5 Non-Sandwich Kids' Lunchbox Meal Ideas

Tessa Trudeau
Updated
No more boring sandwiches!

Most moms will agree that getting your kids ready to go back to school can be one of the most stressful times of the year. After a summer full of activities, the annual return to the classroom always seems to sneak up on you—and suddenly, there are a million things to do. Time flies when you're having fun! But when you're running around buying new clothes and school supplies, the last thing you want to worry about is what you're going to pack in your kids' lunches.

So, to make things a little easier on you, we scoured Instagram and rounded up five different lunchbox meal ideas that don't involve any boring ol' sandwiches. Read below to see our picks.

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PEANUT BUTTER ENERGY BITES

Kids lunchbox ideas... these are for all of my kids to share today. Peanuts, raisins, raspberries, blueberries, apple slices, sweet potato chunks with cinnamon, avocado, cucumber slices, plantain chips (thanks @kehlerwilson ????), to dip in the guacamole, mini carrots, homemade peanut butter energy balls (recipe from @gimmesomeoven ), and if they eat a good variety for lunch, they get a @stretchisland dried fruit strip for dessert.

A post shared by Lauren Jackson (@veggieinspiredfamily) on Jul 24, 2017 at 6:55am PDT

This Instagrammer whipped up some easy-to-make peanut butter energy bites from blogger Gimme Some Oven. The best part is that there's no baking required! Plantain chips and guacamole round out this simple lunch.

CHICKEN SALAD WRAP

Good morning! ?? Cat Boy insisted on making a cameo in today's #hlslunchbox so we took the opportunity to talk to Cat Boy about what's in here and the benefits of each food. I've never seen my kids eat so many carrots in such a short amount of time ????????Whatever works! In today's LunchBox we have: •an all veggie wrap with chicken salad •fermented carrots ???? •cucumbers ???? •clementines ???? •berries ???? •a little piece of a Lara Bar •side snack not shown: Lime Sea Snax ???? ????And in celebration of Earth Day......! This LunchBox is currently on sale today and tomorrow only! Get 22% off using code Earth22 at checkout! 10% of sales are being donated to a nonprofit helping to fund a global climate movement. We love this LunchBox and find it makes packing healthy lunches a breeze, now is the time to grab one if you're interested, available here: ???? https://planetbox.myomnistar.com/redir.php?oid=1148 . . . . . . . . . #glutenfree #kidapproved #pickyeaters #paleo #jerf #healthykid #organic #healthyfoodforkids #organicfood #holisticnutritionist #kidfood #toddlerfood #foodforkids #paleofood #glutenfreekids #wholesome #wholefoods #paleokids #paleofamily #paleomom #cleaneats #hflc #momwin #pickyeater #grainfree #guthealth #pickyeaterexpert #kidmeals

A post shared by Leigh McSwan-Kid Nutritionist???? (@holisticlittlesprouts) on Apr 19, 2017 at 5:08am PDT

This lunchbox idea uses a healthy veggie wrap instead of bread for some yummy chicken salad. We also love all of her ideas for different sides, including fermented carrots, clementines, and a chunk of Lara bar.

GREEK YOGURT PARTFAIT

Farmers' market finds! Did you know it's National Strawberry Month?! ? ? + Greek yogurt parfait with blueberries, strawberries, honey, hemp seeds? + Cherries? + Carrots? + Spicy hummus? + Mixed nuts? ? ? ? ? ? ? #planetbox #lunchbox #lunch #planetboxlunch #lunchboxlove #schoollunch #healthykids #school #healthyfood #kids #kidslunch #lunch #instafood #bento #bentobox #lunchboxideas #packedlunch #healthy #health #eatclean #healthylife #gogreen #ecofriendly #sustainable #nofoodwaste #wastefree #strawberry #blueberry #farmersmarket

A post shared by planetbox (@planetbox) on May 9, 2017 at 10:18am PDT

The main dish in this lunchbox is protein-packed Greek yogurt topped with honey, hemp seeds, and berries. Who says lunch has to be savory? Carrots, hummus, cherries, and mixed nuts make for a balanced meal.

PASTA SALAD

In case you missed it in my last post, every Friday in August I'll be joining @veganfoodforoskar @marypardoux and @intentionalism in sharing healthy plant-based lunch box ideas for the little ones (or grown ups, too!). Here is an idea of something I might pack for my daughter... veggie sticks (cucumber, carrots, red bell pepper) and hummus, blueberries, sprouted grains pasta salad (with the same veggies, plus black beans, tomatoes and olives, a little olive oil and rice vinegar + salt and pepper and nutritional yeast), a mini banana, pumpkin seeds, and two buckwheat crispy treats. Never in a million years would she eat all of this! But I like to give lots of options, and some of it can be saved for a snack later. Hummus can be made in big batches, or if you're short on time you can always buy it! I'm all about being realistic! The pasta can also be made in large quantities or from leftover pasta made at an earlier time. I used the same veggies for the veggie stick as I used in the pasta to save time. Work with what you know your kids like, and go from there. My daughter loves fruit, so I know that I'll always include a couple servings. The box is from @bentologyliving and while I was determined to find a stainless steel option, I liked that this one is bpa, pvc, and phthalate free, is made with recycled materials and can also be recycled eventually. Also, it's very affordable (I got this one for around $8) and available @target! You can't beat that! Someday I'll invest in the stainless steel bento box, but for now this is perfect. Share your lunch box with us! Just tag your photo #plantbasedkidslunch!

A post shared by Larice (@feedingyourbeauty) on Aug 4, 2017 at 7:00am PDT

Sprouted-grain pasta is the star of this lunchbox, mixed with some veggies and black beans for extra protein. This dish is super customizable in that you can add in any of your child's favorites vegetables. Whip up a big batch and use it for more than one lunch!

HUMMUS AND PITA

Todays lunch is garlic hummus, pita chips, pretzels, nitrate free smoked turkey, cheese, cuties, one grape heart, apples, and chocolate covered sunflower seeds. . . . . . . . . #kidsnacks #kidslunch #planetbox #planetboxlunches #lunchideas #healthykids #kidfood #teamplanetbox #bento #bentokids #bentolunch #realfoodkids #packedlunch #funfood #lunchboxideas #funkidslunch #schoollunch #lunchbox #sacklunch #schoolfood #snacks #snackbox #toddlerfood #healthysnacks #cutefood #lunch #funfood #instafood #lunchinspo

A post shared by Nichol LaRue (@lunchforlittles) on Apr 27, 2017 at 8:44am PDT

Instagram user @lunchforlittles packs creamy hummus with a side of pita chips, turkey, and cheese. It's like a deconstructed sandwich! Pretzels, fruit, and some chocolate-covered sunflower seeds complete this lunch.