This school year has been an interesting one and most of us have just started the at-home learning journey with our kids. While most of us are adapting to this new learning and didn't have a choice in the matter, we may as well look at the bright side of what this opportunity offers us. And one of the major perks? We no longer have to pack our kid's lunches or fight trying to get it done before they rush off to school.
We also aren't tied to the important allergen-free rules we need to be extra careful of for schools to keep other students safe. Instead, we can get a little more creative with the lunches our kids eat – it offers more opportunities for them to have their favorites, and that's never a bad thing. But in a chaotic day at home with everyone either doing school or working, time is precious and the more simple lunch ideas we have in our arsenal, the better. So here are 15 to get us inspired:
Ham & Cheese Quesadilla
Although there's an idea that we can get fancier with lunch for our kids learning from home, the truth is we need fast ideas that they'll eat. The bonus comes with being able to serve something warm and that's why this ham and cheese quesadilla is a good fit. It's a favorite because it's a classic taste, plus served with apple slices, it's a rounded and healthy meal.
Peanut Butter & Banana Sandwich
A bonus for kids who love peanut butter is that they're able to eat it during school hours and not put any of their fellow students in danger. Instead of going for a typical peanut butter sandwich, add some slices of bananas and some chocolate chips for a super fun twist.
Mac 'n' Cheese Cups
We're able to be a lot more creative with lunches, but we know we don't want to put in all the effort we do for dinners. This means, mac 'n' cheese cups are the perfect thing to make for lunches. These can be made ahead of time, heated quickly in the microwave, and it doesn't create extra dishes that have to be washed.
Chicken Strips & Vegetables
Chicken doesn't have to be heated for it to be tasty, and chicken breast strips offer a great filling and nutritious meal for growing kids. Add in some of their favorite vegetable slices, maybe some ranch to dip, and it's all the vitamins and protein they're craving for their brain — and we didn't have to cook a thing.
Loaded Baked Potato Dip & Fries
Bread Pizza Puffs
Kids love pizza and it won't be a bad day at school if they get to eat the flavors at home. This recipe from Yes I Can is simple to create ahead of time and gives the kids something to look forward to for lunch. The kids can have fun making these together with a parent or take the task on themselves if they're old enough.
Bagels & Soup
There's a reason this is a tried and true lunch for adults – it's delicious, warm, and filling. Bonus is this could be eaten every day of the week but have different flavors each time. It's just as acceptable as a lunch for kids and it doesn't take forever to make either.
Vegetables & Fresh Hummus
Hummus is one of those versatile snacks that we don't think about on a whim, but it's really tasty and fast to whip up. It can be used on some crackers or pita chips for the kid's lunch, with some cheese, or used as a dip with their favorite fresh vegetables.
Ham & Cheese Apple Wraps
Who needs bread? Not kids! They can get themselves a happy and nutritious lunch with just the flavors they really love and get everything they need to get the energy for the rest of the school day. This idea from MOMables is simple to make, doesn't make a mess, and kids can put it together themselves, too.
Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes are underrated and the best thing about them is how many different ways they can be spruced up. They can have all different vegetables, cheeses, spices and herbs added so no two potatoes are the same. It's a great filling lunch for the kids and can go well with some fresh vegetables or fruit on the side.
Corn Dogs
What kid doesn't love corn dogs? These are another fun recipe the family can make together on the weekends, and then it's a super easy meal to heat up during the school week. The frozen store-bought ones are just as good, and kids love those, too.
Turkey Ranch Wraps
One of the great things about learning at home when it comes to lunch is that we don't have to worry about how the food is going to stay packaged on the way to school or how it will stay cold once there. That means things like this turkey ranch wrap can be an option. Just toss in turkey (or any other deli meat), some cheese, and a veggie, like spinach, and top with some ranch. Or put the ranch on the side for dipping if made ahead of time. Easy peasy!
Breakfast for Lunch
One reason breakfast food is so good is because it's easy to make and delicious to eat. Why limit that to the morning when we don’t have to? Having pancakes, waffles, or eggs for lunch means it's fast to prepare and the kids will eat it up.
Charcuterie
It's not just a meal idea for adults, but it's a great option for a fast, fun, and filling lunch for kids. The board can contain their favorite cheeses, nuts, fruits, and being able to eat it like a snack makes it more appealing. Bonus points if there are siblings in the house as this will feed them all at the same time.
Sandwiches on a Stick
We know that sandwiches can be sort of boring for lunches day after day, but these offer the same nutrition and if we know kids will eat them, why change it? However, what this does do is offer the favorite in a new way – it makes it more fun and exciting. Bonus points for being able to make a bunch of these quickly.
