Your little one might not be ready to grab their backpack and jump on the big yellow school bus but many parents of toddlers wonder what foods are good for packing for daycare, preschool and even family day trips. What better time to refresh your little one’s lunch box with a healthy kick than back to school time! Here are a few tips on creating healthy lunches for on the go kiddos.
Build a healthy lunch.
- Start by building a healthy lunch with the following valuable nutrients:
- Protein- Protein is essential in a growing child’s diet. Great lean sources of protein that are great for lunch boxes include: turkey slices, hard boiled eggs, string cheese, grilled chicken slices and milk. Nuts and seeds are also a source of protein and travel easily.
- Calcium– Calcium is important for strong healthy, bones. Milk, cheese and yogurt are loaded with calcium and all travel pretty well. Dried figs, nuts and seeds are also a good source of calcium. If your little one is not fond of dairy products try creating a yummy trail mix instead!
- Complex carbohydrates– Most adults cringe when they hear the word carbohydrates but they are actually a very healthy source of energy. Complex carbohydrates are great because they release energy over time rather than in a short boost. Try to choose whole grain products such as whole wheat breads, brown rice, whole grain cereals, pasta and legumes.
- Fruits and veggies– Try to add both a fruit and veggie to every lunch you pack. Some easy ideas include fresh cut fruit, dried fruits, 100% fruit juice, and cut veggies with dip. I like to use hummus, avocado dip or yogurt dip .
Is your little one bored with traditional sandwiches?
For a simple change, try using cookie cutters to create fun shapes. Another easy change includes putting the sandwich fillings into a fun wrap or pita half. For some ideas on sandwich fillings, try these delicious combinations or create some of your own!
- cream cheese and cucumber
- sliced turkey with lettuce and cranberry sauce
- Peanut butter and banana- monkey bites
- hummus with turkey and lettuce
- hummus with sliced cucumbers and grated carrots
- Turkey slices rolled around a string cheese
Include a variety of different foods in your child’s lunch box.
Packing a variety of foods will add interest and an element of surprise. Go for colorful foods which are much more interesting to a child. For example try, Summertime Pasta Salad, a yogurt parfait or kale chips.
Don’t forget to let your child help out in preparing their meals when possible. Let them spread the hummus on the sandwich bread, put the mini carrots into a small container and practice counting, or add ingredients when preparing salads. Kids are great helpers plus you are teaching them how to prepare healthy meals! Good luck in creating fun new lunch ideas for your little one!
What is your favorite thing to pack for lunches? *** GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED*** Leave a comment below and you will be entered for a chance to WIN Designed to Nourish™ Divided Plates, Feeding Bowls & Spatula Spoons. TEN winners will be randomly selected from all comments (U.S. residents only). Check back on Monday, September 10th when we will post the winners!
Here are the WINNERS: Michelle, Christina, Vartika, A T Lwin, Selena, Crystal, Mikheal, Cris, Kelly and Vinita. If you are one of the winners, you will be contacted by e-mail. Thanks to everyone for commenting! .
****
Michelle Johnson says:
August 31, 2012 at 10:28 pm
My twin boys love to eat cold steamed carrots, turkey in pita bread with guacamole (but they turn their noses up at plain avocado), yogurt smoothies, and sliced or frozen grapes :)
****
Christina says:
August 31, 2012 at 10:23 pm
My favorite thing to pack is pb&j sandwiches, yogurt, cheese, fruits and veggies. I usually make lunch fun. Ill make animals and cars.. flowers.. I love to do little things that my kids remember. And I always pack them a little note for the day :)
****
Vartika says:
September 1, 2012 at 1:43 am
Grilled Veggie and chicken wraps and deconstructed savory crepes
****
A T Lwin says:
September 1, 2012 at 1:10 pm
Whatever I pack my boys lunch, I just make sure there’re protein, vege and fruits in every meal. Nutella & Strawberries or Banana Sandwiches, Ham & Cheese Sandwiches, Yogurt & Fruits or granola, Ham & Vege Fried Rice or Noodles, Pasta olive oil & cheese/meat, etc.
****
Selena Dickherber says:
September 2, 2012 at 3:07 pm
Sandwiches and fruit along with a surprise treat!
****
Crystal A. says:
September 1, 2012 at 3:52 pm
Fancy cutout sandwiches with shapes and zero crust. cookie cutter homemade fruit roll ups. I usually add a muffin and veggie sticks.
