Easy Toddler Lunch Box Ideas for School & Daycare

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It’s time to talk all about toddler lunch box ideas! Today I’ll be sharing all sorts of tips, resources, recipes, and more. At the end of this article, I’ll also be answering some of your toddler lunch box questions. If you’d like to see more toddler meal ideas, be sure to check out my Top 9 Free Toddler eBook. Note: these lunch ideas are also great for kiddos headed into kindergarten.

Packing lunches is a task some parents love, and some parents detest. If you’re in the second group, make sure you start teaching your little kids how to pack their lunch. This will allow them to take over the task when the time is right. Be sure to teach them with a smile though, to pass on some lunch packing joy. You can start by teaching your toddler how to wash produce, pick out a snack, and other basic/simple tasks.

If you’re looking to include a range of different foods in your toddler’s meals, know that it’s possible over time. It doesn’t matter what your child ate as a baby (many of us have seen those 1,00 days/foods articles). What matters is that you give them continued exposure and access to different foods. Model the behaviour and enjoy meals with them, and make sure meals are pressure free. Forcing kids to eat foods can backfire in the long run, and also isn’t good if your child has an undiagnosed food intolerance or non-anaphylaxis food allergy.

For Those Managing a Food Allergy or Food Restriction

Whilst this article is generalized for toddler meal ideas, if you need further support for a toddler with food allergies or other dietary restrictions, my Food Allergy Help 101 Toddlers Course may be just right for you. You can also take a lunch course, snack course, and several other courses all aimed at helping you thrive.

Know that a lot of the ideas in this article will still apply to you. You’ll need to swap some of the snack ideas for sure. The great news is that the recipes I link to are all gluten, dairy, egg, and sesame free (and much more).

More than anything, I want you to know that it’s possible to send colorful and creative lunches for your free-from toddlers that don’t leave them feeling left out.

Great Ingredients to Keep on Hand

As my kids got older, I chose to demystify lunch packing by keeping it SO simple. I usually aimed for a main item (sandwiches etc.), a packaged snack or homemade snack such as a muffin or granola bar, and fresh produce. That’s it.

I’d sometimes include a little treat as well. With four kids, I didn’t have the mental energy to make picture perfect lunches everyday, and opted to rotate through practical, easy lunches. Now, here are some great items I think you should always have available to make lunch packing a breeze.

Carbs Your Kid Enjoys (bread, English muffins, tortillas, crackers, bagels, etc.)
Deli Meat (ham, turkey, chicken, etc., you can also make this at home if needed)
Easy Healthy Fats (my kids love individual containers of organic guacamole from Costco)
Fresh Fruit
Fresh Veggies (make sure you’re stocking veggies your kids love so you know they’ll eat them at lunch time)
Hard-boiled Eggs
Jelly and Jam
Muffins
Nut Butter or Spread (Peanut Butter, Almond Butter, Sunflower Seed Butter, etc.)
Packaged Snacks (granola bars, etc.)
String Cheese and/or Mini Cheese Wheels (there are now dairy free options available for both of these)

The key is to keep an assortment of ingredients on hand so you put together a balanced lunch each day, with a little variation. However, to give some of you reading some peace of mind, some kids thrive on having the exact same thing for lunch everyday. It’s predictable, and clearly something they enjoy eating.

If that’s your child, don’t be afraid to send the same thing in your kid’s school lunches each day, just be sure to add a wide range of food options for breakfast and dinner at home.

Easy Snacks to Include in Your Toddler’s Lunch

Apple Slices (with or without dip)
Applesauce Pouch (or other fruit/veg pouch your toddler enjoys)
Banana, Cucumber, or Zucchini Slices
Banana Bread Slices (I like to batch cook and keep this in the freezer so it’s always ready to go)
Bell Peppers (cut into long slices are great for little hands to grab, and you can rotate thru the colours)
Carrot Sticks (if your child likes dips, be sure to include one)
Cheddar Cheese (think Babybel style, or small cubes you cut at home)
Dairy Free Cheese (for those who need it, you can purchase blocks to cut into cubes, and some brands have a string cheese style now)
Freeze Dried (or fresh) Strawberries (the freeze dried strawberries can add a lovely texture to your child’s lunch)
Granola Gars/Breakfast Bars (can be store bought or homemade)
Pretzel Sticks (pretzels come in a range of flavours and shapes you can rotate through)
Quartered Grapes or Quartered Cherry Tomatoes
Whole-Grain Crackers (use gluten/wheat free crackers if needed, there are lots to choose from)
Yogurt Tube (some brands offer a dairy free yogurt tube, but if you can’t find them, make one at home with a bag like this)

Friendly Reminder: foods such as cherry tomatoes and grapes are a choking hazard. Use something like the OXO grape cutter to quickly quarter them for your little one. I have this tool and seriously LOVE it.

