10 Easy Lunch Ideas for Kids and Moms

School mornings are hectic enough without the stress of figuring out what to pack for lunch. And let’s be honest — moms need lunch, too! That’s why I put together this list of 10 super easy lunch ideas: five for your kids and five for you. Each one uses simple, everyday ingredients and takes only minutes to pull together.

Easy School Lunches for Kids

• DIY Lunchable

  • Ritz or wheat crackers

  • Cheese cubes/slices

  • Salami, pepperoni, or turkey

  • Goldfish or pretzels

  • Fruit (grapes, apple slices)

  • Small sweet (cookie or fruit snack)

• Meat & Cheese Roll-Ups

  • Whole wheat tortilla spread with cream cheese

  • Rolled up with turkey and shredded cheese, sliced into pinwheels

  • Carrot sticks + ranch dip

  • Applesauce pouch

  • Mini brownie or granola bar

• Mini Bagel Pizza Kit

  • Mini bagels

  • Small container of pizza sauce

  • Shredded mozzarella + pepperoni in a snack cup

  • Cucumber slices

  • Grapes or strawberries

• Breakfast-for-Lunch Box

  • Mini waffles or pancakes (store-bought, toasted and cooled)

  • Syrup or Nutella in a small container for dipping

  • String cheese

  • Yogurt tube

  • Berries or banana slices

• Snacky Bento Box

  • Hard-boiled egg or cheese stick

  • Pita chips or pretzels

  • Hummus or ranch for dipping

  • Apple slices + peanut butter

  • Popcorn

Easy Work Lunches for Moms

• Pre-packaged Options:

  • Costco:

    • Bare Chicken Nugets

    • bibigo Spring Rolls

    • Fresh additions ready-to-eat chicken breast bites

  • Trader Joe’s:

    • Salmon burgers

    • Shrimp burgers

  • Other:

    • Red’s grilled chicken burrito

    • Amy’s beans & rice burrito

• Grown Up Lunchable

  • Triscuits, Ritz, or seeded crackers

  • Sliced sharp cheddar or gouda

  • Turkey, salami, or prosciutto

  • Baby carrots +hummus

  • Small dessert like dark chocolate Kisses

• Salad (Mason Jar optional)

  • If you want to make a true layered salad:

    Start with dressing on the bottom, then add:

    • Veggies (like tomatoand cucumber)

    • Your protein (chicken, chickpeas, tuna, etc)

    • Finish with lettuce,spinach, or kale!

  • Personally, I just add the dressing when I’m ready to eat and keep this in

    a storage container for easy transporting.

• Mediterranean Wrap

  • Whole wheat tortilla spread with hummus

  • Stuff with:

    • Chicken

    • Spinach

    • Cucumber

    • Feta

  • Pair it with Greek yogurt, grapes, and some trail mix

• Protein Snack Box

  This is your free-for-all, but with an emphasis on protein and healthy foods.

  • Hard-boiled egg

  • Cheese

  • Almonds/nuts

  • Apple or berries

  • Popcorn

  • Add in a protein shake/bar or Greek yogurt to up the macro count.

Bonus Tips for Stress-Free Lunch Packing:

• Prep fruits and veggies on Sunday for grab-and-go options.

• Keep a snack bin stocked with pretzels, popcorn, or granola bars.

• Use bento-style lunch boxes so everything has its spot.

Looking for a printable version? Download the free 10 Easy Lunch Ideas PDF and stick it on your fridge for those mornings when your brain just can’t.