Lunch for kids can be boring — especially when they see the same thing day in and day out. But that doesn’t have to be the case. To get you started, we’ve assembled three lunch box (or bag) ideas for kids that they’ll look forward to eating. Consider them jumping-off points for the rest of the year — you know, inspiration.
The Grilled Cheese Lunch
Cheddar cheese singles melt beautifully on whole wheat bread for a classic grilled cheese sandwich. Add a little bit of crunch on the side with a granola of your choice, found in our bulk aisle, as well as 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Mini Cheese Sandwich Crackers. Sliced carrots, cucumbers and red and Granny Smith apples bring even more crunch. Add an organic milk box to round out the meal.
Butterfly Sandwiches
Whether or not your kids have Instagram, they can probably appreciate a cute and photogenic lunch. Use cookie cutters to cut their sandwiches into shapes — like the butterflies pictured here, which use celery threads to make the antennae. That makes a traditional PB&J sandwich feel a little less ... traditional. (Peanut-free school? Check out our wide selection of alternative nut and seed butters). Another tip for better lunches? Add a whole bunch of snacks like celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, grapes, sweet potato chips and a little something homemade on the side, like this Vegan Pumpkin Bread recipe opens in a new tab. Oh, and an organic chocolate milk box to boot.
Sandwich Kabobs
Sandwiches on a stick are just a little bit more fun to eat. All you have to do is cut your sandwich into quarters and slide them onto bamboo skewers (for younger kids, snip the points off the skewers). Here, find ham, turkey and cheese singles along with tomato and lettuce. Add some 365 by Whole Foods Market Cape Cod Trail Mix (found prepackaged or in our bulk aisle), 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Popcorn and mozzarella string cheese, as well as blueberries and clementines for some juicy sweetness. Throw in a box of organic vanilla-flavored milk.
Tips for Better Lunch Boxes
Switch up the sandwich. The sandwich tends to be the star of the lunch box. But even if your kid will only eat PB&J, you can still make it a little more exciting by cutting their sandwich into their favorite shapes with cookie cutters, or by putting their sandwich on skewers.
Make things easier by buying food that’s already prepared. Meal prepping for yourself is hard enough, so save yourself some time by buying prewashed and precut vegetables in our produce section.
Add variety. Mix and match your kid’s favorite snacks all week long. Shop for your favorites in our bulk section and then make a DIY trail mix at home.
See? Packing lunch can be way more fun.
