We’re keeping things fun and fresh with our new mix-and-match approach to packing lunches this school year. Perfectly customizable, having these nine things on hand will give you countless ideas for lunches your kids wouldn’t even think of trading!
- Meat and cheese skewers. Ham, turkey, salami, leftover steak—you name it! Cubing deli meat or leftover dinner mains and chunks of cheddar or Swiss makes for a filling protein-rich lunchbox.
- Crackers. Easy enough to eat on their own or use as the base for a cracker sandwich, kids will never complain with a handful/stack of crackers. If you’re looking for a great gluten-free option, we can’t get enough of Food Should Taste Good’s brown rice sea salt crackers.
- Mini pepperoni. Delicious by the handful, added to leftover pasta salad or sprinkled over a mini pizza boat (!), these cuties prove that sometimes size really does matter.
- Cereal. We know we’re not the only ones who love cereal any time of day, and a cup of your kid’s favorite cereal can be the perfect comfort midday snack or treat if you go the sweeter route.
- Fresh fruit. It’s as easy as including a tiny clementine or a banana, but we especially love to pack frozen grapes so they keep cool until lunchtime, because who doesn’t love cold fruit?!
- Go-Gurt. Another lunchbox staple, Go-Gurt is perfectly portable and easy to freeze, acting as a makeshift icepack to keep things cool.
- Yogurt- and chocolate-covered raisins. These classic snacks are a must. Covered pretzels and nuts work too!
- Tiny veggies. Keep healthy veggies cute and easily pop-able for small hands with baby carrots, sugar snap peas and grape tomatoes (ranch for dunking is always a good idea!).
- Cookies. Our shortcut cookies are a cinch to bake and freeze, making pulling a couple out of the freezer to pack in a lunchbox an effortless extra-special treat.