Struggling with kids' lunchbox ideas? This list of easy, mix-and-match lunchbox recipes includes warm mains, snacks, sweet treats and allergy-friendly options that they'll actually eat!
Let’s be honest—packing lunchboxes every single day can feel like total groundhog day!
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One minute you’re smugly slicing up cucumber stars, the next you’re scraping untouched pasta off the bottom of the lunchbox (again).
If you’re stuck in a rut or just need a bit of fresh inspo, this list of kids' lunchbox ideas is packed with quick & fun ideas to help making the packed lunch that little bit easier.
I’ve broken it down into easy-to-browse categories, so you can quickly find exactly what you’re looking for—whether that’s warm Thermos meals, snacky bits or a little sweet treat. There are also a few allergy-friendly swaps included too, so there is something for everyone.
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🌯 Wraps, Sandwiches & Pinwheels
These are quick to make & easy to eat – ideal for packed lunches!
🍳 Sandwich-Free Mains
Bored with a sandwich every day? Try these alternative options...
♨️ Warm Lunches for a Thermos Flask
Fill up a Thermos flask with some dinner leftovers for a comforting lunch on a cold day. These meals are also great to batch-cook in advance, freeze into individual portions & defrost as you need them.
🥣Pasta Salads
Cold pasta salads are a great lunchbox addition!
🍢 Snacks & Sides
Perfect for adding to lunchboxes alongside a main – these easy snacks and sides are great for little grazers or to help fill them up.
- Apple slices with cinnamon – a sprinkle of cinnamon makes them extra tasty
- Cucumber stars- slice cucumbers and use a mini star cutter - great dipped into tzatziki.
- Homous & carrot sticks
- Mini cocktail sausages with a ketchup dip
- Mini cheese shapes – use small cutters on slices of cheese
- Fruit kebabs – thread grapes, strawberries and melon onto cocktail sticks
- Frozen yoghurt tubes or pouches – great in summer, they defrost by lunchtime.
🌱 Allergy-Friendly & Free-From Picks
Perfect for kids who need to avoid certain ingredients like dairy, gluten, or eggs. These are great for making sure everyone can enjoy their lunch safely and still have tasty, fun choices.
- Use gluten-free wraps for pinwheels
- Substitute regular cheese with a dairy-free option
🍬 Sweet Lunchbox Treats
Hopefully this list has given you a bit of fresh inspiration for the never-ending lunchbox juggle!
Whether your kids love picky bits, warm leftovers or anything wrapped in pastry, there’s something here to keep things interesting (and actually eaten!).
If you've got a go-to lunchbox hit that your kids always come home raving about, I’d love to hear it—pop it in the comments below or come say hi over on Instagram!
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