37 Easy School Lunch Ideas That'll Your Kids Will Be Excited to Eat
These meals are easy to pack and easier to eat!
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Kick off the school year with some school lunch ideas your kids will actually look forward to eating. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches will always be a classic, but switching things up with pretzel-wrapped hot dogs or cute bite-sized calzones can make lunchtime something to get excited about. Add in more easy lunch recipes like our favorite pasta salads, sweet sides like homemade applesauce, or a tasty dessert (don't skip Ree Drummond's famous chocolate chip cookies!), and you'll have a happy kid on your hands. We've even included recipes like slow cooker turkey chili that you can prep the night before to make those busy mornings a little less hectic. You'll have lunch packed and everyone out the door in no time!
With four kids of her own, Ree has prepared her fair share of school lunches over the years, so it's safe to say that she's a bit of a pro when it comes to packing a lunch that kids, teenagers, or even picky eaters will love. For instance, Ree’s chicken quesadillas, pepperoni pizza rolls, and make-ahead sandwich roll ups are always a hit. When it comes to something sweet, we have nostalgic favorites and bake sale treats like iced oatmeal cookies and homemade zucchini bread that you can try. Then, once school is let out, you’ll want to save our easy recipes for after-school snacks and kid-friendly dinners that the whole family will love.
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Instead of a classic ham and cheese sandwich, try these cute, bite-sized pinwheels in your kid's lunchbox! They're flaky and cheesy with an added layer of ranch dressing.
Get the Ham and Cheese Pinwheels recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Muffins
These muffins are an anytime treat. Whether or not you add the cream cheese icing, their spiced flavor and sweet cinnamon-sugar coating are sure to be a hit.
Get Ree's Pumpkin Spice Muffins recipe.
Chicken Tortellini Soup
This twist on chicken noodle soup is made with cheesy tortellini pasta instead! It's the perfect cozy lunch to add to your kid's thermos.
Get the Chicken Tortellini Soup recipe.
Homemade Applesauce
Back-to-school season is also apple season! So after a trip to your local apple orchid, try making this childhood favorite. You can doctor it up with various warm spices or even a bit of maple syrup.
Get Ree's Homemade Applesauce recipe.
Air Fryer Taquitos
Put leftover shredded beef from dinner the night before to good use with this easy recipe for crunchy taquitos. You can pack them wih a side of guacamole for dipping!
Get the Air Fryer Taquitos recipe.
Homemade Dunkaroos
This adorable treat was popular back in the '90s, but the homemade version will have your kids jumping for joy. The mini animal-shaped cookies and marshmallow fluff frosting are so much fun to eat.
Get the Homemade Dunkaroos recipe.
Beet Hummus
It's healthy, flavorful, and oh-so colorful! Pair this hummus with veggie sticks or pita chips for a pop of brightness in your kid's lunchbox. It would also make for a tasty spread on a hummus and veggie wrap.
Get the Beet Hummus recipe.
Yogurt Parfaits
Get your kids to help build these yogurt parfaits! They can add their favorite fruits and granola. But best of all, they can feel good about helping make their own lunch!
Get the Yogurt Parfaits recipe.
Tomato Sandwich
Use up the rest of your summer tomatoes with this simple sandwich idea. It only takes 5 minutes to whip up!
Get the Tomato Sandwich recipe.
Tea Sandwiches
Even kids who turn their noses up at crusts can't resist tea sandwiches. They're little, cute, and completely customizable for picky eaters. Honestly, anything bite-sized tends to magically disappear by lunchtime.
Get the Tea Sandwiches recipe.
Football Cereal Treats
You don’t need a big game to score points with your kids. These football-shaped cereal treats are a guaranteed lunchtime touchdown. Plus, they'll make your kid the most popular player at the cafeteria table!
Get Ree's Football Cereal Treats recipe.
Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is a sneaky way to get a few extra veggies into lunch boxes. Bow ties are fun, easy to eat, and somehow more exciting than regular noodles. Kids approve, every single time.
Get the Bow Tie Pasta Salad recipe.
Ham Sandwich with Quick Pickles
Even the simplest ham sandwich feels special when you add homemade quick pickles. It takes about five extra minutes, but suddenly you're not just making lunch, you're Mom of the Year.
Get Ree's Ham Sandwich with Quick Pickles recipe.
Tortellini Pasta Salad
Tortellini for lunch feels a little fancy without being complicated. Toss it with fresh veggies, a quick dressing, and you've got a lunch that makes them feel grown-up enough to finish the whole thing.
Get the Tortellini Pasta Salad recipe.
Blackberry Smash Sweet Tea
Swap out juice boxes and sodas for a homemade sweet tea. Fresh blackberries give this drink a delicious fruity twist, and it's a refreshing surprise your kids will actually get excited about.
Get Ree's Blackberry Smash Sweet Tea recipe.
Chicken Salad Sandwich
A chicken salad sandwich is so comforting, and Ree's version is the best around! No kid will be able to resist.
Get Ree's Chicken Salad Sandwich recipe.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
When in doubt, chocolate chip cookies solve everything. Slip one or two into the lunchbox for a sweet and chewy midday surprise.
Get Ree's Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Need a dip kids actually like? Roasted red pepper hummus is creamy, mild, and pairs perfectly with crunchy veggies or crackers. It's also secretly nutritious, but we won't tell if you don't.
Get the Roasted Red Pepper Hummus recipe.
Chicken Pasta Salad
This recipe combines two lunchtime favorites: pasta salad and chicken salad. The sweet grapes and crunchy celery really make this creamy dish pop.
Get the Chicken Pasta Salad recipe.
Mini Calzones
These bite-sized calzones are basically like mini pizza pockets! The sausage and cheese filling makes them perfect for dipping in marinara sauce.
Get the Mini Calzones recipe.
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