Fresh Veggies That are Great for Lunch Boxes

Here’s a list of vegetables that hold up very well in a lunch box, and will pass the shake test for sure. If you opt to send fresh veggies, make sure your kiddo already enjoys them. Practice eating them at home before sending them to preschool. Also, don’t forget how powerful dips are. Many parents become wary of ketchup, but, if it helps your child enjoy their food, lean into it.

Bell Pepper (you can cut strips of large bell peppers, or send mini lunchbox peppers that don’t need to be cut and can be eaten whole like an apple)
Broccoli Florets (served with something like ranch dip)
Carrots and Rainbow Carrots (can be sliced, cubed, or cut into sticks, serve with a dip, baby carrots are also an option)
Cucumber
Edamame
Snap Peas
Zucchini

Fresh Fruit That’s Great for Lunch Boxes

Here are some fruits that are great for lunch boxes. Some fruits won’t hold up as well if you send your child’s lunch in a soft lunch bag rather than a hard reusable metal lunch box or bento box.

Apples (you can send slices, cubes, or even use a mini cookie cutter to make stars)
Banana
Kiwi Slices (I’d pre-peel and send them sliced and easy to eat)
Mandarin, Orange, or Clementine Segments (you may want to peel, or remove a bit of peel so it’s easy for your toddler to peel)
Melon or Cantaloupe Cubes
Pineapple Sticks/Spears
Watermelon Spears

Dips That Are Great for Lunch Boxes

Rather than fill a compartment with dip, make sure you purchase a small container for your toddler’s favourite dips. Many reusable lunchbox makers sell small containers with lids tat are perfect for a dip to travel in.

BBQ Sauce
Flavoured Mayo
Guacamole
Ketchup
Marinara Sauce or Pizza Sauce
Nut Butter, Peanut Butter, or Other Spread (if your child isn’t a fan of a plain spread, try sweetening it with a little organic honey or organic maple syrup)
Pesto
Ranch Dressing (or other creamy salad dressing your child loves, my son loves Thousand Island dressing with his lunch)
Salsa

Cold Lunch Ideas for Young Children

If you’re needing some great options that taste good cold, here are lunches that my kids loved. You may also love this RAISE resource: 25 No-Cook Free-From Lunches

Meat & Cheese Sandwich + Sliced Fruit + Homemade Granola Bars
Chili + Millet Muffins (a faux corn free corn bread I made them since I have a severe corn allergy)
Homemade Sushi + Homemade Muffin + Vegetable + Dip
Cinnamon Dusted Crescent Rolls + Thinly Sliced Meat + Apple Slices
Black Bean & Corn Pasta Salad + Ants on a Log + Mini Cheese Wheel
Chicken Salad + Quartered Grapes + Half an English Muffin
Tuna Salad + Crackers + Snap Peas + Raspberries or Strawberries
Homemade Lunchable (Crackers, Cheese Slices, Pepperoni, Tomato Sauce Dip) + Applesauce Pouch

Toddler Muffins to Make for Snacks

Grab your muffin tin and fire up the oven. Here are a few recipes I think you’ll love making at home to include as a snack in your toddler’s lunch. The best part about these recipes is that they’re freezer friendly. You can make a couple of batches in advance and grab them as needed.

Gluten Free Spinach Muffins (Egg Free, Dairy Free, Soy Free, Vegan) by The Allergy Chef

What makes a muffin toddler friendly? Usually it’s going to be low in added sugar, and possibly made with an unrefined sugar such as maple sugar. I’ve seen a lot of toddler muffins include ingredients such as yogurt or lentils to help increase the nutrition profile of the muffins.

When my kids were little, I hat them help me bake muffins and it was one of the many things that helped them gain confidence in the kitchen and I encourage you to do the same thing. If you like to bake with measuring cups and measuring spoons (I use a kitchen scale and don’t use measuring cups), you can add in little math lessons.