****
Mikhael Reamer says:
September 1, 2012 at 1:42 am
Jelly Sandwiches cut out with cookie cutters are our fav!
****
Cris D says:
August 31, 2012 at 10:59 pm
I love the new Go Go Squeezes. They are really easy to tuck into a lunch bag.
****
Kelly Cusati says:
August 31, 2012 at 11:11 pm
carrot sticks, turkey on wheat, an apple, and a yogurt.
****
Vinita says:
August 31, 2012 at 10:33 pm
I make tortia rolls filled with rice and lots of veggies. My DD loves it.
Thank you for the chance!
Finger sandwiches pb and J, turkey or ham, cheese cubes and fruit, grapes, strawberries, blue berries
Sandwiches cut with cookie cutters, string cheese, fruits and veggies, milk, yogurt, cheese, etc! My boy eats everything!
Com
she loves peanut butter sandwiches & yogurt
I’d love to win the plates, bowls & spoons they look so neat! We love Dr. Browns! :)
I love packing a variety of vegetarian lunches: veggie wraps, pasta salads, cheese and crackers, etc.
Apple slices, sandwiches cut and of course a note!!!
We like wraps. I let the kids choose from a variety of healthy ingredients and they have to have at 3 different items, each a different color.
wraps, fruit and veggie mixes, homemade quinoa bread
I love packing apple sauce packets. My toddler loves them!
My favorite thing to pack is pb&j sandwiches, yogurt, cheese, fruits and veggies. I usually make lunch fun. Ill make animals and cars.. flowers.. I love to do little things that my kids remember. And I always pack them a little note for the day :)
My grandson is so picky he will only eat the small turkey and ham pieces .Small crackers I realize he is picky ,but whatever we can get him to eat is an accomplishment.
PB & J!!!
I love to pack turkey & veggie roll ups with fruit kabobs with yogurt dip & of course a little note to say “Have a great day” :)
thanks
I love packing fruits, pb&j sandwiches, yogurt and juice!
i like packing things that i can just throw in the lunch box(string cheese, pudding, individual packs chips/crackers) and then a pb&j of course.
Like the healthy choices
The foods that come in squeezable packets are the easiest to pack in the diaper bag, since they don’t need refrigeration and allow my toddler to self-feed on the go!
My twin boys love to eat cold steamed carrots, turkey in pita bread with guacamole (but they turn their noses up at plain avocado), yogurt smoothies, and sliced or frozen grapes :)
Cold beets from the garden steamed the night before. So good for you & tastes like candy!
Peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwich with applesauce(with veggies hidden in it) and some goldfish on the side
cut into small bites
I love all of the Dr. Browns products. I wish I had found them sooner so I could use them for everything with both my kids!
I would love to have this set for my triplets!!!
String cheese, grapes, baby carrots, pb&j
I love to send warm soup in a thermos and a love not from mom!!!
Sandwich, juice, fruit, and gummies.
Pb&j. Variety of fresh fruit. Yogurt. Water!!!
I make tortia rolls filled with rice and lots of veggies. My DD loves it.
Pb and j and baby carrots
Chilled apple slices, turkey wraps/ham wraps, water/juice
Love to pack wraps, fresh fruit and water.
My children love hummus, so I always pack it in their lunches along with pita chips, vegetables, etc to dip in it. I will also put turkey pinwheels, and their favorite fruits.
fresh fruit!
yogurt with fruit
I love to pack sandwiches, juice and something crunchy like chips or crunchy veggies.
My grandchild loves anything as long as it is made as a wrap! I can add spinach to his turkey wrap and he will eat it just as long as it is in the wrap!
veggies and fruit
Let Me Win!
I use flatbread to make sandwiches and use diluted food coloring to dye the bread fun colors…
PB&J, yogurt, water.
pasta
My little guy loves grape tomatoes and cucumbers. He also likes the fruit and veggie pouches which are soooo easy! pepperoni is a favorite protein as well as cheese cubes. Thanks for the additional ideas!
My son loves for me to pack string cheese.
sliced cheese on fish bread
Ham and cheese cut into fun shapes and ritz crackers. And ‘apple lips’
PB & J with fresh carrots, apples and pudding…and a water!
peas..fruit and vegy purees….
crushed apple and yogurt are my kids favourite
I Love to pack something new everytime , well every week it is new,,.. ex.,, new snacks in a bag gummy treats corncandies
my twin guys love fresh vegetables and fruits yogurt as well
My kid loves a ham and cheese sandwich. I usually let him buy lunch, though, it is much healthier.
