Before we start into the kids lunch ideas, we need to add a warning or disclaimer or whatever word you’re comfortable with. The following lunch ideas were made by many super human moms. It makes us feel better to think they have a ton of extra time, only made one lunch for the picture and spend 100% of their time on making these lunches.

We like to make it seem like we’re not the only ones with thrown together lunches as we’re literally running out the door with the kids, backpacks, breakfast hanging out of our mouths and a nagging feeling we’re forgetting something. That, in a nutshell, is how we spend our mornings.

This is organizedCHAOS for a reason.

Take each image with a grain of salt. The idea is there and you can do with it what you want. Perfection isn’t the goal – it’s just about feeding your child and moving on. Oh, and looking like a rad parent in the meantime.

At the end of this post, we will list all supplies that will make your bento box lunch preparation a simple one. It’s all about the tools…and budget. It’s not pricey at all. Order, check your doorstep, grocery shop, make the lunch, enjoy time for yourself.

Hot dog
Strawberries & blueberries
Coleslaw
Baked beans

 Apples
Carrots
Cheese
Popcorn
Chocolate milk

Cheese sandwich
Kiwi and orange
Yogurt

Chicken nugget pita
Carrots
Grain chips
Fresh fruit

Grapes
Nilla Wafers
Chicken nuggets
Carrots
String cheese
Apples

Toast rings
Chicken noodle soup
Carrots
Fresh fruit

Ham and cheese
Carrots
Apple rings with peanut butter
Grapes

Cheese blocks
Wheat crackers
Bologna or ham slices
Cucumbers
Carrots

Crackers
Ham
Cheese
Fresh Fruit
Cucumber
Carrots

Carrot sticks
Ham rollups with cheese
Pita chips
Granola bar

Cheese and crackers
Ham roll ups
Carrots
Fresh fruit

Bowtie Pasta
Laughing cow cheese
Tomatoes
Green beans
Trail mix
Apples and blueberries

Peanut butter sandwiches
Lego Duplo blocks – use as cookie cutter

Cheese sticks
Carrots and Jicama
Salami slices
Pancake sticks
Syrup

Carrots and cucumbers
Strawberries
Mini marshmallows
Pizza buns (recipe HERE)
Pretzels

Turkey and cheese (or substitute with another meat)
Strawberries
Tomatoes
Carrots
Dip
Pretzel fish crackers

Sandwich squares
Annie’s snack mix
Cheese crackers
Gross looking plums

Wheat cups (recipe HERE)
Taco fixin’s
Strawberries
Chicken pieces

Prepared tacos
Mandarin oranges
Broccoli salad

Peaches
Grapes
Sandwich triangles
Pirate’s Booty cheddar puffs

Banana with peanut butter rolled in a wrap or tortilla
Carrots
Fresh Fruit

String cheese
Sandwich cut into fun shapes
Goldfish crackers
Fresh Fruit

Sandwich cut into apple
Cucumber
Fruit snacks
Fig newtons
Fresh apples with dip
Granola bar

Boiled egg
Fresh fruit (kiwi and blackberries)
Corn muffin
Raw peppers

Corn dog muffins with ketchup (recipe HERE)
Cheese squares
Sweet peas/snap peas
Apples

Hamburger sandwich (ham, cheese, lettuce)
Tangerines
Cucumbers
Pretzels
A kiss

Seasoned potatoes
Pepperoni stick
String cheese
Mandarin oranges
Grapes and yogurt
Vegetables

Sub sandwich
Macaroni salad
Carrots
Strawberries

Bento box lunches for kids don’t have to be tough. There are FIVE main parts:

1. Protein
2. Fruit
3. Vegetable
4. Something sweet
5. Something salty

Also, don’t forget the drink.

If you are the plan ahead type, make a grocery list for two weeks and pack the easy stuff early on. If you are the last minute type, grab what you had for dinner the night before and make it bento-friendly. It’s truly that simple.

A TIP: Have enough lunch carriers and containers to last the week. That way, you aren’t having to wash those suckers every night. What a pain. Turns out, you have more important things to do.