Food&Recipes
Food/Recipes

Healthy Snacks for Kids: Fun & Easy Lunch Box Ideas Every Parent Will Love

By Ashley Davis Published on Mon, May 19, 2025

A pink and blue lunchbox with sandwiches, fruit in cupcake cups, surrounded by green bean strings and red jam jar candies, side view. The other picture shows the same food arrangement but now placed inside an orange plastic bento box. Both boxes have different color accents and contain a well-organized school lunch. In both pictures, you can see that they feature various types of sandwich ingredients, including cheese, ham, or chicken slices. There is also some fruit on each plate.

Are you having trouble figuring out what to take for your child's lunch every day? A clever strategy that works can help you keep things simple and stress-free. Don't stress about it or spend hours on complex recipes. Just divide lunch down into four simple parts:

✔️ A major dish, like a sandwich or wrap

✔️ A fruit or vegetable

✔️ A dairy product

✔️ A small treat or nutritious snack

It's easy and quick to pack a lunch in a bento-style box with sections. You're done when you fill each section with one type of food. It's the simplest method to make sure your kids get nutritious, balanced meals that they will really eat.

Smart Tips to Make School Lunch Packing Easier (and Faster)

Good Snacks for School Lunches That Kids Will Actually Eat

1. Get your things ready the night before

Do as much as you can the night before to avoid the morning rush. Getting the main meal and snacks ready can help you relax before school.

2. Get ready on Sunday

Take advantage of your free time over the weekend. Prepare fruits like strawberries or grapes by washing and chopping them ahead of time. Put them in sealed containers with paper towels to keep them fresh for days.

3. Get two lunch boxes

You might want to buy two lunch boxes for each youngster. This way, you have a clean backup ready to go in case one is still dirty or drying. It's a simple modification that makes the nightly routine less stressful and faster.

4. Always have a "safe" snack on hand.

Put at least one thing in the bag that you know your kid will like. It makes sure they'll eat something, even if they're not convinced about the rest. This is very useful when you want to try new cuisine.

Top 7 Kids Lunch Box Ideas: Best School Snacks for Kids

1. Lunch box with no crusts produced at home

A lunchbox with homemade uncrustable, grapes, Colby jack cheese, Hippeas Cheese Puffs, carrot chips (love these) and cucumber slices.

A favorite that is now improved and safe for school! Instead of buying PB&J at the store, create your own without nuts using sunbutter and jam. You could also make your own chia jam for a healthier twist. If your kids don't like crusts, you can make your own Uncrustables in just a few seconds with a sandwich cutter and sealer. They're cheaper, fresher, and can be frozen!

What to bring:

Uncrustable with homemade sunbutter and jelly
Grapes (cut in half for safety)
Slices or cubes of Colby Jack cheese
Hippeas Cheese Puffs or any other crunchy food that kids like
For a fresh, colorful crunch, try carrot chips and cucumber slices.

👉 “Safe” food recommend: Quaker Rice Crisps, 30-Pack

Quaker Rice Crisps, Gluten Free, 4 Flavor Sweet and Savory Variety Mix, Single Serve, 30 count

PHOTO: AMAZON

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2. Lunch box with a deli meat + cheese sandwich

A lunch box with deli meat sandwich, Annie’s Bunnies, apple chips, a blueberry Abe’s Muffin and fresh peaches.

Easy, tasty, and can be changed in any way. Choose a deli meat that your child likes, such as turkey, ham, or roast beef. Then add a cheese that your child likes, such as cheddar or mozzarella. Spread some mayo, mustard, or hummus on soft rolls or sandwich bread and serve. Hawaiian rolls are an excellent alternative for kids with little hands and mild tastes.

