Lunch Box Ideas for Kids-Part 2

Today, I'm back with part two of lunch box ideas for kids. It's imperative to keep things exciting in the lunch box if you want your child to finish their lunch everyday! My goal for my kids lunch is to help them properly refuel their body, so they are can better concentrate and focus on their studies, setting them up for success in the classroom. It's really important to me to find foods to add to their lunch that are somewhat healthy and they enjoy. The best way I've found to do this is to keep a running list of items that my kids like, anytime I try something different and it's a success, I add it to the list. This gives me a great list to refer to when I'm creating my grocery list and it sets me up for a successful school year. Here are five more ideas I've been sending in my boys lunch that have been winners!

1. Bagel with cream cheese. Strawberries and yogurt.

 2. Ham and Cheese Wrap, applesauce, carrots, and animal crackers. I spread ranch dressing on a tortilla and added a layer of ham and cheese. You could modify the meat and toppings to create new wrap ideas to keep things exciting. These animal crackers from Aldi are the best, they have such a great lemony favor.

3. Cheese (or chicken and cheese) quesadilla. I made the quesadilla on my stove top. It only took a few minutes. You can wrap the quesadillas in foil after you cut to keep it warm longer. Sour cream and salsa for dipping. Chips and salsa.  I keep my box of go-gurts in the freezer, add it to the lunchbox and it's the perfect temperature by lunch time.

4. Pasta (spaghetti with sauce or fettuccini alfredo), applesauce, breadstick, and dessert (optional). Don't forget to utilize leftovers! Pasta is the perfect meal when you have leftovers, to reheat and enjoy again. Simply warm your thermos by boiling water and placing in the thermos for at least five minutes to get the thermos hot. Dump water out and place re-heated pasta inside.

5. Ham, strawberries and blueberries, yogurt, and mini banana chocolate chip muffins. These banana chocolate chip muffins are a huge hit with my kids. If I don't want them to disappear quickly, make them when no one is around! You can also make a double batch and put some in the freezer to use at another time.

For five more lunch box ideas check out, Lunch Box Ideas for Kids-Part 1. What other lunch ideas do you have to keep kids lunch box selections fresh and exciting?

Grocery List:

bagels
cream cheese
yogurt
animal crackers
carrots
tortillas
ham
cheese
ranch dressing
applesauce
shredded cheese
tortilla chips
salsa
sour cream (optional)
chocolate chips
drinks
any snack/dessert items

various fruit:
strawberries
blueberries
ripe bananas (for muffins)