15 Toddler Lunch Box Ideas: Easy & Packed

I can’t believe it’s already that time again. Back-to-school season is here! My little one is starting preschool this year (cue the tears), and to make it a bit more fun, I’ve been playing around with simple lunchbox ideas.

These lunches are perfect for school, daycare, a day out, or even just to make lunchtime at home a little more exciting.

Below, you’ll find easy lunch ideas with photos, what’s inside each box, my favorite lunchbox brands, and a few helpful tips for keeping everything fresh all day long.

Mini Pizza

Mini-sized meals are always a hit with little ones, and these mini pizzas are so easy to make. You can customize them any way you like, and they’re delicious whether served warm or cold.

Sandwich Lunch

What’s inside: Raspberry and Sunbutter sandwich, pretzels, edamame, clementine, yogurt.

Pesto or Hummus Pasta

Cook your favorite pasta and toss it with pesto or hummus. Add in any veggies or protein your child enjoys, like chicken, beans, or tofu. You can also try vegetarian pasta sauces that taste great even without reheating.

Quesadillas

You can never go wrong with a classic cheese quesadilla, but try giving it a veggie twist. Spread pizza sauce and a filling made with broccoli, spinach, and white beans onto a soft tortilla.

Cut into bite-sized pieces with kitchen shears to make them easier to eat. These can be made ahead and either reheated briefly in a toaster oven or enjoyed cold if your little one likes it that way.

Turkey Spinach Roll Ups

What’s inside: Turkey and spinach roll-up, cherry tomatoes, thin apple slices, Annie’s Organic Bunnies.

Vegetable Omelette

This veggie omelette quickly became one of my go-to meals because it takes less than five minutes to make using whatever vegetables you have on hand. It’s flexible, flavorful, and has the perfect texture for toddlers.

Pictured: orange and purple sweet potatoes and freeze-dried strawberries.

Pancakes and Waffles

Pancakes and waffles freeze so well, which makes them great for busy mornings. Simply thaw in the fridge overnight and serve as is, or turn them into sandwiches by spreading yogurt, cream cheese, or nut and seed butter.

You can also cut them into small pieces to make them easier to eat. Here are some toddler-friendly options: spinach pancakes, banana protein pancakes, beet pancakes, butternut squash pancakes, cheese waffles, mini waffles, vegetable waffles with peanut butter, and pumpkin waffles.

Muffin Lunch

What’s inside: Muffins (these are my chocolate veggie muffins), blueberries, yogurt, Annie’s Organic Bunnies, That’s It bar.

Broccoli Bites

You can make these broccoli bites with only five ingredients. They’re tasty, satisfying, and perfect for little hands to hold. Pictured: broccoli bites, cucumber, strawberries, hummus, and crackers.

Quesadilla

What’s inside: Quesadilla, cherry tomatoes, avocado, blueberries.

Banana Sushi

How cute is this banana sushi idea? Just spread some peanut butter or sunflower seed butter if it’s a nut-free school, add a banana, roll it up, and slice.

That’s all it takes. Pair it with veggies such as cherry tomatoes, carrot sticks, or cucumber, plus some fruit for a complete lunch.

Bagel

What’s inside: Bagel, cheese, yogurt, grapes, blueberries.

Pinwheel Sandwiches

These pinwheel sandwiches are fun, bite-sized, and perfect for little hands. You can fill them with all kinds of healthy ingredients like hummus, chicken, veggies, and cheese to create a balanced meal that’s both tasty and nutritious. Here are more sandwich ideas for toddlers.

Pizza Eggs

Eggs are such a simple, budget-friendly source of protein, and these pizza eggs are one of our favorites. You can serve them as is or turn them into a sandwich filling.

Just make the pizza eggs like you normally would, then place them between two slices of bread or inside a wrap for a fun twist.

Muffins

Muffins are always a win for toddlers. They’re easy to hold and full of flavor. Try any of these baby and toddler muffin recipes, then serve them with fruit or veggies and some protein like shredded or cubed chicken, hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, beans, tofu, or cheese.