What to bring:

Mini sweet Hawaiian buns with deli meat and cheese
Annie's Bunnies or any crunchy snack made with healthy grains
Apple chips are a sweet, crunchy snack.
A small blueberry muffin, like Abe's or any other brand that doesn't have nuts
Slices of fresh peach

👉 “Safe” food recommend: Bada Bean Bada Boom Crunchy Broad Beans, 24-Pack

Bada Bean Bada Boom Plant-Based Protein, Gluten Free, Vegan, Crunchy Roasted Broad (Fava) Bean Snacks, 100 Calorie Packs, The Classic Box Variety Pack, 1 Ounce (24 Count)

PHOTO: AMAZON

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3 Hummus and Crackers (or Veggies) Lunch Box

A lunch box with hummus with pita crackers, Laughing Cow cheese wedge, cucumber slices, hard boiled egg, blackberries and Soley Gummies.

A fun, healthy, and easy-to-make dip-and-snack combo. To keep things clean, put the hummus in a silicone muffin liner. Then, serve it with pita crackers or sliced veggies to dip. Store-bought hummus is fine. Pick a flavor that kids would like, such lemon garlic, to make it even more appealing.

What to bring:

Hummus in a silicone muffin cup
Crackers made with whole grains or pita
Cheese slice from Laughing Cow
Slices of cucumber
Egg that has been cooked hard
Blackberries
Only gummies or any other fruit snack with low sugar

👉 “Safe” food recommend: GoGo SqueeZ Fruit On The Go, 12-Pack

GoGo squeeZ Organic Applesauce and Fruit Puree, Variety Pack, Apple, Strawberry & Banana, 3.2 oz (Pack of 12), Unsweetened Organic Fruit Snacks for Kids, No Gluten, Nut & Dairy, BPA Free Pouches

PHOTO: AMAZON

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4 Mini Bagel Lunch Box

Alunch box with mini everything bagel with cream cheese, smoked salmon, Harvest Snaps Green Pea Crisps, Babybel cheese, Once Upon a Farm Oat Bar and Annie’s Gummies.

A lunch that is fun, filling, and a touch elegant! Mini bagels are the right size for kids and can be changed to fit their tastes. You may spread cream cheese on them or make tiny sandwiches out of them. If your youngster likes smoked salmon, carry some pieces separately so they may make their own. It's more fun and less messy!

What to bring:

Mini bagel with cream cheese on it
Optional smoked salmon (or deli meat instead)
The Only Bean Crunchy Roasted Edamame Beans (3-Pack) or a similar vegetarian snack
Cheese from Babybel
Once Upon a Farm Oat Bar or any other soft snack bar
Annie's Gummies or similar sweet with less sugar

👉 “Safe” food recommend: KIND Healthy Grains Bars, Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate, 40-Pack

KIND HEALTHY GRAINS Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Bars, Gluten Free Snacks, 1.2 OZ Bars (40 Count)

PHOTO: AMAZON

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5 Egg Muffin Lunch Box

A lunchbox with Veggies Made Great egg white frittatas, raspberries, coconut flakes, roasted sweet potatoes and Ozery Bakery Morning Rounds.

Egg muffins are a great school lunch since they are full of protein and the right size. You can make a batch at home or buy one from the shop for convenience. They're full of flavor, quick to reheat, and a sneaky way to get extra veggies in!

What to bring:

Egg muffins or frittatas made with egg whites and veggies
Raspberries that are fresh
Coconut flakes that aren't sweet are a pleasant topping or snack.
Cubes of roasted sweet potato (may be made ahead of time)
Ozery Bakery Morning Rounds or any soft whole grain bread

👉 “Safe” food recommend: GoMacro Macrobar Protein Bars

GoMacro Macrobar Organic Vegan Protein Bars - Blueberry + Cashew Butter (2.3 Ounce Bars (Pack of 12)

PHOTO: AMAZON

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6. Pinwheel Sandwich Lunch Box

A lunch box with pinwheel sandwiches, blueberries, mini mozzarella balls, chopped medjool dates and Kibo chickpea chips.

A fun twist on regular sandwiches, in a literal sense! With a soft tortilla and your child's favorite fillings, pinwheel sandwiches are simple to make. Cut them into rounds that are easy to eat and cute for lunch.