I love the monkey bites idea! I like putting pb with apples :)
Of course lil sandwiches with lots of bite size pieces of fruits & veggies!
An extra snack with a note to cheer up their day! :)
Somethings she likes are Fruit purée, Veggie snack sticks, yogurt melts
I have always been a fan of ants on a log. My son isn’t old enough for the ants yet, but peanut butter and celery is a great snack for teethers.
I really enjoy coming up with new lunch idea. My son loves wraps. I pack lots of fruit and veggies and once a week a homemade treat.
he like his own plates and his own combinations of food
Fruit and a peanut butter sandwich.
Apples, raisins, crackers, carrots.
We love cute sandwiches and gogosqueeze
Whole wheat elbow pasta and small chunks of cheese, blueberries and graham crackers.
Peanut butter & jelly sandwiches.
I love the new Go Go Squeezes. They are really easy to tuck into a lunch bag.
Fruits and veggies, peanut butter, water, a goodie I made.
Love rolled up pieces of all natural turkey breast, cheddar cheese, and a schmear of mayo!
carrot sticks and fat free ranch dressing
My little girl loves sandwiches and pretzels :)
I love to pack pb &j
My favorite thing to pack for lunches is easy-to-make meals such as sandwiches, an apple or carrot, and a reusable bottle filled with water.
Fruits and veggies are great.
My kids love Tuna on croissants – no peanut butter – allergy free zone. Yogurt, fruit, hot soup & flavored water
carrot sticks, turkey on wheat, an apple, and a yogurt.
finger sammies
Homemade mini pizzas and chicken tacos are a fav of my oldest sons!! My younger two boys are still learning to eat with their utensils!
Pizza toppings on bagles or english muffins
This is soo cute !
PB&J and fruit
My daughter loves tuna fish sandwiches
I let my toddler help make her lunch, pb&j triangles, with yogurt and banana. she likes tortilla chips and humus to snack on
Fruit is a must everyday. Protein and dairy as well. We only eat whole grain bread. My daughter loves pb&j. Sometimes lunchables. And Keebler has smack packs with mini ritz,graham crackers,and cookies in it. But sweets are reserved for Fridays only. Otherwise she would eat them everyday.
My son loves a pbj and fruit and carrots
I don’t have lil ones in school yet, but i imagine I’ll be sending peanut butter and jelly with fruit (whole fruits) and string cheese and a home made treat!
grapes & string cheese!
apples with peanut butter is the best snack
Diy wraps. Wheat tortilla,cooked chicken strips, salsa and cheese. Apple slices and a fruit drink. My son loves making his own lunch at lunch time.
I use the cookie cutter everyday in both ham and cheese and the bread. I let the kids choose the cookie cutter which is important.
I like pack fresh vegetables with ranch dressing
I love to pack kiwi and apples.
Ham and cheese rolls are the boys favorite.
I like to pack fruits in child-friendly slices of course.
I like to cut sandwiches with cookie cutters, and also give my son lots of veggies with hummus and apples!
i don’t pack lunches yet for my baby, he is still too young. but when he is ready for some home made lunch, i will try to make sure to have some healthy hearty goodies in his lunch pack :)
Broccoli, carrots and blueberries.
I pack water, goldfish, strawberries, veggie straws, cheese cubes, turkey slices and puréed fruits and veggies.
I love packing apple slices, turkey and cheese sandwich and organic juice for my oldest son.. My twin boys will be one soon so for them I love packing homemade organic baby food and organic juice, feeding my children a healthy meal is one of my goals every day :)
These would be perfect for the grandchildren’s visits.
My daughter takes a wrap to school with her everyday
besides the note I always leave for my son, I always pack a sandwich cut into little squares, a fruit and a veggie…I try to make it as healthy as possible
I think it is vital to expose babies to as many different, healthy foods as possible. The more exposure to different fruits and vegetables: the more likely as adults they will eat a well balanced diet of a variety of foods.
Veggie and cold cut kabobs-usually with an olive on the ends.
Love Dr Brown!
