Quick and easy. That’s my motto. Follow these Simple Lunch Ideas for Kids at school, at work, or at home. Many on the go lunch ideas including wraps, pinwheels, sandwich sushi, corn dogs, pigs in a blanket, quesadillas, and other kid favorites, you can’t miss!
Simple Lunch Ideas for Kids
Whether you’re homeschooling or sending your kids to school this year, one thing rings true. Busy moms need simple lunch ideas for kids that keep kids well-fed and happy without taking up too much time in the kitchen. We’ve got you covered with lots of great ideas that go beyond basic sandwiches with deli meat or PB&J (though you’ll still find some yummy sandwiches in the mix).
Our School Lunch Planner can help you keep track of which recipes you want to make. It includes a spot to keep a running shopping list and pantry inventory, so you’ll be able to make your grocery list fast every week.
Don’t miss our School Lunch Hacks for tips and tricks on making your kids’ school lunches AMAZING.
With wraps, pinwheels, sandwich sushi, corn dogs, pigs in a blanket, quesadillas, and other kid favorites, you can’t miss! Let’s dive into the list of 22 simple lunch ideas for kids. Hope you’re hungry!
Simple Lunch Ideas for Kids
This sandwhich has all the healthy ingredients. Make our easy peasy Peanut Butter, Banana, Apple, Cinnamon, & Raisin Face Sandwich. With our without the face, it is sure to be a hit!
Take your grilled cheese sandwich to the next level by making Pizza Grilled Cheese. It’s a little more fun and convenient than baking a pizza from scratch, but you still get all those pizza flavors you love. You could even sneak in some peppers and tomatoes if your kiddo likes them. | Easy Budget Recipes
Walking Tacos aren’t just for enjoying around a campfire or at a party. Kids will get a kick out of having these on a normal weekday. Just brown and season your taco meat, provide individual bags of chips and your favorite taco toppings, and you’re all set. | Frugal Coupon Living
If your kid loves PB&J, you need to stock your freezer with these DIY Uncrustables. They’re a fraction of the price of the store-bought version, and they’re just as delicious. | Princess Pinky Girl
Stop right there, we have another homemade DIY Uncrustables Recipe on Frugal Coupon Living. This one square and with Grape Jelly!
These colorful Veggie Pinwheels are sure to delight your hungry family at lunchtime. They’re stuffed with crisp veggies and ranch-flavored cream cheese; all rolled up in a spinach wrap. Substitute regular or wheat tortillas if your kids aren’t into the spinach ones. | Dinner at the Zoo
Visit Frugal Coupon Living’s Hidden Veggie Recipes for Kids & Picky Eaters too!
Ditch the breading, and make Grilled Chicken Tenders instead. Aside from the time the chicken tenders need to marinade, these tenders can be made quickly and easy. Serve with grilled veggies, pasta salad, or fresh veggies. | Nourish Plate
Mini Broccoli Quesadillas are just the right size for little ones’ hands. They’re easy to make, but you can feel good that they’re really nutritious, too. Any food that encourages kids to eat more veggies is a win! | High Chair Chronicles
Pigs in a Blanket are a classic and simple appetizer, but they make great lunches for kids, too. You can make them super simple and serve with ketchup, as they are in this recipe, or add herbs, poppy seeds, etc., and serve with different sauces. | Damn Delicious
You can make English Muffin Pizzas in under 20 minutes. They’ll quickly become a lunchtime favorite, and they’re easy on the budget, too. Add olives, peppers, or mushrooms for children who like them. | The Best Ideas for Kids
Encourage the kids to get in the kitchen to help you make these Mini Chicken Quesadillas. They’re delicious, easy, and kid-friendly. To make this even easier, pick up a rotisserie chicken rather than cooking one yourself when you’re in a time crunch. | High Chair Chronicles
Make Homemade Spaghettio’s instead of serving the canned stuff. It only takes about 10 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook, so it’s pretty easy, and you can feel good knowing all the ingredients that have gone into it. | Strength and Sunshine
Mac and Cheese Bites are a fun, portable way to enjoy mac and cheese. They’re perfect for your kids’ lunchboxes if they’re going to school this year, but they’re just as yummy eaten in the comfort of your home. | The Best Ideas for Kids
Looking for more easy air fryer recipes? These Air Fryer Pizza Rolls are just the ticket. They’re tasty, wholesome, and super kid-friendly. The pizza rolls are made with sauce, pepperoni, and cheese, but feel free to customize them with your favorite pizza toppings. They’re ready in about 25 minutes, including prep and cook time. | Recipes from a Pantry
See also Frugal Coupon Living’s Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners and Air Fryer Cheat Sheet.