What to bring:

Pinwheel sandwiches are made with tortillas and deli meat, cheese, or spread.
Blueberries that are fresh
Small balls of mozzarella
Chopped Medjool dates make a naturally sweet snack.
Kibo Chickpea Chips or another crunchy snack with a lot of protein

👉 “Safe” food recommend: SkinnyDipped Dark Chocolate Cocoa Almonds

SkinnyDipped Dark Chocolate Cocoa Almonds, 1lb Bag, Healthy Snack, Plant Protein, Gluten Free, Pack of 1

PHOTO: AMAZON

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7 Cheese Quesadilla Lunch Box

A lunch box with cheese quesadilla, guacamole, plantain chips, roasted broccoli, yellow kiwi and dried blueberries.

Kids love quesadillas, whether they are hot or cold. Just heat it up, cut it up, and put it in a little container with guacamole or sour cream for dipping. Also great for using up leftovers—try adding beans, chicken, or vegetables to change things up!

What to bring:

Cut cheese quesadilla into strips or triangles.
Guacamole for dipping (put in a separate bag)
Plantain chips or tortilla chips for a crunch
Broccoli that has been roasted (it tastes wonderful even when cold)
Yellow slices of kiwi
Dried blueberries for a delicious taste

👉 “Safe” food recommend:Pirate's Booty Cheese Puffs (24-Pack)

Pirate's Booty Aged White Cheddar Cheese Puffs, Gluten Free, Kids Snacks, 0.5 Ounce (Pack of 24)

PHOTO: AMAZON

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A variety of colorful and visually appealing bento boxes filled with different snacks, sandwiches, fruits, vegetables, cookies, energy bars, cheese slices, and cold cuts arranged neatly on the table. The background is white to highlight each box's contents in bright colors, creating an attractive visual display for kids' lunchtime at school or work.

What else should you put in a school lunch except the main dish?

Need new ideas to put in your child's lunchbox? This is a list of sides and snacks by category that you can use to mix and match with your child's main meal. I like to include my kids in the process. Letting them choose a few things makes them more thrilled to consume what's in the box.

🍓 Fruits & Veggies

Fruits:

Strawberries (cut up and hulled for little kids)
Blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries
Pieces of watermelon or cantaloupe
Slices of kiwi
Slices of apple or pear (tip: add lemon juice to keep them from turning brown)
Peaches cut into pieces
½ banana (don't peel it to keep it from getting mushy)
Grapes, cut in half or quarters (I use a grape cutter to speed things up)

Vegetables:

Cucumber slices (peeled if you like; use a crinkle cutter to make creative shapes)
Cherry tomatoes cut in half or quarters
Carrots cut into little pieces or bell peppers cut into slices
Peas that snap or snow peas
Favorite Roasted Veggies:
Tucker's favorite food is sweet potatoes!
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Squash with zucchini

TIPS

Roast more vegetables for supper and then pack them up cold. They taste surprisingly good cold!

🧀 Dairy Picks

Laughing Cow wedges are easy to spread on crackers.
Cheese from Babybel (I occasionally peel off the wax or start it for small hands)
Little balls of mozzarella
Chunks or cubes of cheddar
Cheese on a string
Milk boxes that don't need to be refrigerated
We like Stonyfield Organic and Siggi's yogurt pouches.
Kefir pouches are a terrific choice for your intestines.

🍪 Homemade Treats & Snacks

Granola bars that don't have nuts in them or that are chewy
Yogurt muffins are a terrific way to get fruits or veggies into your diet.
Energy bites with Betty Lou's
Banana oatmeal cookies with three ingredients
Make your own trail mix (if your school doesn't allow nuts, use seeds and dried fruit).

Best Healthier Store-Bought Snacks

There were a lot of different packaged foods in the packed lunches I showed you above. I strive to be aware and look for healthier choices. These are some of our favorites.

1 GoMacro Macrobar Protein Bars