Heres a look at some before and afters of lunches I sent for my 4 year old daughter. We also love their tiny Condiment Cups for dressings and dips. You can find all of my best easy toddler lunch ideas, plus allergy-friendly and packable recipes, together in my ebook Yummy Toddler Lunches ebook. Remember that apples and whole nuts are a choking hazard for young kids, so be sure to chop them up and offer them in safe pieces. This meal features an Abes mini blueberry muffin, half of a Daves Killer Bread English muffin with peanut butter, a couple mini red bell peppers, shredded chicken, and green grapes. here. Theyre a little salty, a little sweet, and are packed with easy-to-eat nutrition. Tofu is a great protein option if your kiddos is struggling with the texture of chicken or ground beef. I find colour and a variety of textures and shapes really helps to add interest and variety. These ideas will help you continue to come up with easy-to-pack toddler lunches that are also yummy and healthy. Thanks so much. Feel free to sub your childs favorite spread on the bagel; the bread is a great source of carbs, but adding a spread with some fat/protein will help keep them fuller longer! Sandwich Spirals: 1 slice whole grain bread, 2 tablespoons cream cheese, 1 tablespoon jelly OR 2 tablespoons nut or butter and 1 tablespoon jam OR 2 tablespoons mashed roasted sweet potato OR 2 tablespoons hummus or 2 tablespoons mashed beans and salsa. Roll up and slice. I also threw in one of my favorite kid snacks- Skout Organic (code MAMAKNOWS for 20% off) fruit bars. ), If they are having pasta (see above, Ill often mix in peas or broccoli pieces), A piece of fruit leather, or fruit string, Cake pieces (banana cake for energy goes down very well). All these elements are easy to keep on hand- in your fridge and in your pantry- and are fresh and low-mess. Beans are great for fiber, iron, and protein, and avocado adds a good dose of heart-healthy fat. Third, consider freezing an applesauce pouch, a yogurt tube, or a shelf stable milk container to add more coldness as they will thaw by lunchtime. She's a master of everyday baking, family cooking, and harnessing good light. Whether youre looking for ideas for preschool or school lunches, daycare lunches, or lunches for those long summer days at home, it feels like there is one never-ending question: In this post, I want to give you some easy, low-stress options to help you offer your preschooler a healthy meal without the headache. What to pack: Hummus on whole-wheat english muffin, diced cantaloupe, blanched frozen mixed vegetables, What to buy: Bare Baked Apple Chips and Annies Bunny Grahams. Thats why I like to pack a variety of items. My tiny toddlers turned 4 this week eek! Amy, Parents of toddlers are well aware of the effect of meals and snacks on their childs happiness and your ideas are best ideas ever. Remember that you may or may not be able to send nuts. Recipes and Meal Planning for Busy Families, Published March 9, 2016, Updated October 23, 2019 8 Comments. Because my daughter says she doesnt like the yellow balls that taste nothing. Id happily give them to her if she would eat them! Include whole grain crackers or pita bread, some fruit, and perhaps some beans or simple veggies along side. Parents of little toddlers and preschoolers who are dutifully packing lunches for daycare and school, you are awesome. We also (the whole family) are kind of addicted to your banana muffins. Spread Sunbutter or other favorite nut butter onto a soft flour or whole grain tortilla and top with a banana or whole-fruit jam. TIP: You can find my favorite toddler lunchboxes here. Make a container with brown rice, black or pinto beans, diced veggies, cubed cheese, and some salsa (if your kiddo likes it) for a tot take on a taco salad. These easy to makeegg muffins are good at room temperature or heated (and they work well to make-ahead). I packed this for a travel day! Really important to give our kids energy to fuel them through the day. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Theyre a balanced meal all on their own and are easy to enhance with a side of yogurt or a cheese stick, a piece of fruit, and maybe a little cubed chicken, turkey, or ham. Hey Amy, You ideas are awesome, If your family enjoyed this that means you will also love our ideas. Wraps, turned into filled pinwheels, by cutting them into thin slices, Cheese twists (from the bread stick aisle, these can be high in salt though so watch out), Cold hard boiled eggs (they only get this when my husband is making, as I cant bear them! Roll soft whole grain sandwich bread flat and thin with a rolling pin. A very green meal! Its normal for their appetite to vary, so I wouldnt assume that they dont like something just because it comes home uneaten. This meal includes a simple, quick take on a protein-packed salmon salad: canned salmon, Sir Kensingtons Mayo, and a dash of dijon mustard. We could all use more ideas for feeding these little tummies. The eagle eyed will notice that one with sandwiches did sneak into the photos, but they were super cute sandwich squares so Ive allowed them to be forgiven for their sandwich title. Great ideas, thanks for the inspiration! Do you find that your kid is asking for a snack 30 minutes