How do you feel about packing lunches? Do you live for creating the perfectly curated bento or does it feel like more of a chore? Do your kids prefer variety or gravitate towards the same things every day?
(These are the bento boxes we used in this post. Since this was originally published, we've also fallen for these!)
I try for 80% of their lunch to be things I know they'll love and then the other 20% things that I would like for them to try. A little sweet surprise is a must. What are your go-to lunch ideas? I'd love to hear!
Monday:
- Sweet Potato and Cheese Quesadilla
- Wild Rice
- Annie’s Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks
- Black Beans
Tuesday:
- Whole Wheat Bagel Pizzas with halved Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
- Sliced Cucumbers
- Annie’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites
- Mixed Berries
Wednesday:
- Scrambled Eggs
- Annie’s Organic Berry Bunnies Cereal
- Turkey Sausage
- Peeled Clementines
Thursday:
- Annie’s Bunny Pasta with Yummy Cheese and Green Peas
- Blueberries
- Grilled Chicken
- Carrot Sticks
Friday:
- Celery Sticks and Apple Slices
- Almond Butter
- Cheddar Cheese Cubes
- Annie’s Chewy Granola Bars
Snack Ideas for School-Aged Kids:
- popcorn
- pretzels
- carrots
- apples with almond butter
- cucumbers
- dried mango
- mini rice cakes
- yogurt covered pretzels
- tortilla chips
- trail mix
- pears
- almond butter squeeze pouches
- mini muffins
- applesauce
- bananas
- dried cherries
- energy balls
- turkey rolls ups
- raisins
- clementines
- fruit leather
- snap peas
- carrots and hummus
- mini naan and hummus
- mini bagel with cream cheese
- drinkable yogurt
- granola
- granola bar
- cheese sticks
- cereal
- tortilla roll ups with peanut butter and banana
- squeeze pouches
- blueberries
This post was originally published in 2018.
Photography by Aaron Pinkston
Bento Boxes available here
Jennifer says
I love Annie's!
JenniferEffortlessly Sophisticated
Jen Pinkston says
We do, too! xx
Jennifer says
Does your daughter eat things like the quesadilla and pasta cold or does her school warm them up? I've been trying to figure out what to send with my son but his school won't microwave so been stuck trying to figure out good options and containers.
Jen Pinkston says
That's a really good question. They don't heat them up, either, but she normally doesn't mind eating things cold. Since this will be our first foray into school lunches it will be really interesting to see what and how much she eats while she is there.
Jonel says
I don't have anyone to pack a lunch for but those could be modified for me! 🙂 Where are the containers from? Adorable post.
Jen Pinkston says
You totally could! Just updated the post with a link at the bottom for the bento boxes-- a lot of people have been asking on Instagram, too! Xo
Kay schoening says
Such great ideas!
Kay schoening says
Such great ideas! Such cute girls!
Jen Pinkston says
I think so, too 🙂