My son loves his pb sandwiches in different shapes, we decide every morning which one it will be:)
Apple slices, Cheerios, a banana, PB&J cut into small pieces. Basically, nutritious finger-foods!
turkey and cheese wraps, fresh fruit and goldfish
String cheese and applesauce!
turkey wraps, apple slices, baby carrots and yogurt
Turkey, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado sandwich, and baby carrots with ranch dressing.
For lunch I’ll pack black beans with shredded cheese, apple slices and a new favorite is baba ganouch with pita chips.
Though organic foods are expensive, organic fruits and vegetables are worth the money and I love the idea of organic fruits and veggies with high protein vegetarian foods like hummus, peanut butter, etc.
Trail mix to put into yogurt with fruit. Yum
Colorful plates
I love these bowls and spoons! My baby will love them too!!
yogurt :)
Cucumber & Carrots with Hummous, delicious!
PB and J on whole wheat bread, his choice of fruit, and string cheese or yogurt.
I pack my toddler fruit squeezies, yogurt, cut up pieces of turkey breast, and little pieces of cheese.
I love Dr. Brown’s feeding products. I know my son will love the spoons!
Fruit in a pouch and cheese sticks!
Greek yogurt! Especially key lime
tortilla wraps with peanut butter and honey
Cheese sticks & ham
I make sandwiches cut with cookie cutters, carrots, yogurt, and Happy Tot non-apple pouches.
Apples & peanut butter
Fruit, veggies, yogurt, whole wheat crackers, meat and cheeses.
Cookie Cutter Sandwiches :D!! I have about 18 or more different cookie cutters that I can use. Heck I did this when I was little too haha.
If it isn’t the cookie cutter sandwiches then it has to be hummus with wheat pita bread!! Yum. Easy to make at home too.
My kids love juice or water,crackers or cookie,sandwich or wrap,fruits and veggies.
pb & j or turkey and cheese sandwiches, a yogurt and milk
I love packing a note telling them to have a great day that I love them and enjoy I always pack sammiches cut with cutters a yogurt drink and fruit such as grapes apples or mixed fruit with a carton of whole milk
I pack a sandwich along with some warm tomato soup, and a small salad. Most days there are cheese cubes with a few crackers and some kind of fruit that has been cut up for ease of eating.
turkey roll ups and apple slices with cubed cheese
Sliced apples!
I remember liking making gorp as a kid – mixing cereals, nuts, dried fruit together. Can pair with sandwich or yogurt and french carrots for dipping.
My daughter loves lunchables, so I pack a “healthier” version…meat cubes, cheese cubes, crackers, yogurt, or a sandwich cut out with cookie cutters in cute shapes. I also pack cut up fruit and my new fave are those applesauce smoothie pouches.
Cherries – fresh cherries. Of course I have to depit them
Carrot and celery sticks, grapes, cubed cheese, turkey sandwiches, and milk
My daughter loves grapes, turkey sandwich rolls and cheese!
great ideas :)
Almond butter with sliced strawberries on a flat roll.
A jelly sandwich, applesauce, goldfish crackers, and a bottle of water.
my great grandkids just love string cheese and yogurt
With a 8 month old who is learning to explore her foods, we love to pack finger foods, such as bananas, watermelon chunks, apple chunks and of course her favorite veggies of squash and carrots!!
With an 8 month old who is learning to explore her foods, we love to pack finger foods, such as bananas, watermelon chunks, apple chunks and of course her favorite veggies of squash and carrots!!
My son loves to take homemade chicken nuggets in his lunch for pre-k. They’re made with ground turkey and veggies, baked instead of fried, and I can freeze them in baggies with individual portions. I just pop a baggie in his lunch box, and they’re ready to eat when he is! Recipe is on my website http://www.whatswehavin.blogspot.com
A juice or water (depending on the weather), with an apple cut into slices, a yogurt (put into the freezer over night so it stays cold by lunch), and a pb&j (depending on time cut with a cookie holder or cut in 1/2).
Love dr. Browns bottles!!
I love to let my daughter pick between two things to make it fun. Her favorite is fruits of all sorts. :)
Avocado and beans in a whole-wheat tortilla are a favorite here!
Although my son is not in school yet, I make hi lunch daily. I love to make him PB and Banana sandwiches, I like the fact that I can sneak the fruit in! He also likes yogurt, cherries and grapes!
Fruits all day long are a favorite
ham sandwich, lays chips, oreo cookies and jungle juice
Favorite lunch in this household is turkey sandwich (sometimes with avocado), broccoli salad and blueberries.