after lunchtime? I know this firsthand, because I just sent my oldest off with a lunch she learned to pack watching me throughout these past few years. *The lunch ideas with the notation NUT FREE mean these lunches do not contain nuts, so they should be okay for a nut free school environment. I know how exhausted you are by those little ones right now, but Im here to remind you that in just a few short years, youll be sending those same kids off to first grade with lunches they packed themselves. Im a mom of two and a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. The first 5 lunch ideas listed here contain meat, but right after this section there are lots of vegetarian options. This low-prep meal still features all the macronutrients and a good amount of variety as well. A handful of dried cereal, a handful of fresh strawberries, a MadeGood chocolate chip granola bar (nut-free), and a Probugs Organic kefir pouch. Your email address will not be published. Add thawed edamame, puffs, clementine, or another favorite fruit and veggie alongside. What to pack: Quartered meatballs (store-bought or homemade), mandarin orange slices, blanched broccoli, What to buy: Veggie Go-Go Strawberry Beet Bites, applesauce cup. Slice and serve as spirals with simple sides like fruit and yogurt to round things out. Emilia always asks for homemade lunchables because some preschool friends bring lunchables. I was getting really overwhelmed by meal-planning for my 13 month old. Find your favorite brand and keep them on hand for the days when you really dont know what to pack. Why just the egg whites? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This lunch features a grilled cheese made with American cheese on Daves Killer White Bread Done Right and two different fruits- freeze-dried strawberries and fresh blueberries. GoGo Squeez applesauce, grapes, green beans, celery, and half a turkey and cheese sandwich will give your child a fresh and balanced packed lunch. Packed with protein and vegetables, they will keep your toddler full until after naptime. We really like pureed mild salsa stirred together with plain whole milk yogurt as a yummy dipping sauce for this sort of a meal. Your child can build a sandwich or eat the components separately- either way, theyll get all the macronutrients in a satisfying and fun combination with no prep from you! Place 4 to 6 mini quiches into 2 separate lunch containers. Have you tried falafel with them? Adjust the serving sizes and what you pack alongside to both offer nutritional variety and to account for whether your child needs their snacks packed too. What to pack: Frittata cups, fresh blueberries, quartered cherry tomatoes, What to buy: Cheerios + dried strawberries, diced pears in juices. Ham and Cheese Snack Box: 1 oz each diced ham and shredded cheese, 1 slice whole grain bread or mini muffin, 1/4- cup each fruit and veggie. Or, try spreading on cream cheese, add a piece of sliced turkey, and roll up into a simple wrap. This post may contain affiliate links. Be sure to cut your grapes to make them safe for young eaters if your child is under 4. This meal is as easy as popping a bagel in the toaster and slicing up an orange! I may earn a commission. Fresh strawberries, cashews, Kashi whole grain cinnamon harvest biscuits, and Siggis yogurt provide all the macronutrients and can be thrown together in a flash for a nutritious combo. Thats why I compiled 10 of my favorite preschool and toddler lunch ideas that are both easy and healthy, and will help you pack lunches more quickly until those kiddos can pack their own. ), a cheese stick, raspberries, and Skout Organic (code MAMAKNOWS for 20% off) fruit bar. This is the plastic-free sandwich bag I used. Shredded chicken is a great option to prep once at the beginning of the week and add a handful to your childs lunches. Anyway, whilst Im nowhere near a Bento queen like my lovely pal Grace at Eats Amazing, I try to keep the lunches fun, colourful and interesting. Grab my free picky eating starter guide now! And change it up with pesto pizza rolls another week! Add water and milk as needed and as preferred to these toddler lunch ideas. What to pack: Hard-boiled egg, mixed berries, cubed cucumber, What to buy: Yogurt bites/melts, applesauce cup. I use these veggie cutters all the time!You might notice the pizza has cheese and I included another serving of cheese. She co-hosts a weekly podcast about food and family called Didn't I Just Feed You. In this post, Ill break down 31 easy-to-assemble preschool lunches that contain all the macronutrients for you to add to your rotation and simplify your days. This kid-friendly take on a charcuterie board includes triscuits and cheddar cheese, raisins, carrots, and strawberries. Required fields are marked *. Your child can have fun assembling mini cracker sandwiches or eating the items separately. This post may contain affiliate links. If you shop from one of our links, we may earn a commission. (Nutrition info will vary based on the specific ingredients you use. I even heard of a mom who froze her sons cheese sticks to help keep the food cold and they also thawed in time for lunch. Hope this gives you some lunchbox ideas for your kids, let me know if you have any gems I havent included! The