60+ Healthy School Lunch Ideas for Kids

A well-balanced lunch meal provides kids with the energy and nutrients they need for their physical and mental health, and supports their classroom learning. 

Many children in the U.S. eat school-prepared meals. But many bring lunches from home. If you are a parent trying to prepare tasty, healthy school lunches that your child will love, these ideas might help. 

What are some healthy school lunch ideas?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), students enrolled in school lunch programs receive five meal components on their trays to make up a balanced meal. You can follow a similar pattern when you prepare lunches at home. Consider including foods from these five categories:

• Vegetables, which have fiber that’s crucial for a healthy digestive tract. Vegetables also provide essential nutrients like potassium, vitamin C, and folate. 

• Fruits contain fiber, too. And their antioxidants protect the body from damage that can lead to disease or illness. Eating fruit is one way to help keep your kid’s immune system strong, and reduce how often they get sick. 

• Protein-rich foods, which support muscle and bone health for kids’ growth and development. Protein can come from either animal or plant sources. Examples of animal proteins are chicken, turkey, eggs, and fish. Plant-based options include tofu, beans, nuts, and lentils.

• Low- or full-fat dairy, which has calcium, vitamin D, potassium, and vitamin A. Dairy provides protein, and the fat in dairy products can benefit kids’ brain development. This is why choosing either low- or full-fat dairy is best — whether it’s milk, cheese, or unsweetened yogurt.

• Whole grains, which contain healthy carbohydrates that give kids energy to play, think, and learn. They also provide fiber, and other nutrients like magnesium and zinc. Whole-wheat bread, brown-rice crackers, and brown rice are a few examples of whole-grains foods. 

Below are several healthy school lunch ideas that provide a variety of nutrients for students.

Sandwiches and wraps

Examples of sandwiches or wraps to put in school lunches can include those made with:

• Fresh sliced deli meat, like chicken or turkey

• Cheese, like cheddar, halloumi, or mozzarella

• Tuna salad with sliced celery

• Egg salad with fresh herbs

• Peanut butter and fruits (or seed butter if nuts aren’t allowed at school)

• Hummus or black bean spread with raw or roasted veggies

• Baked tofu 

• Channa masala, veggies, and a yogurt spread

• Grilled paneer (Indian-style ricotta) with bell peppers and onions

• Falafel 

• Cream cheese and thinly sliced cucumber

• Canned salmon mixed with a sauce like mayonnaise

And remember, sliced sandwich bread isn’t your only option. Try:

• Slicing wraps or burritos to make rolls or “pinwheel” sandwiches

• Stuffing ingredients into a pita

• Wrapping ingredients into flatbread or lavash bread

• Using whole-grain pancakes as “bread” to fill with nut butter and fruit

• Swapping out plain bread for a whole-grain bagel or English muffin 

Bento boxes

A bento box is a lunch container with dividers. They’re convenient for fun children’s lunches. And they make it easy to serve up small portions of a variety of foods (think: homemade Lunchables). 

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• Building healthy eating habits at home: Modeling healthy and balanced eating, having regular family meals, and not forcing your child to eat are a few ways to start.

• Are granola bars good for you? Not always. The best granola bars to choose are those without added sweeteners, refined oils, and unrecognizable ingredients listed on the packaging.

Examples of foods to add to bento box compartments are:

• Whole-grain crackers or pita chips

• Dumplings such as gyoza or pierogies, heated from frozen 

• Soba noodles

• Cheese slices

• Cubed meat, chicken, or tofu

• Roasted chickpeas 

• Crunchy banana or plantain chips

• Edamame tossed with salt

• Portable fruits, like mixed berries, or orange slices

• Applesauce 

• Vegetables such as bell pepper slices, snap peas, or cucumber rounds

• Dips like hummus, baba ganoush, or tzatziki 

• Sliced avocado (or guacamole)

• Peanut butter and apple slice “sandwiches”

• English muffin pizzas 

• Granola

• Store-bought veggie sushi made with avocado, carrot, or cucumber

• Trail mix 

• Pasta or orzo 

• Falafel

• Sliced pickles

• Dry cereal (low sugar) 

• Veggie chips 

• Whole-grain pretzels

• Dried seaweed strips

• Mini muffins

Note: Small or hard foods such as grapes, baby carrots, and cherry tomatoes are a choking hazard for young children. Avoid packing them, or slice as needed based on your child’s age. 

