maple syrup), side of berries, fig bar, and cucumber
- Mac & Cheese – use the OmieBox lunchbox with the thermos insert to keep warm food warm until lunch time! Side of granola bites, grapes, and cucumber.
- Croissant Sandwich – try using a mini croissant instead of a sandwich (I did turkey and cheese), side of graham crackers, blueberries, cherry tomatoes, pretzels, and cheese.
- Mini Pancakes – use frozen pancakes or make your own mini pancakes or cut into strips. Side of a yogurt smoothie, syrup for dipping graham crackers, and grapes.
- >>>> Shop my Walmart Snack/Side List here
- Chicken salad sandwich – made on a croissant or bread, sides of rice crisps, pretzels, grapes, strawberries, and fruit leather.
- Turkey Cheese Wrap – sprinkle cheese and lay turkey on a tortilla, heat, and then roll up for a kid size wrap. Sides of cucumbers, blueberries, graham crackers, grapes, and cherry tomatoes.
- Naan + Hummus – a hummus plate is one of my kids’ favorite lunches so I also make it into a a lunchbox! Serve hummus with naan, cucumbers (or other options are crackers, pretzels, and other veggies, sweet potato root chips, skout date bar, and grapes.
- Yogurt Parfait – another fun breakfast for lunch lunchbox! Serve whole milk yogurt with a splash of honey and fruit, sides of granola bites (or granola for adding to the yogurt), a croissant, and veggies.
- Oatmeal – keep oatmeal warm in your OmieBox lunchbox with thermos insert! Side of blueberries, graham crackers, and a yogurt tube or smoothie.
- DIY Lunchable: if you remember these from your childhood, it’s also fun to let your kids made their own for their lunch! Cheese, crackers, salami, and turkey with sides of cucumbers with ranch, berries, and yogurt pretzels
- Almond Butter and Banana Sandwich: try something different than pb&j and use banana instead! I’ve also recently learned that my kids prefer almond butter to peanut butter. Side of Annie’s bunnies, cucumbers, raspberries, and orange. Try our favorite sandwich sealer!
- DIY Pizza: another fun idea is to let your kids make their own mini pizza with an English muffin, naan round, or mini bagel. Serve the sauce and cheese on the side with fruits and veggies.
- Waffle & Eggs: we recently found these fun new thawable waffles that are perfect for lunch boxes or on-the-go. Side of hard boiled eggs, applesauce pouch, orange, and grapes. (halve grapes for kids under 5 or so).
Shop all of our favorite lunchbox items on Amazon
- Pesto Pasta Salad: combine cooked pasta with pesto and mozzarella pearls for an easy lunch! Sides of Annie’s bunny grahams, yogurt tube, mandarin orange, and grapes.
- Mini Bagel: mini bagels are a great lunch because they are kid-sized! We like cream cheese and jelly or pb&j bagels to put in the lunchboxes. Side of mozzarella pearls, grapes, carrots, and Annie’s bunny grahams.
- Protein Bar Snack Box: if you are running out of main course ideas, try serving some wholesome snacks for your kindergartener’s lunch. ZBar Protein bar, string cheese, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, Annie’s bunnies, and LesserEvil snacks.
- Banana Pinwheels: also sometimes called “banana sushi”, lay out a tortilla and spread with peanut butter, lay a banana inside, wrap up tightly, and cut into pinwheels. Side of Kodiak bear grahams, kiwi, cherry tomatoes, and gummies.
- Turkey & Hummus Sandwich: turkey and hummus sandwich with sides of pineapple, strawberries, cucumbers, and Kodiak bear grahams.
- Tuna Salad & Crackers: tuna salad made with tuna, greek yogurt, dill, and salt and pepper. Side of crackers, cheese, blueberries, raisins, and a Perfect protein bar.
- Applesauce + String Cheese snack box: another snack box idea with an applesauce pouch, string cheese, berries, Harvest pea snaps, Kodiak bear grahams, and Amara smoothie melts (use PANDP15 to save 15%).
- Pasta Salad: our go-to pasta salad recipe here with sides of raspberries, cucumber, pretzels and apricot.
Read More: The Best Labels for Back-to-School: Name Bubbles
- PB&J: a little kid favorite served with sides of mandarin orange, cucumber, yogurt, and gummies.
- Turkey Roll Ups: break a string cheese in half length-wise, then wrap turkey around the pieces to make turkey roll ups! Side of carrots, grapes, cherries, and lemon cookies.
- Hard Boiled Eggs: my kids love their hard boiled eggs topped with everything seasoning. Side of cheddar cheese, grapes, carrot sticks, and gummies.
- Yogurt Pouch Snack Box: Yogurt pouch with Harvest pea snaps, hard boiled eggs, raspberries, and raisins.
- Caprese pasta salad: cooked pasta tossed with olive oil, tomato, basil, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese. Side of berries, cucumber, raisins, and honey graham sticks.
- Chia Pouch snack box: chia pouch, cheese stick, grapes, cherry tomatoes, LesserEvil snacks, and Annie’s bunnies.
- Egg Salad sandwich: we love this easy egg salad recipe and use it to make sandwiches! Side of cucumber with ranch, strawberries, and Kodiak bear grahams.
- Hawaiian roll sandwich: my kids love these little kid size sandwiches made with Hawaiian rolls (pb&j or turkey and cheese work well!), side of blueberries, strawberries, cherry tomatoes, and Kodiak bear grahams.
I hope you liked these Kindergarten lunchbox ideas! You may also like these recent related posts:
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