next time you have pancakes on the weekend, double the batch and place leftovers in the fridge or freezer. So I love using the guide as a way to know that youre getting your little one a healthy meal, without having to spend time thinking or stressing over it! So much so, its been recently added as the top 9th allergy in the US and is one of the leading childhood allergens now. Meghan has a baking and pastry degree, and spent the first 10 years of her career as part of Alton Brown's culinary team. Their tender texture and nutty flavor make them ideal for lunch boxes. Half of a turkey and cheese sandwich on sourdough bread, broccoli, strawberries, and one of my favorite kids snacks- Hippeas. ), Hard-Cooked Egg Snack Box: 1 hard-cooked egg, sliced or cubed, cup pita bread or crackers, 1/4- cup each fruit and veggie. Spread nut butter (use Sunbutter if lunch needs to be allergy-free) or cream cheese and jam or honey between for a simple, but unexpected sandwich. Bake in the preheated oven 15 to 18 minutes, until the tops are puffy and the egg mixture has cooked through. This no-cook meal can be thrown together in less than a minute, and still contains all the nutrients your child needs. This meal comes together with no prep and no cooking, and includes a variety of options that touch on all the nutrients your kid needs: a handful of black beans, mini bell peppers, string cheese, carrots, an applesauce pouch, and a few chocolate covered pretzels. If you want a full list of healthy, kid-friendly foods that fit into each of those macronutrient categories, grab a copy of my Healthy Lunch Guide. What to pack: Quartered red and green grapes, diced avocado, What to buy: Annies Cheddar Bunnies, applesauce cup. You can turn the salmon salad mix into a sandwich or serve it like I did with veggies as a dip. Hi, yes, sesame can be a concern and its good to keep that in mind. I have toddler approved meals on my blog as well because they are so hard to please! Refrigerate extras in an airtight container for future lunches. Thanks for some inspiration! This is another great option for travel days or picnics where you need disposable items. Do you have no-fail, easy-pack ideas for a toddler or preschoolers lunch? This combo is the I woke up late and need to get you ready for school in under 3 minutes special. This Mediterranean-inspired preschool lunch idea combines fresh produce like mini bell peppers and broccoli with some childhood favorites like pita bread, hummus, and blueberries. with sane advice and simple, yummy recipes. Easy Preschool Lunch Ideas | Lunch Ideas for Picky Eaters (https://youtu.be/TM53niyITtA), know how to pack lunches for picky eaters, How to Grill a Sandwich and Pack it For School or Office Lunch (https://youtu.be/kMd_xWyGiKI), MOMables Back to School Lunches on Good Morning America | Laura's Vlog (https://youtu.be/2BH_RrrIUuE). Different environments have different outcomes. We prefer this large size with five distinct compartments, but LunchBots also offers other sizes and configurations like this Small Protein Packer. Your resources have been so helpful to me as a new toddler parent. Pack with the fruit and veggies. But if your child has a nut allergy you should always check the labels to make sure they are completely nut-free. This is totally normal! The granola will soften a bit as it sits in the thermos to ensure its easy to chew. Pack tiny cubes of ham and cheese alongside peas the perfect trifecta for a toddler mastering the pincher eating technique. This was a One Mighty Mill whole wheat mini bagel. An individual serving of Sabra hummus with pretzels and broccoli for dipping, a Stonyfield yogurt pouch, and Sunmaid yogurt covered raisins is a fun combination that packs a nutritional punch and can be pulled straight from your pantry and fridge. Think of it as a leveled-up, customizable Lunchable- you can include any meats or cheeses you choose, and I love Triscuits as a kids snack! My favorite tips for getting your littles to enjoy their food! Its okay to rely more on snack boxes or simple sunflower seed and jam sandwiches, especially if this is a temporary situation. Yes, here are some ways to ensure you keep the food safe until lunch time and also have options for what to send. Your email address will not be published. Kids will love this lunch with the option to mix them all together to build a parfait or eat the elements one by one. My daughter likes all the sandwich components, but not always all together so I leave them separate sometimes. DESIGN BYFUENTES MEDIA, Gluten, Egg, and Dairy Free Chocolate Cake. Ive been trying out lunchboxes for the past 5 years and I have 5 distinct favorites based on price and how youll use them. Make sure the food is easy for your child to eat. I paired it with some fresh veggies, a handful of veggie straws, one of my favorite Skout Organic fruit bars(code MAMAKNOWS for 20% off), and a GoGo Squeez applesauce packet. It helps kids have fun with their meal and can make them more interested in trying foods that are new to them or not their favorites. Leftover pizza makes a great addition to a kiddos lunchbox. Veggie chips are more for fun than nutrition, since theyre really not that different from potato chips. Inspiration for more interesting pack ups for kids.