55 Easy Lunchbox Ideas That Kids Will Be Excited About

Put aside that PB&J — fun, creative lunches are here to stay. It's easy to get stuck in a rut when packing lunches (especially if your kid's a picky eater). But, that doesn't mean lunch box meals have to boring! To make lunchtime fun again, we've compiled our favorite easy, quick lunches to turn your kid's lunch into the most coveted box on the block.

Whether your kid is the pickiest of eaters or super adventurous with their food, we have tried-and-true favorites and creative recipes for every kind of eater. PB&J Apples take the classic up a notch, while Waffle Iron Grilled Cheese makes whipping up the staple cheesy sandwich too easy. Is your kid a "fast food or nothing" kind of person? No stress: We've got plenty of copycat recipes — Homemade Crunchwrap Supreme, Chick-fil-A Nuggets, Panera Mac & Cheese — that are so tasty, they won't be able to tell the difference! Looking for healthy options? Our nutritious bowls, bites and sandwiches sneak in veggies in the most delicious ways. 😎

We know: With getting the kids ready, figuring out your own lunch (why not double the recipe and make some for yourself too? Win win!) and making sure everyone's leaving in one piece, school mornings can be busy. That's why we included super easy, last-minute recipes that will still have the other kids begging to trade in their regular ol' sandwiches. Many of these recipes you can even make-ahead on the weekend, making lunch packing a breeze during the week.

Looking for more kid-friendly recipes? Check out our healthy lunch ideas for kids that they'll actually want to eat. Or, if you're planning a celebration, peruse our kid's party food ideas for recipes that will please every kid at the celebration.