Peanut butter to dip her bananas in, puréed veggie spread on her sandwich with cease and ham, apple juice box, sliced pears, grapes and apples.
Yogurt we love the lil go gurt type tube things so easy!
Jelly Sandwiches cut out with cookie cutters are our fav!
Cheese sticks, apple slices, bananas, and yogurt. We’re going to try peanut butter with the apples this year, and adding a lot more fruits and veggies to his repertoire.
Grilled Veggie and chicken wraps and deconstructed savory crepes
sandwiches and apple sauce
ham and cheese sandwich and apple slice
Peanut butter sandwich and banana
apple juice box and cheese cubes
For lunches my son prefers fruit (almost any kind), string cheese, crackers, and small sandwiches. He can be a little picky so I like the idea of using shapes to make sandwiches more interesting – I will have to give that a try.
Turkey, cheese and mustard on whole wheat bread, cut into shapes
Lots of wraps-turkey and cheese, pizza-
plus whole wheat crackers/pretzels, mandarin oranges or applesauce, milk and a treat!
Meat/cheese/crackers, fruit/veggie chunks, any finger foods!
A healthy variety of foods and a bottle of water.
yogurt
Fruit
We love humus and veggies
Peanut butter and jelly sandwhich, pretzels, yogurt,and and apple and milk.
Cheese Sticks and crackers
Packing healthy lunches for the teacher, my wife, and student, my son. Keeping them both healthy.
I love including crunchy veggies and fruit!
cheese quesadillas are a great choice for my little guy
With an 8 month old that loves exploring new foods, we LOVE bananas, watermelon chunks, apple chunks, and of course her favorite veggies, squash and carrots!!
2 year old… Chicken fries, fruit, cheese cubes…
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on whole wheat bread with a side of mixed fruits, yogurt and milk.
apples & wild squirrel nut butter honey and pretzel peanut butter!! yummm!!
Great timing for back to school….I’ll be using these next week!
I love making healthy chicken nuggets with ground chicken and pureed veggies. Just throw in an egg and bake it. You can refrigerate and cut them into fun shapes for a lunch box. Yes they are good cold.
I pack a lot of produce for my son. He loves cucumbers and apples.
New mom. still figuring out things! :D
Peanut butter and jelly and fresh veggies
Ham and cheese wraps and fruits and veggies.
Fruits and snacks
My favorite things to pack for lunches are organic peanut butter or almond butter spread on crackers. An apple and a stick of cheese.
Pb&j with fruit.
I love packing peanut butter, cheese sticks and yogurt!
Hummus, nonfat tzatziki an fun veggie and pita dippers. Fun, flavorful, low fat, high protein.
Lots of veggies and fruits and chicken!
I love giving my son a variety of foods. Ham and cheese sandwich, he loves chicken and turkey sausage. Cheese, different fruits and veggies!
i like packing things that i can just throw in the lunch box(string cheese, pudding, individual packs chips/crackers) and then a pb&j of course.
I love cutting PB&J sandwiches with cookie cutters for a fun shape, grapes, carrots and pudding snacks.
Vegetables and anything to dip them in with a slice of cheese.
We like string cheese with lunch meat wrapped around it and fruit kabobs!
I love packing fruits, smoothie, a sandwich
Sandwiches and fruit.
I like keeping lunches fun by cutting sandwiches and cheese into fun shapes using cookie cutters. I also keep snack time fun by having my little man help me make a healthy snack mix, and he eats it so much better when he has got to help with it.
My daughter loves soup, sandwich, fruit cups or apple slices, egg salad, pickles,Cucumbers,Carrots lol just about anything, so I always pack a variety
I love carrot sticks!
Any vegetable finger foods!
We love packing nutritious healthy snacks like grapes and baby carrots.
my daughter is just starting trying your brand
Yogurt….especially gogurt….kids love it! chicken tenders are a big hit, too!
I like to pack an assortment of fresh veggies and fruits, some cheese, lean protein such as turkey or chicken breasts, cheese or yogurt and some whole grain crackers.
We watch our twin nearly 2 granddaughter & grandson part time which is challenging. They don’t always eat they same thing but I offer tufkey and cheese squares, blueberries, kiwi, peas, and cheerios. They both love cottage cheese and yogurt
Pb&j, apple slices, turkey n cheese, carrots n celery, yogurt, whole grain crackers :)
I always pack delicious healthy food and snacks. It’s important to me to buy not only health foods, but also great tasting healthy foods so that my kids know that healthy doesn’t equal tasteless or bland.
