If you’re sick of packing lunches, these are great options that are incredibly quick, healthy and EASY because they are cold! No heating, baking or cooking required here. I hope you find some new favorites to add to your lunch rotation!
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4-Ingredient Hard Boiled Egg Bento Box Lunch
Skip the lunchables and make this protein-packed hard boiled egg bento box lunch for only $1 each! This super easy 4-ingredient bento box is the perfect quick & healthy lunch or snack for picky eaters and those who crave variety.
Veggie Wraps
Made with fresh, crisp vegetables, a thick, homemade ranch spread, and sharp shredded cheese, these Veggie Wraps are an easy recipe that gets everyone excited to eat their vegetables.
Banana Sushi
Make them yourself or get the kids involved. Keep it more “lunch” oriented by using hemp seeds, chia seeds and skipping the chocolate.
Cold Pinwheels
Here are a couple of yummy cold pinwheel ideas that make great lunches!
Avocado Chicken Salad Pinwheels
These Chicken Avocado Pinwheels are the perfect bite-sized snack! Packed with creamy avocado, shredded chicken, and flavorful seasonings, they’re rolled up in soft tortillas for a no-fuss recipe that’s great for parties, lunches, or a quick dinner.
Tasty Pickle Dip Pinwheels
If you love pickles, you need to try these pickle dip pinwheels! Creamy, tangy, and packed with that signature dill flavor, these bite-sized rollups are the perfect party appetizer or afternoon snack. With just a few simple ingredients and no baking required, they come together in minutes.
Homemade Lunchables
These are easy, versatile and great for picky eaters because you can swap out whatever they dislike!
Hummus and Pita Bread
You don’t need to serve olives with this one haha. Swap ’em out for fruit, veggies, or whatever your child likes!
Turkey and Cheese Rollups
Turkey Cheddar Lunch Roll Ups make the best lunch, appetizer or snack that everyone will love! Soft tortillas are spread with cream cheese, turkey slices, lettuce and cheddar cheese slices.These are fun and perfect to add to your kid’s lunch boxes!
Sandwich Appetizer Skewers
If the kids are sick of sandwiches, try putting the sandwich ingredients on a kabob! It’ll be a hit.
5-Ingredient Spinach Turkey Cream Cheese Rollups
These delicious spinach turkey cream cheese rollups are a quick, high protein, no-cook lunch made with just 5 ingredients. Perfect for school lunchboxes, work, or even a picnic! They’re also meal-prep friendly for make-ahead lunches and parties.
Homemade Gluten-Free + Allergy-Free Uncrustables (Vegan)
Uncrustables can be super expensive when buying them at the grocery store, so why not make your own!
You know exactly what’s in them, so no artificial ingredients, and even the kids may enjoy making them. Experiment with different shapes and flavors of jelly for a new fun lunch idea!
PB&J Pinwheel Sandwich Kabobs
Serving food in different ways is how you introduce a picky eater to new things! Make a PB & J on a wrap, then slice into pinwheels. Alternate their favorite fruit and cheese onto a skewer and you have an easy school lunch idea.
If you don’t want to skewer them, just divide them into a bento box or separate containers.
DIY Butterfly Snack Bags
Butterfly Snack Bags are such a fun way to dress up a school lunch or after-school snack! Made in less than 5 minutes, customized with your child’s favorite snacks, and shaped like butterflies, these adorable snack bags are easy to make and sure to bring a smile to any child.
Owl Rice Cake Snacks
This recipe is healthy and has some added protein from the peanut butter. While it’s such a fun snack, it’s also great for kids who aren’t big meat fans.
Smear peanut butter onto a rice cake and make the owl face out of sliced fruit and Cheerios.
Turkey, Ham and Cheddar Apple Sandwiches Without Bread
An Apple Sandwich without bread is a fun and healthy lunch idea, especially for kids. A tasty option whether someone took the last slice, you are looking for an easy gluten free sandwich, or want something different. And it’s so easy you don’t even really need a recipe. Just go breadless with a classic combination when you make Turkey, Ham and Cheese Apple Sandwiches.
Mini Sandwich Lunchbox Idea
Sandwiches don’t have to be boring anymore! Swap the regular bread for slider buns for a whole new lunch!
Serve with a veggie, their favorite fruit, and a crunchy snack like pretzels or crackers for a simple lunchbox that your picky eater will love.
Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad
This is such a simple pasta salad recipe that most kids will love! For nutrition use a plant-based protein option like Banza.
It’s also great because it’s best served cold but still has the famous pizza flavor.
3-Ingredient Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps
These delicious 3-ingredient Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps are a quick, easy, high protein lunch that you can make in minutes without even turning on the stove! Perfect for a last-minute lunch you can pack in a school lunchbox or take to work.
Ham And Cheese Sliders
While we love making these as a game-day snack, they are just as delicious in a school lunch!
If needed you can swap the cheese or meat for their favorite.
Cucumber Ranch Turkey Tortilla Wrap Recipe
Turkey ranch wraps only take a few minutes to make and use dry ranch seasoning, cream cheese, cucumbers, and turkey wrapped in a tortilla.
To make pinwheels, simply slice them once you have them rolled.
Before sending these lunches, try a few out on the weekend just to be sure the kids like them. Most are easy enough that they can even pitch in and help! Hope you found some shiny new lunch ideas for your fam!
Which one was a favorite??
COLD SCHOOL LUNCH IDEAS FOR KIDS
