125+ Healthy Lunch Box Ideas + Free Printable

Whether you are packing lunches every day for your kids to take to school or you pack a lunch for your husband – or yourself – to take to work, this comprehesive list of healthy lunch box ideas will help you eat well and get creative!

Table of Contents

How to Pack a Healthy Lunch Box

It’s so easy to get in a rut of making the same thing day after day, week after week and your brain just can’t think past the usual peanut butter and jelly sandwich, chips, and juice box. But, packing the same old food into that lunch box every day can get pretty boring!

Today I’m sharing lots of ideas for putting together a healthy lunch box and a free printable list of more than 125 healthy lunch box ideas so you never have to think too hard about what to pack.

I know when I was in elementary school my favorite sandwich was made with white bread, iceberg lettuce, and mayonnaise. Don’t ask me why! But I loved them. This is one sandwich I’ve never made for my own kids.

What does a healthy lunch box contain?

The first step in packing a healthy lunch box is figuring out what you should put inside. When putting together a healthy lunchbox, you want to make sure you have these categories present:

Fruit
Vegetables
A Protein Source
Dairy
Something Starchy such as bread
Water

By including each of these in your child’s lunch, you will not only make sure that they have a nutritious lunch but that they don’t end up hungry after they get back to class.

Pack food that you know your children are going to eat. Even when you are creating a healthy lunch box, try to work within the parameters of what you know your children will eat first, and slowly incorporate new foods.

For my kids, eating healthy is something we do every day at home, so they are more likely to eat healthy foods when they are away too. If your child is a picky eater, try adding new healthy foods into your diet on a regular basis and make it fun.

If you aren’t sure what your children like to eat, open up their lunch! The food that doesn’t get eaten will likely give you some insight into what your kids will and won’t eat.

7 Tips for Packing a Healthy Lunch Box

1. Plan ahead for lunches. When cooking dinner you can make extra and separate into lunch-size portions for the freezer. This will save you hassle on days you are running late. This is also a great way to save money as well. Or, print my free weekly lunch box menu planner and schedule plan all of your lunch boxes ahead of time so you don’t have to think about it at the last minute!

2. Buy reusable containers. Separated containers are a great option but you can also use silicone cupcake molds in various sizes to make your own compartments for lunches. Reusable containers are great for keeping lunches fresh and preventing messes from spills. My two favorite style boxes are:

Easy Lunch Boxes {these are not leak proof}
Rubbermaid Lunch Blox

3. Save condiment packets when your family eats out to place into lunches for easy lunch packing. If you don’t collect packages while out you can fill small containers with condiments of school lunches. Or, alternatively, you can purchase condiment packets and make your life easier. For sandwiches you can put mustard between slices of deli slices and cheese to keep bread from getting soggy.

4. Use cookie cutters to give foods fun shapes without a lot of extra work. You can find bulk packs of cookie cutter for cheap and plenty of variety. Amazon has a large selection to choose from. You can make it really fun with new themes each day. Sandwiches, tortillas, baked goods, and fruits can all be shaped for a fun lunch in no time.

5. Create a basket filled with prepacked snacks and sides for lunches. These could be zip topped bags that you pre-fill with bulk purchases of chips or crackers. Or, you can save yourself time and buy an assortment of snacks ready to toss in the lunch box. Then you can just toss them into the lunch bag and be done. You can pre-make the refrigerated parts of lunches on Sunday afternoon, as well, so they are ready to go.

6. Freeze foods that freeze and thaw well so your child’s lunch can act as it’s own ice pack. Sandwiches, yogurts, and most main dishes can be frozen fully cooked and ready to go for school lunches. Freezing drinks is another easy idea to keep lunches cold. Or use the cold packs that come with the Rubbermaid Lunch Bloxes – they work really well.

7. Plan balanced meals by ensuring your lunches each have a protein, grain, fruit or veggie, and dairy. Most schools have requirements on what must be in a packed lunch so if this is your first year call and check. Better to ask then find out when you get a bill for a meal they gave your child because they did not approve of yours.

Lunch Box Hacks Every Mom Needs

Freeze peanut butter sandwiches and let them thaw in the lunch box. You can make your own version of Uncrustables or make my fun twist on an Uncrustable here.
Freeze a wet sponge inside a zip top baggie to make your own ice pack that you can reuse.
Use drinks as ice packs. Capri Sun brand works great! Or, fill a water bottle 1/3 full and freeze. Remove from freezer and fill with water to top and pack ice cold water in the lunch box.
Use an apple slicer to pre-cut apples and the wrap the apple in plastic wrap to keep the cut apple intact to prevent browning.
Make your own single serving packs to save money. Buy a large back of chips, pretzels, or other snack and divide the contents up into individual baggies.
Make your own fruit cups with a plastic container and canned fruit.
Use Easy Lunch Boxes to make your own version of the more expensive Lunchables in the grocery store.
Pack a week’s worth of lunches on Sunday afternoon or create a lunch box prep station.
Wrap sandwiches in wax paper or freezer paper to make a place mat when the paper is opened.
Preheat your Thermos to keep hot foods warm longer. All you need to do is pour boiling water in the Thermos and let it sit for a few minutes. Pour out the water and add your hot food.
Slice a kiwi in half, wrap in plastic wrap, and pack it in the lunch box with a spoon.
Send tomato slices for sandwiches in a plastic baggie to be added to the sandwich at lunch time.
Save plastic take out containers for disposable lunch boxes when your child needs to take a lunch on a field trip.
Make your own Go-Gurts by filling reusable pouches with yogurt. You could also fill them with applesauce.
Buy fun napkins and straws at the Dollar Tree to give your child’s lunch box a little happy feel.