Tubes of frozen yogurt!
My son thanks you for all the great ideas! This is our first year of packing lunches and I have little to no imagination when it comes to food. (Thank goodness he’s not so picky!) The one thing I know I will add to keep in healthy in other ways is a note from his momma telling him how proud I am of him and how much I love him!
Sandwiches, grapes, apples, carrots and dip, raisins.
Love to make special lunches in different shapes
Were pretty creative with my sons lunches, as he is Lactose, Gluten intolerant..pretty fun to come up with new ideas for school lunches as well as meals at home
Food shaped like something else (animal, flower, face, etc.)
apples, carrots apple juice and a turkey wrap..
The more color from natural foods my baby eats the healthier he will be.
Whatever I pack my boys lunch, I just make sure there’re protein, vege and fruits in every meal. Nutella & Strawberries or Banana Sandwiches, Ham & Cheese Sandwiches, Yogurt & Fruits or granola, Ham & Vege Fried Rice or Noodles, Pasta olive oil & cheese/meat, etc.
Tuna and avacado
I love rolling turkey and cheese together for a quick, healthy lunch! Add in some yogurt and apple slices and my daughter is left full and happy!
My son is not much of a bread eater. Anything we pack for lunch included whole grain crackers, instead of bread.
My kids love string cheese so that is a must, also I love to put in the individual servings of organic milk so I don’t have to worry about it staying cold enough!
sandwiches – no crust cut into fun shapes, and fruit
My daughter likes hummus with cucumbers and cherry tomatoes and pepper strips to dip in it.
I like to pack Graham crackers with peanut butter and jelly on them, fresh fruit, yogurt, and water :)
Applesauce packets and apple slices does it for my lil’ love!
My kids love Monkey bites and they also like fresh fruit. We recently made peanut butter cookies and the kids really enjoyed them (even though they were healthy!)
string cheese, graham crackers, individual servings of Elmo juice
Cranberry sauce on a sandwich? sounds…interesting…
My little one isn’t old enough for school yet but I have love little foodies. He eats hummus and pita bread all the time. He also likes fresh avocado chuncks and grape halves for lunch.
My son loves pb&j and nutella
mom’s home cooked alphabet soup, chicken panini, ham and cheese sub, artichoke cheese dip, slices of fruits like apple, cuties, orange, melon or fruit salad.
Fancy cutout sandwiches with shapes and zero crust. cookie cutter homemade fruit roll ups. I usually add a muffin and veggie sticks.
my son loves dried fruit in is lunches he thinks that they are candy !!!
She loves really any kind of sandwich,but I have to cut it with the cookie cutter!! Also,strawberry applesauce and crackers. And to top it off,V8 juice box.
There is nothing that I can say bad about Dr. Browns produces. I love them all. Love to win.
Fruit Kabobs, usually with strawberries and grapes. Sometimes with coconut, pineapple,kiwi,watermelon,orange,small piece of chocolate. Always can mix-it-up with cheese cubes, raisins, marshmellows,gummi bears, whatever is around!
Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches using cookie cutter shapes.
I like to pack bologna and cheese roll-ups..:)
mini carrots and fruit
Grilled ?Cheese topped with ham, turkey, honey mustard on honey rye
My little one is only a year old so I don’t have to pack lunches yet because I sit down and make them for her at home. What I do make is usually some sort of sandwich (either pb and j, cream cheese and jam, or turkey and cheese), a little bit of fruit or veggies, and some crackers.
Our son likes Veggie pizza.
We like to pack apple slices
Apple Slices, Peanut Butter on Crackers, Grapes
Thanks for the ideas everyone. My babies are a few years away from the school years, but these were great ideas.
Sandwiches in cute shapes and fruit.
Bacon sandwiches don’t spoil. PB with bacon are frequently requested in lunches.
Kids love PB aand J any way you fix it
My daughter loves PB & J cut into fun shapes
I like to pack the traditional pb & j
Ants on a log is good too and if u pack grapes cut them in half for little ones to help min. Chokeing
My son like turkey and cheese rolls, raisins, crackers
We love to do bagels not toasted with nutella sliced bananas and sliced strawberry’s our kids love them!! Makes for a great alternative to PB & J. We also love to do crackers with tuna and a side of apple sauce. Yes we are different but we love these lunch faves.
