Packing school lunches five days a week is the ultimate test of emotional resilience. You think you have a great idea; you send the kiddos off to the bus stop…and the sandwich comes back half-eaten—or worse, traded for a Twinkie. Luckily, we have a batch of school lunch ideas that won’t leave you resorting to too many packets of Goldfish crackers and fruit gummies. Think make-ahead quesadillas, cold noodles, freezer-friendly handhelds, and plenty of snacks and treats to round out the lunchbox.
Some, like our miso-spiked take on PB&J and canned-tuna onigiri, take familiar lunch staples in a new direction. Others, including Jamaican beef patties and chicken quesadillas, can be prepped ahead so weekday mornings require little more than packing and going. Whether you’re looking for kids’ lunch ideas that can be eaten cold, leftovers that travel well, or something besides another sandwich, you’ve got options below.
Jump ahead
