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Bento box lunches are an easy way to pack a variety of healthy foods for preschool, kindergarten and beyond! Here are some delicious bento lunch ideas to help make packing lunches fun and doable.
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Reasons to Love Bento Box Lunches
A bento box is a great choice for school lunches because it adds fun to both packing and eating. It makes it easy to create a well-balanced meal with lots of variety that kids will love.
Originated in Japan, a bento-style lunch box is essentially a single-portion boxed meal with neat compartments that make it possible to balance nutrition and convenience.
It may not seem like a big deal, but just having all the different compartments can turn packing lunches from a chore into a fun and creative activity. Plus, your child will notice the difference too!
Personally, I’m much more motivated and inspired to pack a variety of foods into my children’s lunch when I see multiple compartments, compared to just a single one.
You also don’t have to worry about apples making sandwiches soggy, yogurt spilling onto crackers, etc. because every food item has its own designated place.
Be sure to pack the bento box in an insulated lunch bag with at least 2 ice packs (one on top and one on bottom of the lunch box) to ensure the food stays safe until lunch time.
Healthy Bento Box Lunch Ideas
Here are some examples of the lunches I regularly pack for my son. Feel free to switch up the sides to match your child’s preferences and adjust the portions as necessary. Hopefully, these ideas can help make your meal planning a little easier and less stressful!
#1 – Banana Sushi
Spread nut or seed butter onto a tortilla, add banana, roll it up, and slice! I know it may sound strange, but try adding some veggies as well.
Here’s how to make banana roll ups with grated carrots and zucchini, one of my son’s all-time fav!
#2 – Pancake Sandwich and Egg Bento Lunch
Simply spread yogurt, cream cheese, or nut/seed butter onto one pancake and then press another one on top!
If your child struggles to eat their vegetables, try cutting into fun shapes using these cookie cutters. They truly are magical!
Pictured: spinach pancakes with cream cheese, hard boiled egg, mashed avocado, carrots and cucumber, butternut squash, raspberries.
Here’s the ultimate list of healthy pancakes for toddlers and kids (and babies!)
#3 – Rice Balls
Rice balls are perfect for lunch boxes because they are portable, easy to pack, and can be enjoyed without utensils. They offer a nutritious and balanced mix of carbohydrates and proteins, with customizable fillings like chicken, salmon, and vegetables.
Include some fruits and/or vegetables to round out the lunch.
#4 – Broccoli Bites Bento Box
These broccoli bites are easy to make, nutritious, and a great source of protein. They also freeze well, so I recommend making a batch in advance. Just thaw them in the fridge overnight, and they’re ready to pack cold or warm up briefly for a quick lunch.
Pictured: Hawaiian roll with sunflower seed butter + pears + carrots + cucumber
#5- Mini Pancakes
These mini pancakes are adorable and delicious! You can pack them plain or with a side of maple syrup or jam. I like to freeze a batch and simply thaw them in the fridge overnight. I also like to include some type of protein for staying power, like these spinach egg muffins.
#6- Pinwheel Sandwich
Pinwheel sandwiches are incredibly versatile—you can fill them with whatever ingredients you have on hand, then simply roll and slice.
Add to a bento box along with some vegetables and fruits.
#7 – Bean Patties and Dip
Pictured is the recipe for my chickpea patties with quinoa. Feel free to add any homemade or store-bought protein-packed patties. Include a dip for some fun and a nutritional boost and fruits and vegetables to round out the meal.
#8 – Broccoli cream cheese sandwich
My son loves cream cheese. Broccoli is a hit or miss. But I continue to play the exposure game hard. Simply shave off the ends of the broccoli (can be raw or cooked) tops with a knife.
And just like that you have broccoli sprinkles! Combine with cream cheese and garlic powder (or whatever seasoning you wish).
Pictured: sandwich, salmon quiche, apples, frozen peas and corn, almonds
#9 – Taco Salad Bento Lunch
Add cooked rice, quinoa, or pasta along with black beans, corn, tomatoes, chopped romaine lettuce, and salsa.
You can also add cubed or sliced avocado or guacamole. Spritz with some lemon or lime juice to prevent browning.
If your bento box is not leak proof, be sure to pack salsa and guacamole in separate containers.
#10 – Veggie Muffins
These savory muffins are an easy and delicious way to get extra veggies into your child’s diet! Pair with fruit and protein of choice (pictured: Instant Pot shredded chicken).
Homemade muffins are a fantastic way to pack a lot of nutrition into a fun and easy-to-eat form for kids. Here are the best tried-and-true muffins for toddlers and kids that are not only easy to make but also delicious and healthy.
#11 – Chicken Nugget Bento Box
You can’t go wrong with chicken nuggets! You can take the help from the store or make this homemade chicken nuggets with veggies.
They’re easy to prepare and delicious, especially when served with your child’s favorite dip. For a balanced lunch box, consider pairing them with fresh fruit, carrot sticks and hummus, yogurt topped with granola, or a small salad.
#12 – Deconstructed Southwestern sandwich
Roast a large batch of broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and potatoes with cumin, paprika, and garlic powder to enjoy throughout the week.