Fruit serving of apple slices, baby bell cheese, greek yogurt with raspberries and honey, carrot sticks, cucumber slices, pasta salad.
Sandwiches cut into houses! Always!
We like to pack fruit, pasta salad (noodles & veggies with Italian dressing or parmesan cheese), and squeeze yogurt (frozen).
I like those squeezable apple sauce packs, and grapes :)
finger sandwiches cut with cookie cutters and natural applesauce.
My son likes peanut butter and jelly cut into 4′s and jelly with a pretzel put in the middle to pick up and eat. :) fun eating
get a cool container that holds lots of different things!
cubes of cheese, slices of ham, crackers, fresh fruit or veggies with dip
a yogurt, sliced yellow pepper and a mini box of raisins
greek yogurt is a big hit these days, and ripe peaches!
my son requests the “uncrustable” honey and pb sandwiches :)
carrot and broccoli with ranch dressing dip
carrots and yogurt and some sort of meat. I try to give my grandaughter a well balanced lunch
Apple slices with pb. Pin wheels. Veggies with hummus.
We love to put apple slices and raisins in the kids lunch!
Roast beef with cheese on a flying saucer (hamburger bun)
Tuna sandwich or chicken salad with cantaloupe or strawberries and whole grain wheat crackers and caprisun roaring waters
Raisins and nuts definately as a snack, but as the entree for lunch – PB & homemade jam sandwiches, or salads made with a grain (couscous, barley, lentils, etc) grilled or roasted veg, and a little cheese.
My son is a big fan of string cheese and yogurt!
My toddler loves finger foods and won’t eat a sandwich so her preschool lunches look a lot like an appetizer tray! but she loves it and eats it all.
String Cheese all the way!
fruit and veggies
Sandwiches and fruit along with a surprise treat!
Ham lunch meat wrapped around cheese sticks, whole grain Cheesits, green pepper slices and ranch and strawberries with cool whip.
I pack a spinach salad on my work days.
Hummus with veggie dippers like red pepper strips, celery sticks and baby carrots.
Hummus and Veggies
New one we tried… Toast (cheese bread tastes amazing) with mozzarella cheese melted in between and dipped into pizza or marinara sauce!
I like the OM lunch maker kits.
I love packing a snacky lunch full of yougurt, fruit, nuts, and other easy items that taste down right delish!
Anything healthy and light! Subway.
love this idea
string cheese
I love to pack sandwiches, applesauce, steamed veggies, string cheese.
Pb and j, goldfish, fruitcup, Capri sun
my kids love string cheese and applesauce!!
We pack sandwiches, plain deli meat, cheese sticks, grapes, applesauce pouches and sometimes Clif Z-bars.
Love Dr browns products .Used it for my first one and cannot wait it to use it for my second one arriving soon
Dr. Browns bottles are the only kind my son can use. I absolutely love them. I haven’t seen anything like this in stores near where I am, I would absolutely love to have them. I hope I am picked. I always do these things and never win. Please, my 7 month old son would put everything to good use lol.
PBJ, apple slices, veggies and hummus
Regular lunch box items take on a different star quality when made special by making them smaller. Sandwiches cut with cookie cutters, veggies sliced up in cute cups with a side of dipping sauce, fruit sliced up with small cookie cutters!!! Presentation really does make all the difference.
I really like the idea for wrapping turkey slices around a cheese stick! Didn’t think about that one.
I always pack pb&j. That is the one thing that my daughter is guaranteed to eat everyday. I like that the peanut butter provides protein and I only use real fruit as jelly which sneaks in a serving of fruit.
My daughter loves crackers and cheese.
would love to win this for my kiddos!
mushed carrots and peas and apple juice
i pack vegetables and fruit
I pack apple slices and cheddar cheese cubes
I pack all the essential yummies. Fruits, cheeses and crackers :)
Baby carrots for my daughter, she loves them.
My favorite thing to pack in lunches is turkey sandwich, applesauce, and carrot sticks with ranch dipping sauce. Deliciousness with all the food groups involved! :D
sweet potatoes, ham cubes, apples
One of my sons favorite wraps are made from a 6 inch flour tortilla, with a hummus spread across it (we like the spicey red pepper) and raw veggies.. green peppers, onions, cucks. The kids love it & it’s refreshing!
