Beyond PB&J: 7 back-to-school lunch box ideas

Tagged with: kindergarten

Lindsay Weiss

posted in Life & Home

Our own Dina Freeman sent me a note the other day that went something like this:

My 4-year-old is going to start Kindergarten soon and I just realized I have no idea what to make him for lunch. He’s 4! He can’t open many things. He doesn’t regularly eat sandwiches – just the meat and cheese. I can’t do PBJ because of no-peanut rules. What do I do? Do you have any ideas? Remember, I am a horrible cook and their taste is bland.

Dina and I could have twin boys actually — my Carter is in the same boat and is not a traditional sandwich kid. So I’ve been experimenting with some ideas for his lunch box; here are his 7 favorites to date:

ham-and-cheese-rollups

Rollups: for kids who are not fans of meat and cheese between bread, these meat and cheese rollups are perfect. They are tied with a sliced scallion string so they are ready-to-eat!

ham and cheese rollups Beyond PB&J: 7 back to school lunch box ideas

pizza_0

Pizza: We ALWAYS have a slice or two of pizza leftover from dinner. Cut it into small wedges and voila — lunch the next day!

pizza 0 Beyond PB&J: 7 back to school lunch box ideas

turkey-cheese-tortillas

Tortilla pinwheels: Layer a tortilla with meat and cheese and roll up tightly. Slice into bite-sized pieces and serve!

turkey cheese tortillas Beyond PB&J: 7 back to school lunch box ideas

pastainthermos

Pasta in a Thermos: This one is my kids\’ favorite. We bought a $3 thermos from Target and I can pack pasta, mac n cheese, sesame noodles…whatever we have leftover. This is perfect for my pasta-loving kids.

pastainthermos Beyond PB&J: 7 back to school lunch box ideas

goldfish-bread

Creative sandwiches: while not a fan of the traditional sandwich, my kiddos do like these goldfish-shaped versions. The bread is from Pepperidge Farm. It\’s nice and thin, so the kids can focuse on what they really like — the INSIDE.

goldfish bread Beyond PB&J: 7 back to school lunch box ideas

ham-cheese-muffins

Ham and Cheese Muffins: These muffins from Weelicious are a lifesaver when I don\’t have time to pack a lunch. The kids love that they\’re muffins; I love that they\’re healthy and include some protein.

ham cheese muffins Beyond PB&J: 7 back to school lunch box ideas

bunnycheese

Creative Cheese: both kids got the giggles when I cut their cheese into cute shapes. Bunnies, hearts, stars, no matter…it\’s super quick and easy.

bunnycheese Beyond PB&J: 7 back to school lunch box ideas

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Do you have any easy but delicious lunch box ideas?

Images and ideas from:
Ham and cheese rollups – Trucchis
Pizza – Molly’s Lunchbox
Tortilla Rollups – Lunch Box Limbo
Pasta in a Thermos – Bento for Kidlet
Ham and Cheese Muffins – Weelicious
Goldfish-shaped Sandwiches – Parenting
Creative Cheese and Crackers- Another Lunch

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