30 Kids’ Lunch Ideas to Pack for School

Everyone needs a perfect pasta salad that’s easy to make, especially on busy nights when your family wants a dish that’s fast, light and cool. This is just the thing. —Jill Donley, Warsaw, Indiana

For my finicky little ones, I create fast, tasty recipes like this tropical sandwich wrap. You can even use up leftover roast beef in a pinch. —Amy Tong, Anaheim, California

As a mom, I’m always trying to come up with easy lunch ideas for kids. This recipe was a hit! —Sara Martin, Brookfield, Wisconsin

My daughter Sara loves spicy Buffalo chicken and deviled eggs, so I combined the two. Make and chill a day ahead so the flavors mingle. —Robin Spires, Tampa, Florida

This lunchbox-friendly wrap is a tasty way to use leftover chicken and get kids to eat more veggies. Using colorful, thin strips of vegetables adds visual interest when the wrap is cut into slices. Suddenly spinach is too pretty to refuse. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

The cool colors and tangy flavors of vanilla yogurt and cream cheese are brightened with the sweetness and crunch of cheery red grapes in this refreshing and delicious salad. —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico

I first sampled these BLT wraps at a bridal luncheon years ago. Now I frequently make them for our weekly neighborhood dinners. —Darla Wester, Meriden, Iowa

For a book club event, I created pastrami roll-ups with cream cheese and a pickle. Those tasty roll-ups quickly pulled a disappearing act. —Merritt Heinrich, Oswego, Illinois

I had a sandwich similar to this once when I stopped at a diner while on a long and arduous walk. I enjoyed it so much that I modified it to my own taste and now have it for lunch on a regular basis. Everyone at work wants to know how to make it.—Michael Steffens, Indianapolis, Indiana

Pasta provides a base for this tongue-tingling make-ahead salad. It has lots of fresh and satisfying ingredients topped with a flavorful dressing. This pasta salad is terrific to serve to company or take to a potluck. — Joyce McLennan, Algonac, Michigan

To fix this ham-and-cheese pleaser, just take a page from our creative food editors. You also can use a cutout of your child’s initial. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

It’s hard to find recipes that four children and my husband love. That’s why this is so special to our family. —Elizabeth King, Duluth, Minnesota

Here’s a cool idea that’s ready to gobble up in no time. It’s a terrific use for deli turkey. Just add lettuce, tomato, green pepper, shredded cheese and ranch dressing for a flavorful blend. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

These yummy deviled eggs went over so well at our summer cookouts, I started making them for holiday dinners as well. Everyone likes the addition of crumbled bacon. —Barbara Reid, Mounds, Oklahoma

My kids ask for these pita sandwiches all the time. They haven’t noticed that, as good as they taste, they’re also good for them. —Kim Holmes, Emerald Park, Saskatchewan

A sweet-and-sour dressing tops off this easy pasta salad that’s actually good for you! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Tuck smoked turkey and creamy avocado spread into tortilla wraps and add a dash of hot sauce for a little heat. —Margee Berry, White Salmon, Washington

I had experimented with all kinds of bean salads before I hit on this one. My husband loves all the different bean varieties, and corn adds to the color and texture.—Dale Benoit, Monson, Massachusetts

Dates, orange juice and apples bring zest and crunch to the plain old peanut butter sandwich. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri

My mom and I used to make these easy wrap-ups for summer days at the lake with our entire family. These days, we love to bring them to picnics and days in the park. —Jonnah Burks, Brighton, Missouri

Red pepper pieces accent this yummy side dish, and the pasta wheels really drive the theme home. —Amber Kimmich, Powhatan, Virginia

I was running late one night, so I shopped in my own fridge and came up with ingredients that became taco wraps. Everybody at the table was a happy camper. —Katie Mitschelen, La Porte, Indiana

For sunny, lazy days, I make a loaded macaroni salad that’s like three salads in one. The mix of fresh veggies, sweet peaches and crunchy pistachios is a surprisingly delicious combo. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

When you have these fun-to-make mini pizzas, it’s no challenge finding lunch fare that the kids enjoy. Plus they pack nicely in sandwich bags and travel well, so there’s no mess. —Rhonda Cliett, Belton, Texas

Need an awesome snack for game day? My kids love these easy four-ingredient turkey pinwheels. Go ahead and make them the day before—they don’t get soggy! —Amy Van Hemert, Ottumwa, Iowa

If you’re planning a picnic, make this pasta a day ahead. For my husband’s lunch at work, I sometimes tie a plastic fork on the jar. —Pat Neiheisel, Leetonia, Ohio

These handy pita pocket sandwiches can be filled and served ready to eat… or you can set up a make-your-own buffet with ingredients that the kids can choose to suit themselves.

Packed with protein-rich tuna and fresh veggie crunch, these colorful wraps have sensational flavor…and they’re good for you, too. —Edie Farm, Farmington, New Mexico

For a casual springtime meal with a twist, boil up some eggs and dinner will be done presto. —Tenley Haraldson, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin

Living in New York City means not having a lot of time to prepare meals. This recipe is quick, easy and healthy, making it perfect for my lifestyle. —Kevin Sobotka, Staten Island, New York