100 School Lunch Box Ideas - What Oh What to Make?

  

Though it may in fact be "the most wonderful time of the year" once school starts back up, most of us dread the thought of making school lunches. I can't lie, that's one of the reasons I look forward to
summer holidays! LOL So I totally hear you!  And that's why I've created this list to help us all keep our sanity during the school year!

Simply print off this list and either stick it on your fridge, tape it to the inside of one of your cupboard doors, or put it wherever else you can post it for easy access. This way, you will always have a handy list of what you can either plan for, or create out of what you already have in your fridge, freezer and pantry! Or you can use this list to plan your school lunches ahead of time so that you always have the ingredients that you need!

Let's get started!  

COLD ENTREES 

Breads:

• Loaf Bread (White, Whole Wheat, Rye, Pumpernickel, Cheese Loaf, etc)
• Sweet Breads (Raisin Loaf, etc)
• Bakery Buns (Check out various buns at your local bakery/grocery store)
• Pitas (White, Whole Wheat)
• Tortillas (Check out different varieties of flavoured tortillas)
• English Muffins
• Croissants
• Bagels (Various flavours, both sweet and savory)

Sandwich Fillings:

• Deli MeatsCanned Meats
• Canned Fish
• Spreads (Jam, Jellies, Nut-Free Peanut Butter, etc)
• Cheese or Cheese Spreads
• Grilled Chicken or other meat
• Grilled Veggies (Zucchini, eggplant, peppers, onions, mushrooms,etc)
• Chicken Salad (Minced meat with mayo, chopped onion, etc)
• Turkey Salad (Minced meat with mayo, chopped onion, etc)
• Egg Salad (Minced egg with mayo, chopped onion, etc)
• Fried Egg

  

Other Cold Entree Ideas: 

• Deconstructed Sandwiches (Pack everything separately)
• Cold Pizza
• Cold English Muffin Pizzas
• Quesadillas (Plain cheese, canned beans, refried beans, meats, tuna, veggies, etc)
• Tacos (Hard or soft shells, refried beans, meat, cheese, tomatoes, etc)
• Burritos (Refried beans, meat, cheese, tomatoes, etc)
• Tortillas (With cream cheese, shredded carrots and dried cranberries)
• Tortillas (With a whole banana and nut-free peanut butter, jam, etc)
• Hard-Boiled Eggs (Check out these egg molds! Guaranteed to please your kids!)
• Salads (If you are lucky enough to get your kids to eat salad!)
• Macaroni or Potato Salad

  

HOT ENTREES FOR A THERMOS 

• Macaroni & Cheese (Homemade, boxed, frozen - if there is a microwave)
• Canned Pasta and Sauce (Chef Boyardee, Alphagetti, etc)
• Pasta with Homemade Sauce
• Pasta with Butter and Parmesan
• Chicken Fingers & Fries
• Hot Dogs/Turkey Dogs/Soy Dogs
• Pogos
• Soups or Chili
• Porridge
• Any kind of leftovers that your child likes

FRUIT

• Grapes
• Berries
• Apples (Spritz lemon juice on slices so they don't brown!)
• Asian Pears (Spritz lemon juice on slices so they don't brown!)
• Pears (Spritz lemon juice on slices so they don't brown!)
• Bananas
• Oranges
• Melons
• Kiwi
• Fruit Cups
• Canned Fruit
• Dried Fruit (Try not to offer these all the time, as they can cause cavities!)
• Applesauce

  

  

VEGGIES

• Carrots
• Cucumbers
• Celery (Try "bribing" them by putting Cheese Whiz & raisins inside each stalk if they can't stand it! LOL)
• Peppers
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Raw Zucchini (We tell our kids that it's a different kind of cucumber - works like a charm! LOL)
• Snap Peas/Snow Peas

  

DIPS

• Salad Dressing (Ranch & Caesar are the most popular, or other dressing of choice)
• Marinara Sauce
• Honey Mustard Sauce (Just mix honey and regular yellow mustard together!)
• Tomato Salsa
• Cucumber Salsa
• Guacamole (Wrap it so there isn't any air on it or the discolouration might turn kids off!)
• Hummus (Cruise the hummus section to check out their various flavours!)
• Nut-Free Butters
• Tzaziki
• Baba Ganoush
• White Bean Dip
• Caramel Dip for Fruit

SAVOURY SNACKS

• Cheese (Processed slices, hard cheese slices or chunks, Cheesestrings, flavoured cheeses, Babybel)
• Rice Cakes
• Bread Sticks
• Crackers
• Pretzels
• Chips
• Popcorn
• Nuts & Bolts
• Pickles (Dill, Sweet, etc)

  

SWEET SNACKS

• Nut-free Granola Bars
• Cereal Bars
• Yogurt Cups/Tubes
• Yogurt with Fruit/Berries & Nut-Free Granola 
• Nut-Free Trail Mix
• Rice Krispy Squares
• Date Squares & Other Dessert Squares
• Cookies
• Pudding
• Dried Fruit/Berries (Try not to offer these all the time, as they can cause cavities!)
• Muffins

  

DRINKS

• Water
• White Milk (If sending in a cup, freeze 1/2 full and top it up in the morning so it's cold for lunch!)
• Chocolate Milk (If sending in a cup, freeze 1/2 full and top it up in the morning so it's cold for lunch!)
• Juice Boxes
• Lemonade
• Coconut Water (You can get flavoured coconut water for those kids who aren't keen on it!)

Bon Appetit! :)

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****