Tired of the same PB&J every day for lunch? Try out some of our favorite non-sandwich, healthy lunch ideas your kids will absolutely love. Feeling inspired by the Bento Box lunch, many of these recipes include smaller portions than a traditional sandwich, so you have more space in the lunch bag for complimentary, healthy snacks.

Don’t forget to check out 13 adorable ways to make your kids’ lunches special.

Kids Lunch Ideas That Aren’t Sandwiches

1. Pizza Pinwheels

Who doesn’t love pizza? This pizza pinwheel recipe is so easy to make and create perfectly pop-able, perfectly delicious lunches! The best part is everyone loves cold pizza, so you can make these as a side for dinner and throw the leftovers into the lunchbox for the next day. Pro tip: sneak in some veggies!

2. Chicken Salad served with Crackers

Now this is just as delicious for an adult snack as it is for a kids lunch, so be sure to make extra! This chicken salad recipe throws in cranberries, apples, and pecans making is just sweet enough to keep kids interested.

3. Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs

Oh yes, now you can send your kids off to school with mini bacon cheeseburger skewers! Can you say “most popular kid in class”? Because that’s exactly what’s about to happen.

4. Homemade Lunchables (Tacos, Cheeseburgers, Pizza!)

Lunchables are AMAZING, but often not the healthiest option to send with your kids to school (even if they do beg for them daily). So why not satisfy their cravings and add in additional fruits and veggies with DIY Lunchables?

5. Ham and Cheese Roll Ups

When you’re trying to pack lunches, get kids out the door, and get ready yourself, easy is key. These Ham and Cheese roll-ups are the perfect quick alternative to your daily sandwiches.

6. Kid-Friendly Pasta Salad

The best thing about pasta salad? It’s a make it and save it for later kind of food. Which makes it perfect for kids’ lunches if you can find a pasta salad they’ll actually eat. Ta-da! This kid-friendly pasta salad will have them asking for more!

7. Sandwich Kabobs

Who doesn’t like food on a stick? These lunch kabobs are a great way to get out of that PB&J habit, but they’re also a fun activity you can do together! Prep lunch the night before and give your munchkins some hands-on training in building their own lunches. Try all 6 easy lunch kabob options!

8. Energy Bites

Healthy snacking, tiny balls of deliciousness? Yep, that’s what we got right here. The most brilliant way to get your kids to eat healthy is to disguise the healthy stuff as junk food. They’ll be begging you for their favorite flavor of these energy bites!

9. Nutella and Banana Sushi

An easy sweet treat for your kids that is packed with flavor and fun to eat! This snack is great because instead of one big treat, they get a few tiny ones and it make it seem like they’re getting the better deal. If they ask for more, you can always say “but you already had 9!” Give the Nutella and Banana Sushi a try this weekend!

 

10. Taco Pop Tarts

Okay, we know that tacos and Pop-Tarts are two delicious foods separately, but together? Even better! Hear us out. This Taco Pop Tart recipe makes one of the messier foods you love preparing into a delicious little hand-held pocket. It’s why we love Hot Pockets, isn’t it?

11. Quinoa Taco Bowl

Is the whole family cutting back on the carbs but still looking to get that taco fix? Send the kiddos off with a little container of this Quinoa Taco Bowl for a healthier alternative to everyone’s favorite dish!

12. Chicken Ranch Wrap

Simple and quick are our favorite keywords! This quick and easy Ranch Chicken Wrap recipe is just what you need on busy mornings. Whip it up, wrap it up, and round them up – you’re out the door.

13. French Toast Roll-Ups

Delicious and dunkable are two traits your kids love! These French Toast Roll-ups are great for breakfast on the go or an afternoon snack.

 

There you have it! A whole collection of brand new lunch time recipes to try that will help keep you sane and your kids satisfied. If you’re not the best at planning on the fly (we definitely aren’t), make sure to download our meal planner printable and throw some of these options in there while they’re fresh in your mind!

Did we miss some of your favorite options? Tell us in the comments!