Fun and easy lunch box ideas for big and little kids

It’s that time of year again – back to school madness. The new school year brings the joy of your little ones bounding off to learn, grow, and devour the contents of their lunch box. But we know all too well that figuring out lunch ideas for kids can be downright exhausting.

Whether your munchkins are still in kindergarten or navigating the halls of high school, Bakers Delight have dough-lightful school lunch box ideas that will keep things fresh this school year.

What do you put in a lunch box?

Kids need a bit of everything to fuel their growing bodies. The perfect lunchbox should be a rainbow of tasty and inviting foods that strike a balance of slow-release (low GI) carbohydrates (e.g. bread, rice, pasta), protein (e.g. eggs, cheese, chickpeas, yoghurt), colourful fruits and veggies, and a sprinkle of good fats (e.g. avocado or hummus).

Packed lunch ideas should also be convenient and easy to eat. After all, you want to make sure they have plenty of time to play or catch up with friends. You’ll also want to check your school’s allergy rules, avoiding any nutty situations.

Lunch box ideas for kindergarten kids

For your little ones, it’s all about making things fun and bite-sized. Every kid knows that triangle sandwiches taste better than the boring square, so get creative with shapes by using cookie cutters to craft their sandwiches into a fun feast. 

Another easy idea for your little one’s lunch is to make it colourful. Pack an assortment of fruits and vegetables and bring their lunch to life. Whether it’s a bright Rainbow Sandwich, or a mini fruit platter, colour can bring a whole new level of excitement to lunch time. 

Finally, little fingers appreciate little snacks, so for easy grab and go kindergarten lunch box ideas our Mini Cheesymite Scrolls and Mini Cheese & Bacon Rolls fit the bill. You can even arrange small portions of different foods into a bento box, giving them plenty of variety. 

Lunch box ideas for kids

School-aged munchers can be a tough crowd to please, but fear not, we’ve got tricks up our sleeves. As they grow, so too do their appetites, so level up to a full size Cheesymite Scroll or a Ham and Cheese Danish. Not only are they an easy lunch idea for kids, it will also keep your youngsters fueled and ready to conquer the playground. 

Keep the lunchbox game strong with a variety of colourful and nutrient-packed foods, and a focus on fun presentation. Get creative and re-brand the usual lunchbox suspects by presenting them in a new way. From deconstructed Sandwich Skewers, to Quick & Cheesy Sausage Rolls, there’s plenty of ways you can put a spin on an old classic.

While they may be a little beyond fun cut-outs, you can still get creative with their lunchbox presentation. Arrange fruit slices and crackers to create a mini-edible arrangement, or roll up deli meats, cheese and veggies for playful presentation. 

Lunch box ideas for teens

Navigating highschool lunch box terrain can be tricky, they’ll need bigger bites, and might want to play with more complex flavours. 

Upgrade the classic lunchbox sanga to a gourmet sandwich. Let them play with textures and flavours, using ingredients like pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, cheeses and deli meats. 

Ready for another game-changing hack? Empower teens to assemble their own lunches by creating a dedicated pantry shelf stocked with lunch box essentials. Include things like popcorn, bread rolls, dried fruit, and muesli bars. Likewise, dedicate a fridge shelf with zip-lock snack bags of cut veggies and fruit, scrolls, and a selection of delicious pizzas. This not only makes life easier for you, but curating lunch ideas for teens ensures that even the most disorganised teen can assemble a decent lunch without the classic “there’s nothing to eat” outcry.

Quick school lunch box ideas for all ages

So, there you have it, ideas for kids of all ages – from tiny tots to teens – that’ll make creating the daily lunchbox a cinch this year! Crafting the perfect lunchbox takes more than just the food that fuels them, it’s also about having the right equipment for the job. Invest in insulated lunch boxes and those nifty containers with sections to keep things fresh and separated to avoid food mingling. You can also add a DIY lunch box ice pack to their packed lunch so that it stays cool through the Aussie summer.

Source: My Kitchen Escapades

Last but not least, remember that your local Bakers Delight is your go-to destination for all your back-to-school lunch needs-from freshly baked goods to snackable delights, we’ve got you covered. Here’s to a year filled with delicious school lunch ideas and happy, well-fed kids!