How to make lunch more fun

Lunches don’t have to be boring and there are a few ways you can make a packed lunch just as fun as something from the cafeteria! Start by thinking outside the box when it comes to packing your child’s lunch box food.

Put food items on skewers or use fun food picks
Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes
Create themes for their lunchboxes
Use sandwich stamps to bring a smile to your child’s face
Boiled egg molds are fun to use too!

Ideas for letting your child pack their own lunch

1. If you want your kids to be responsible for packing their own lunch, the first thing you need to do is make it easy for them.

2. Create bins in the pantry and fridge or create a lunchbox station so they know exactly how much and what type of food to put in their lunchbox.

3. You may have to walk it through with them a few times, but it will make a huge difference!

4. Label each bin and include how many of each item they should put in to make sure they know exactly what to do.

5. You can print my How to Pack a Lunch Box guide here.

Choosing the best lunch box

Choosing a lunchbox can be just as difficult as a backpack. Here are a few tips to make it easier!

First, start by choosing something neutral. If you don’t want to have to fuss over who gets what lunchbox, this is going to be the best option. You want it to be neutral so you don’t have to replace your lunchbox every time a new trend comes out.
Next, you want something durable. Remember this is going with children to school, not to your work cubicle. Find something sturdy that can hold their lunch in place, if possible, find ones that allow you to put an ice pack at the bottom.

My Favorite Lunch Box Gear

125 Healthy Lunch Box Ideas

These are foods my own children love! I believe in exposing children to a wide variety of tastes and textures. Lunch time can be difficult. It’s easy to get in a rut. I homeschool my children, and I have found that if I “pack” their lunches the night before or first thing in the morning that I save time during our school day.

I hope this list helps you in your menu planning.

Healthy Lunch Box Ideas

Proteins

Carbs

Crackers
Muffins
Goldfish Crackers
Sliced Bread
Pasta Salad
Macaroni and Cheese
Dry Cereal
Sesame Sticks
Pretzels
Bagel
Pita Bread
Leftover Mini Pancakes
Hot Dog or Hamburger Buns
Kim Bap (Korean Sushi Rolls)
Couscous
Granola or Cereal Bars
Leftover Spaghetti or Lasagna
Potato Salad
Chips
Green Bean Chips
Leftover Fried Rice
Banana Bread or other Quick Breads
Leftover Dinner Rolls or Garlic Toast
French or Italian Bread
Sub Sandwich
Stuffed Grape Leaves
ChoBap (Korean Rice Stuffed Bean Curd)
Rice

Dairy

Yogurt
Cheese Cubes or Slices
String Cheese
Cottage Cheese
Cream Cheese
Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges
Sour Cream or Yogurt Dip
Babybel Cheese
Soy or Almond Milk

125 Healthy Lunch Box Ideas @ AHomeToMake.com

Fruits

{pair with sliced cheddar cheese or peanut butter}

Canned Peaches or Apricots
Canned Mandarin Oranges
Fruit Cocktail
Grapes
Strawberries
Banana
Clementines or Orange Slices
Canned Mango
Pineapple Wedges
Blueberries
Raspberries or Blackberries
Apple
Raisins or Dried Fruit
Cherries
Green or Black Olives
Fruit Kabob

Vegetables

{pair with hummus, ranch dip, thousand island dressing, or peanut butter}

Carrot Sticks
Raw Broccoli or Cauliflower
Sliced Bell Pepper
Avocado Half – Leave Pit in to Prevent Browning
Grape Tomatoes
Raw Snap Peas
Celery Sticks
Green Onion Tops
Lettuce
Alfalfa Sprouts
Whole Kernel Corn
Frozen Peas
Coleslaw
Tossed Salad
Broccoli Salad
Carrot Salad
Pea, Olive, and Corn Salad

Thermos Soup

{pair with crackers, chips, goldfish crackers, oyster crackers, or cornbread, plus cheese and Greek peppers}

Vegetable Soup
Tomato Soup
Cheese Soup
Leftover Bean Soup
Mushroom Soup
Corn Chowder
Pea Soup
Lentil Soup
Chili or Chili Mac

Leftovers

Casseroles
Soups
Meatballs
Lo Mein
Stir Fry
Pot Pie
Pizza

Condiments

Ranch Dip
Thousand Island Dressing
Peanut Butter
Soy Sauce
Ketchup
Mustard
Pickle Slices or Spears
Hummus
Salad Dressing
Mayonnaise
Fruit Dip
Tahini Sauce

Desserts

Gelatin Cup with Fruit
Oatmeal Cookies
Peanut Butter Cookies
Yogurt Pretzels
Tart Lemon Squares
Rice Pudding

Tips for Packing a Healthy Lunch Box

1. When making sandwiches, place tomato, onions, and lettuce in separate baggie to prevent bread from becoming soggy.
2. Freeze juice boxes and place in lunch box to keep food cool.
3. Leftovers can often be turned into a tasty lunch.
4. Use a thermos to keep leftover macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, and soups warm.
5. Or, use a thermos to keep cold foods cold.
6. Use Easy Lunch Boxes or other Bento Style boxes to create your own homemade, healthy “Lunchables.”
7. If you homeschool, preparing your child’s lunch ahead of time will save you lots of time during the day!
8. Print my Easy Lunch Box Planner for easy planning by the week!