Lunch and Snack Ideas

This is my first year as a parent who packs lunches! I’ve learned so much thus far. I thought I would share it with you all. I will share some of my favorite lunch items to get as well as some preparation hacks and tips! I would love to hear some of yours! I reached out to close friends and family and have shared some of their favorite ideas, too! You could easily adapt these ideas to feed a group of children within a center or in your child care.
The best thing I’ve learned is that a lunch box doesn’t have to be the typical sandwich with a side. There are so many fun ways to get all of the necessary grains, protein, fruits, and veggies.
A few other tips and hacks:
Use leftovers, especially if kids have access to a microwave, or if it’s something they enjoy cold, like pizza or pasta.
If you haven’t made overnight oats, oatmeal muffins, or protein balls; find some recipes and try them! They are easy, healthy, and delicious!
Plan your lunches like you plan meals for the week. I like to plan and grocery shop for the week on Sundays so on Monday I’m prepared.
Create a system that makes packing lunches quick and easy for you! It took me most of the school year to get it down but now I can throw a few lunches together in fifteen minutes.
Let your children be involved in food preparation! There are so many amazing opportunities to talk about where food comes from, how it’s made, who makes it, etc. Also, learning to prep and cook food is a skill that lasts a lifetime.
Pick a good lunch box that works for the way you pack lunches! I like to pack yogurt and sauces so we use a bento box that is leak and spill proof when it’s closed up.
Try new foods in small increments and make sure to pair them with something you know your child will like and be sure to eat.
Watch for choking hazards! When in doubt, cut everything extra small to be safe.
Check with the school or business for allergies.

Proteins
Beans
Beef Jerky
Chicken Salad
Chickpeas
Cream Cheese
Deli Meat
Egg Salad
Hard boiled egg
Hummus
Meatballs
Oatmeal or Overnight Oats
Peanut Butter (or seed / nut butter)
Protein Balls
Smoked Salmon
Sliced or string cheese
Tofu
Turkey Jerky
Tuna
Yogurt
Fruits
Apple slices or sticks
Apricots
Half of a banana or banana slices
Berries
Cantelope
Cherries
Dragonfruit
Figs
Grapes
Kiwi
Mandarin oranges or orange slices
Mango
Peaches
Pears
Pineapple (I buy canned things so we can have them in the winter or when they’re out of season!)
Plums
A smoothie with a spoon to eat like yogurt
Watermelon
Vegetables
Avocado
Beets
Bell Peppers
Broccoli
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Cherry Tomatoes
Corn
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Leeks
Mushrooms
Peas
Pickles
Salad
Snap Peas
Carbohydrates
Bagel
English Muffin
Couscous
Crackers
Croissants
Naan bread
Pasta / Noodles
Pasta Salad
Pancakes
Pretzels
Ravioli
Rice
Rice Cakes
Sandwich bread
Tortilla
Surprises and Treats
Banana Bread
Chocolate covered raisins
Gummy bears
Kid Vitamins
Mini Cookies
Muffins
Popcorn
Semi sweet chocolate chips
Trail mix with M&Ms or candies
Yogurt covered berries

Meghan is a born and raised Montanan, mama to a rambunctious toddler and a bonus mom to two amazing preteens. She recently earned a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education. In addition to her position as an Early Childhood Specialist at the University of Montana, Meghan enjoys a variety of odd mix of jobs; nannying, creating and selling travel play dough kits, making essential oil blends for kids, providing families with child guidance on Facebook and Instagram, and now providing ideas and tips to child care providers in partnership with Raise Montana! Meghan is also a content contributor for 406 Families, a site dedicated to connecting families to local events and resources.