Add leftovers to lunch box (delicious cold so no need to reheat) along with black beans, avocado, cheese, and sliced bread or tortilla. Here are the best healthy store bought bread options to try!
#13 – DIY pasta salad bento lunch idea
Deconstructed meals are wonderful as depending on your child’s mood and preferences, they can eat the individual components separately or mix them together.
Add cooked pasta (vary the shape for fun and variety) along with cheese, protein, and vegetables.
Here are some EASY homemade sauces and dips to help bring everything together. You can certainly use store-bought for convenience for days when you just can’t! We all have those days, don’t we?
See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for specific ideas!
#14 – Meatball Bento Box Lunch
The next time you make meatballs, double the recipe and freeze for a quick, hearty lunch.
Now you have 2 options:
- Either heat them in the morning and store them in a thermos to stay warm
- Or you can add straight from the refrigerator to enjoy cold (thaw in the fridge overnight if frozen).
Pair with some type of carbohydrate, like pasta, and fruits/veggies.
Try these meatballs!
#15 – Spinach Muffins
These spinach muffins are super fluffy, moist in texture, and packed with nutrition. You can add whole or slice into smaller pieces to make it easier to eat.
Add in some type of protein, fruit and vegetable to round out the meal.
#16 – Simple Hummus Platter Bento Lunch
Use your favorite store-bought hummus or whip up any of these nutritious recipes. What I suggest is freezing into individual portions so you can grab just what you need at any given time.
Simply thaw in the fridge overnight and it will be ready to go the next morning.
Add crackers, pretzels, or bread along with fruits and veggies.
#17 – Veggie Waffles
Packed with simple, wholesome ingredients, these peanut butter waffles (with veggies) will nourish child and keep them full for longer than your typical waffles.
If your child’s school is peanut or nut-free, you can sub with sunflower seed butter or tahini.
Add some tofu for protein and fruit/vegetable of choice (pictured: steam roasted sweet potatoes)
#18 – Crackers and cheese snack pack
You can’t go wrong with this combination! For younger toddlers, choose crackers that are easier to bite into and chew (pictured: Triscuit thins).
Again, add in fresh fruit and veggies and you’ve got a 5 minute no-cook lunch that is delicious and well-balanced.
#19 – English Muffin Pizza
A super fun and delicious way to encourage even the pickiest eater to eat their vegetables. I suggest making a couple of trays of these and freezing.
You can add these mini pizzas straight from the freezer into the lunch box the night before or microwave for 30 seconds or so in the morning if you forget.
Again, if your child has never had cold pizza before then try it at home first.
Pair with some simple fruit and veggie sides. Try celery sticks with peanut or seed butter or cream cheese.
#20 – Scrambled egg sandwich
Scrambled egg sandwich is the perfect freezer breakfast sandwich! You can use mini bagels, brioche buns, croissants, or english muffins.
Slice in half or bite-sized pieces for toddlers. Serve alongside cantaloupe and bell pepper slices.
Best Bento Boxes for Toddlers and Kids
With so many options, choosing the one that is best suited for your child may feel overwhelming. Here are important factors to consider as well as my top favorite lunch boxes broken down by age group.
They are all perfect for little hands.
Best Lunch Boxes for Toddlers and Kids
More Easy Lunch Ideas for Toddlers and Kids
As a fellow mom and a registered dietitian, I make every attempt to share EASY recipes that freeze beautifully.
I truly hope all of these bento box lunch ideas and recipes make your lunch packing journey smoother and enjoyable!
- Master List of Lunch Box Ideas for Kids
- Lunch Ideas for Daycare or Preschool
- 60 Healthy Lunch Ideas for kids
- 5 minute Snacky Lunch Ideas
- Finger Foods
Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!
Bento Box Lunch Ideas – DIY Pasta Salad Bar
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Pasta of choice, preferably whole grain or legume-based (e.g. chickpeas, lentils)
- 1/4 cup Protein (chicken, beef, hard-boiled egg, shrimp, beans, tofu)
- Cubed or sliced cheese
- 3 tablespoons Sauce (pesto, vinaigrette, ranch, hummus)
Vegetables (1/2 cup)
- cherry/grape tomatoes (quartered for 4 years and younger)
- cucumber (sliced or cubed)
- zucchini (sliced or shredded)
- carrots (sliced or shredded)
- bell peppers (sliced)
- baby spinach
- peas
- corn
Instructions
- Pack all the components into separate compartments. Place the pasta in the largest compartment so that if your child decides to mix up all the components together, they can!
- If your lunch box is not leak-proof, be sure to add the sauce/dressing in a separate container.
Notes
- Greek pesto: rotini pasta, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, chickpeas, olives, feta, pesto
- Italian pasta salad: fusili pasta, chicken, red bell pepper, zucchini, mozzarella balls, bail, balsamic vinaigrette
- Tortellini salad: cheese tortellini, torn romaine, shredded carrots, tomatoes, ranch dressing
- Shrimp pasta salad: lentil pasta, shrimp, cucumber, corn, black beans, lime dressing
Great ideas
do you have this post in book form? HA! i need a book with all this content that i can leave out on my kitchen counter 😀 😀 amazing!
Hi! I really should create one, don’t I?! Thanks for the idea!