Toddler Lunches That are Easy to Make

If you’re looking for an easy toddler lunch idea, I have quite a few to share with you.

First up, the easiest lunch will always be dinner leftovers. Now, not all foods will taste great the next day, especially when cold. Keep that in mind as you pack lunches. Some of my fave dinner leftovers to send include chili, shredded chicken, and waffles (technically a breakfast leftover).

Meatballs are another super easy lunch to send because you make lots of them in advance and store them in your freezer.

Waffles, pancakes, and english muffins are easy to use a main food in your toddler’s lunch. Build out the rest of the lunch with fresh produce and a packaged snack such as a fruit bar or granola bar.

Fried rice is another easy lunch to send with your toddler. You can use leftover rice, scrambled eggs, and oven baked peas as a super basic starting point. Add more ingredients, season to taste, and you have a basic yummy option for your kiddo.

Pizza bagels are easy, and can be baking in the oven whilst you get breakfast ready. To make this, top a bagel with pizza sauce (can even be a pasta sauce), cheese, and toppings your child enjoys. Heat in the oven to melt the cheese.

Homemade lunchables are a huge easy win if you ask me. You can use anything as your base (rice cakes, pita bread, etc.) and add cut meat and cheese to the lunch box. It’s a good idea to practice eating homemade lunchables at home before sending it to school with your child, as not all kids will take to the building experience.

Toddler Friendly Recipes for Lunches

Here are a few really great recipes to make at home for your toddler’s lunch box. Each recipe is gluten free, dairy free, egg free, and allergy friendly.

Gluten & Dairy Free Broccoli Mac n Cheese
Easy Turkey Smash Burger Patties
Creamy Dairy Free Pasta Sauce
Lamb Ragu (you can use any ground meat)

Lunch Boxes That are Great for Toddlers

When selecting a lunch box, especially if your child attends a care center or preschool, think about these features:

How well does the food travel? Does everything inside get scrambled when shaken?
Can your child open the latch/closure?
Is the lunch box easy to clean?
Is there a place for ice packs?

At the end of the day, the right lunch box will be one that can hold the right amount of items for your child, and one that they can open if needed. My top three lunch boxes for toddlers are:

Each of these is toddler friendly, and most 3 and 4 year olds can manage the latches. In the case of the Austin Baby Co., there’s a removable lid rather than a latch. I haven’t personally tested how well the lid stays in place, especially if it’s in a backpack etc., so be sure to test that out if you opt to go that route.

If you plan to send a Thermos style product, know that it’s hard for little hands to get these open. Make sure the preschool has people available to help your child when needed (lunch can be a busy time of the day for them).


Planet Box Lunch with Glass Insert	Austin Baby Co. Lunch

Tips for Selective/Picky Eaters

Have your toddler help with planning, shopping, and meal prep. You can use an app such as LaLa Lunchbox to get your kiddos involved in the planning process. If you shop online, have your child sit with you and click a few buttons. If you have the mental energy, take them to the grocery store with you. Where they can, little ones can help with prep. Kid safe knives will allow them to help cut produce, and they can also help wash said produce.

When packing your toddler’s lunch box, especially if they’re a selective/picky eater, it’s important to include foods you know they’ll be willing to eat. This isn’t the time to try a range of new foods, as we want to make sure they won’t go hungry.

When introducing new foods, don’t make it a focal point of your toddler’s lunch, especially if they’re not eating lunch at home. For example, if blueberries are a new fresh fruit you’re introducing, include 2 or 3 blueberries in the lunch. Everything else should be foods your toddler is familiar with and happy to eat. No matter your child’s age, this is generally a good practice to follow, as we want them to fuel up when they’re away from home.

If you’re concerned about serving a variety of foods, remember, you can introduce and rotate through other foods during breakfast and dinner time at home.

Mini cookie cutters can be a great way to transform foods into fun shapes your child will be excited to try (or at least touch, which counts as a food exposure). The photo below is a good example for you.

When introducing a new food at home, serve small pieces/small quantities of foods to help reduce food waste.

Use neutral language about food, and try to avoid words such as yuck and gross. Instead, try words such as different or interesting.

Keep in mind that fresh produce can be a world of uncertainty for a toddler. Think about how some berries can be sweet, tart, a little under ripe, or overly squishy. Some kids really want consistent/predictable foods.

Have FUN with food. Food play can go a long way in helping a little one try a new food. If you need more ideas on this topic, RAISE has a guide for members.