Grilled Chicken Wraps are sure to satisfy any chicken fanatic. They’re the perfect summer lunch, but you can make them all year long, too. If you don’t have time to grill or cook your own chicken breasts, sub rotisserie chicken, or pre-grilled strips. Easy peasy! | Little Sunny Kitchen
Regular sandwiches are BORING, but sandwiches served differently are fun and exciting! Enter these Sandwich Sushi Rolls—your favorite deli meat + cheese + veggies for a bit of crunch. Don’t they look delicious? | Eating Richly
These Corn Dog Mini Muffins (as seen in our Winner Super Bowl Snack Recipes) are basically corn dogs without the fuss. You’ll get more of that delicious yellow cornbread, which has to be my favorite part. And if you don’t want to make cornbread mix from scratch for these, you could always pop the hot dogs in some Jiffy mix to speed things up. | Damn Delicious
These Pizza Pancakes are a little bit of breakfast and a little bit of dinner all in one fun dish. They’re gooey and cheesy when you pull them apart, and they’re just perfect for dipping in marinara sauce. | Happiness is Homemade
Everyone needs to know how to make an Easy Pasta Salad. This recipe is simple and versatile. Make the recipe as is, or substitute whatever leftover meats and veggies you have on hand. To save time, you can use your favorite packaged Italian dressing instead of making your own. Make a big batch, though, because it’s irresistible, and you want enough to last a few days! | Savory Tooth
It may sound like an odd combination, but if your kids like to experiment in the kitchen, they may be right on board with these PB Apple Chicken Salad Wraps. Cooked chicken is combined with chopped apple, grapes, peanut butter, and Greek yogurt for a whole new take on chicken salad. | Love Bakes Good Cakes
With pre-cooked meatballs, crescent roll dough, marinara sauce, cheese, and herbs, you can have a batch of Meatball Cheese Bombs ready in under 15 minutes. How good do those sound? Serve them with a salad, and you have a simple no-fuss lunch everyone will love. | Sizzling Eats
Pizza Sliders are a great dish for potlucks, but you can make a couple of batches and refrigerate or freeze them for quick lunches during the week, too. Standard pepperoni and cheese sliders will work best for most kids, but feel free to sneak some veggies in there, like peppers, onions, mushrooms, or even olives. | Sugar Spice and Glitter
Hummus, spinach, deli turkey, and cherry tomatoes (with a couple more ingredients) come together to make this Healthy Spinach Turkey Wrap that you can make in about two minutes. It can easily be a gluten-free meal by using gluten-free tortillas. | Living Well Mom
If all else fails, you simply can’t go wrong with delicious and simple Cheese Quesadillas. Use one type of cheese or a combination of cheeses to switch things up. Serve with sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, or salsa. | Isabel Eats
Pin to Pinterest this list of simple lunch ideas for kids so you’ll have a meal idea ready the next time you need a quick meal that can’t miss.
Get organized! Our School Lunch Planner can help you keep track of your kids lunch ideas. It includes a spot to keep a running shopping list and pantry inventory, so you’ll be able to make your grocery list fast every week. Comes with free lunchbox notes too! Pin to Pinterest.
Also visit our Hidden Veggie Recipes for Picky Eaters. Pin to Pinterest.
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