:)
My son is 5 1/2 months old so we’re still in mushy foods! :) He gets cereal at lunchtime when he’s home with Grandmom, and dinner time he gets fresh food made with love by Mommy! So far he likes sweet potatoes and squash, apples are next!
Cheese, apples and blueberries!
cheese and apples
Peanut butter and jelly with no crust is a perfect lunch item to pack! Along with some string cheese and an apple, you can’t go wrong with that!
We aren’t quite on food yet, but we love our Dr Brown’s bottles!!
I love to pack peanut butter!
LOVE Dr. Brown’s bottles! Can’t wait to try the plates and such! Hope we win!
Gold Fishies.
vegetables that they like
Sandwiches cut in fun shapes, fruit and raisins!
mine like leftover sweet potato casserole..eaten cold!
always pack fresh fruit and veggies
My picky eater is hard to pack for. Thanks for the ideas…and the giveaway!!
Grest ideas, thanks so much for the article and tips
Thank you!
WE LOVE DR. BROWNS!!! Would love to win the set of plates and silverware to go with it!!
We love Dr. Browns Bottles that’s the only kind we have used and ever plan on using..I would love to win plates and silverware to go with it…
Dr. Browns bottles are the only bottles that worked for our colicy son. He is now almost 17 months old and healthy and happy. He loves yogurt and grilled cheese, but he is a very picky eater. Always looking for new plates and spoons and these look great! Can’t wait to try them out.Thank you for being such a great company with great products.
I love to pack carrot sticks, celery sticks, and cucumbers along with berries and apples. I try to stick with as less processed as possible. And my son loves to eat these too! Thanks Dr. Brown :)
i pack fruit and veggies for lunch
veggies!!
i like to pack apple slices and carrots
I love to pack a sandwich option, fruit, and veggies, and of course a snack too!
yogurt with fresh fruit. fresh veggies with ranch dressing
I like to pack healthy snacks. A whole fruit. Cheese and a salad with chicken. Water and a low sugar treat for dessert.
My lil guy loves peanut butter and bananas – never thought about putting them together…will have to try this soon!
We’re not packing lunches just yet!
Homemade lunchable pizzas are definitely a favorite :)
I love making organic baby food. My son is the best eater. He makes me feel like I am a great cook =) His favorite things to eat is a fresh fruit yogurt parfait. It easy to pack and easy to eat.
a water pod she doesnt need unecessary sugary drinks
i like to pack veggies and fruit
Just bought my baby rice cereal for the first time today so he’s not into packed lunches yet! His daddy, however, loves celery pieces with peanut butter for lunch.
Thank you Dr. Browns for the wonderful items you make!
My daughter loves cherries! My son loves soup in a Thermos container. It’s a nice switch from sandwiches.
pb&j sandwich with chips on it–yumm
My little guys favorite snack is bananas rolled in rice krispies! He says num num num while he eats it and he’s 20 months old!
My little one lunchbox includes pureed fruit or veggie, rice cereal and 2 bottles of breastmilk.
My 2 years old lunch consist of PB&J,a fruit, a veggie and a pudding snack.
Carrot sticks with ranch dressing
veggies and fruit cups
i like to pack fruits, veggies and nuts
I like to make something out of the dinner leftovers. Thanks!!
I like to pack sandwiches or wraps
I love to pack sandwiches with fruit
Nutella sandwiches.
Organic yogurt and turkey and cheese sandwich.
Color is key, bringing variety of textures as well. Thanks for the tips Dr. Brown’s!
I love to pack wraps!
Fruit salad and sammiches
Turkey sandwich and a debbie snack :)
Peanut butter and celery sticks
my son loves ham and cheese sandwiches,carrot sticks and fruit
Sandwich and fruit
My daughter loves PB&J but sometimes I give her a lunchable instead just to surprise her and give her a treat.
i like to put strawberries and yogurt in the lunches!
I love to pack fruit and fruit dip.
I like to pack fun shape sandwhiches
Bagels & cream cheese are usually a hit.
I like to pack ham and cheese roll ups.
I like to pack sandwiches, sliced apples, oranges and homemade Chocolate Chip cookies when I make them.
protein filled foods. i try to lay off the carbs so they aren’t sleepy
I like packing lunches with crackers and cheese.
I love to pack sandwiches and string cheese or yogurt!
she loves string cheese and carrot sticks