Leftovers for lunch

Dinner leftovers can work well in a lunchbox. Ideas for dinner meals that can work well as lunch include:

• Pasta bakes

• Macaroni and cheese

• Shredded or grilled chicken or tofu

• Enchiladas 

• Lasagna 

• Turkey burgers

• Veggie burgers

• Quesadillas

• Chili 

• Casseroles

• Pizza

• Empanadas

• Quiche or frittata

• Fried rice

• Burrito bowls

• Curry

• Soups or stews

Salads

Salads don’t always need to be greens-based. Here are some ideas for kid-friendly salads:

• Deconstructed taco salad

• Pasta salad 

• Quinoa, bulgur, or farro salad

• Caesar salad

• Chef’s salad

Fun and healthy extras

There’s nothing wrong with including a sweet item in your child’s lunch. Doing so may actually even increase their excitement about the meal, and make them more likely to consume the different foods you provide.

Here are some ideas:

• Dark chocolate squares or chips

• Dried fruit like mango, cranberries, and dates

• Honey-roasted nuts

• Yogurt-covered nuts or raisins

• Yogurt-covered pretzels

• Mini peanut butter or sunbutter cups

• Date balls

• Chocolate chip oat bites (either store-bought or homemade) 

How do you make homemade lunches for picky eaters?

Picky eating is common, especially in younger kids. About half of toddlers are picky eaters. Most kids become less picky with time, but some continue to have limited food preferences for some time.  

One way to address lunchbox pickiness is to include your kids in the lunch-making process. Shop for groceries and assemble lunches together. Kids are more likely to eat foods that they helped choose or prepare.

Here are some other tips to help make lunchtime easier for picky eaters:

• Include familiar foods that your child enjoys to eat at home. The lunchbox isn’t the place to introduce unknown ingredients.

• Serve what they like. It’s OK if you send the same foods day after day if that’s what they enjoy most. You can always introduce new foods when you’re at home together. 

• Try not to use pressure or force. Don’t use bribes to make them eat or rewards for bringing home an empty lunchbox.   

• Add a fun touch. Cut bread into shapes using cookie cutters or add edible “googly eyes” to fruit. You can also include a note with a funny joke or a supportive message.

Tips for packing healthy school lunches

It’s easier to pack school lunches when you plan ahead and get organized. Packing healthy school lunches is easier if you follow these tips:

• Have all the items you need on hand. This might include an insulated lunch bag or lunchbox, leak-proof containers, portable cutlery, and ice packs. 

• Store lunch containers and lids in a designated cupboard or bin. This makes them easy to find when you need them.  

• Wash out the lunch bag right after school. Then it’s ready for you to grab whenever you make the next day’s lunch.

How to keep lunches safe

Ensure your lunches are free from harmful bacteria with these food safety rules:

• Keep foods cold using ice packs and insulated lunch bags.

• Keep foods hot with an insulated container (like a thermos). A tip for use: Fill the container with boiling water. Then pour the water out before adding food. This will keep the food in the thermos hot for longer. 

• Toss uneaten perishable foods at the end of the day. Foods that have been at room temperature for more than 2 hours cannot be put back in the fridge.  

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Written by:

Cara Rosenbloom, RD

Cara Rosenbloom, RD, has been a registered dietitian for 22 years. She began her career working as a dietitian at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).

Edited by:

Meredith Hoffa

Meredith Hoffa is a senior health editor at GoodRx, where she leads journalists and clinicians covering various well-being topics, particularly in diet and nutrition.

Reviewed by:

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.

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