Perfectly packable back-to-school lunches

Whether you’re fixing school lunches by the light of the moon or with the rising sun, ease is the name of the game. Read along for a weekly menu featuring nutrient-rich and delicious meals that are perfectly packable. Sub in and out with your child’s favorite veggies, fruits, and meat. 

To make packing lunches a breeze, commit to a little meal preparation on Saturday or Sunday and prepare a bulk order of grilled chicken. You’ll thank yourself later. Cut Monday’s serving into strips and save the rest for Tuesday’s lunch. 

Over the weekend plan to make granola balls and blueberry protein muffins (these are great recipes to let the kids get involved), so they’re easy to grab and go! Feeling stretched for time? Buy a prepared protein ball, blueberry muffin, or other protein-filled treat. 

Close to the weekend, bake or buy a loaf of sweet bread, such as banana bread with chocolate chips. That way you can serve the bread with lunch and it will double as a pre-breakfast treat on a slow Saturday morning. 

For ease of packing, consider a bento box style lunch tray with compartments and a spill-proof lid. This saves the hassle of foil or plastic bags for every component of the lunch. Lastly, don’t forget to surprise your little one with a note! Nothing like a word of encouragement or a little drawn heart to remind them that you’re always thinking of them. 

Without further ado, let’s dig into lunch! 

Monday

• Grilled chicken strips
• Granola ball
• Cucumber wedges and hummus
• Fruit snack (Costco has a great selection of healthy fruit snacks that kids love) 
• Fresh blueberries 

Tuesday

• Grilled chicken salad wrap or grilled chicken Caesar salad
• Bag of chips, popcorn, or trail mix
• Blueberry protein muffin 
• Bell pepper slivers and ranch
• Box of raisins 

Wednesday 

• Hummus or avocado sandwich topped with everything bagel seasoning (cut in a fun cookie cutter shape if you’re feeling fancy)
• Granola ball
• Cucumber circles and ranch 
• Squeezable yogurt pouch 
• Cheese slices or cheese stick 
• Almonds and chocolate chips 

Thursday

• Ham and cheese rolls on a toothpick and topped with an olive 
• Blueberry protein muffin 
• Chickpeas (crunchy or raw) 
• Celery and ranch 
• Cashews 
• A chunk of chocolate 

Friday 

• Tuna salad wraps 
• Granola ball 
• Caesar salad 
• Bag of chips, popcorn, or trail mix
• Fruit snack 
• Fresh blueberries 

Bonus

• Zucchini Fritters or Salmon cakes (make for dinner one night and have leftovers for lunch!)
• Slice of maple carrot bread or banana bread
• Sliced bell peppers and ranch
• Cashews 
• Frozen strawberries (thawed but still slightly icy by lunch, yum!) 
• Homemade honey granola for snacking or topping yogurt

What are your go-to easy lunches? Please share ideas in the comments!