Remember, we all have food preferences, so it’s perfectly normal/understandable that your toddler does as well. In my opinion, selective/picky eating is a normal phase, however, if your child has less than 20 safe raw ingredients they’re willing to eat, it may be time to look for professional help. Additionally, if your child is refusing meals and falling off their growth curve, some type of feeding therapy could be helpful.

If picky eating is a growing concern in your home, my friend Jennifer over at Kids Eat in Color has a great picky eating quiz you can take to help gauge if this is a normal phase, or something else.

Lunch Ideas for a Preschool without a Fridge

If for some reason you aren’t able to store your child’s lunch in the fridge at their preschool, here are some ways to get around that. First, if possible, send your child’s lunch with two ice packs (an ice pack on top and another on bottom). The best way to achieve this is to use lunch boxes or bento boxes that come with a carrier/fitted bag. Usually, the carrier has pockets for ice packs.

The next option is to send meals that don’t require refrigeration. Here are several lunch ideas that would be fine at room temperature for an extended amount of time.

Nut Butter or Spread + Jam on a tortilla or wrap as a roll up (think pin wheels). Pair that with produce and a snack such as a Free Yumm bar.
Banana + Nut Butter or Spread Sandwich, paired with produce and snack bar.
Waffles or Pancakes, paired with produce and a snack bar. The pancake and waffle recipes I share on RAISE are all free from gluten, wheat, eggs, milk, and more (for those who need that).
Homemade Muffin + Soft Jerky (check out the Epic brand) + Fruit + Veggie

Remember, you can still send items that need to stay cold so long as you have the right kind of lunch box with insulation and ice packs.

Nutritious Meals to Pack for Lunch

When it comes to sending a nutritious lunch to preschool or daycare, there are a lot of great options to choose from. Here are just a few ideas for your toddler’s lunches:

Black Beans & Cheese Quesadillas + Cucumber Slices + Baby Carrots + Dip (this can be made both gluten free and dairy free for those who need it)
Pita + Sliced Veggies + Hummus + Greek Yogurt (send regular yogurt if your kiddo isn’t a fan)
Spread & Bananas Tortilla Pinwheels (nut, seed, legume, and tuber spreads are all great healthy fats)
Cheese Quesadillas + Sliced Bell Peppers + Quartered Grapes + Organic Guacamole

These lunchbox ideas are only scratching the surface. There are so many individual ingredients you can pull from to create a balanced diet. Think whole grains, fresh produce, dried fruit, unsweetened dairy products (and dairy free products), clean meats, roasted vegetables, and more. As you put together lunchboxes for your kiddo, also try to include a range of colors. Here are some pictures to inspire you when it comes to colors:

More Toddler Meal Ideas & Recipes

If you’re looking for great meal ideas for free-from toddlers, these articles are very helpful.

Your Toddler Lunch Box Questions Answered

Are bento boxes good for toddlers?

Absolutely! In fact, Austin Baby Co. sells a super cute, silicone, dishwasher safe toddler lunch box. The key in selecting a bento box for your toddler will be making sure their little hands can reach into the compartments to pull out food. Another popular brand for little kids is the brand Bentago. The size is great for the amount of food most toddlers eat, and the openings aren’t too tall. It’s easy for little hands to reach in and grab food.

I’m sure you’ll find other brands when searching. Make sure you purchase something that will be durable, as these lunch boxes can be pricey. Finally, make sure you prevent mold growth by storing the lunch box with the lid open (ensures there’s no trapped water).

Is there an easy way to send chicken nuggets in a lunch and have them stay hot?

Having food stay hot can be a challenge indeed. I had one child who was nugget obsessed and the best I was able to do was fresh/hot nuggets wrapped in foil. It’s not hot at lunch time, but not super cold either, and said child didn’t complain much.

If you have a child who absolutely needs the nuggets hot for sensory reasons, here are two options. First, ask the school to heat it up for them. Second, look into battery powered electric lunch boxes. They can keep food hot, however, aren’t ideal for an unsupervised toddler. If supervision/adult handling is an option, check out the brand Lunch Eaze.

Do you have ideas for healthy lunches for toddlers?

It’s important to remember that the term “healthy” is an unregulated term, and can mean something different to everyone. However, a healthy lunch doesn’t need to be complicated. Here are some combinations I’d personally consider healthy toddler lunch ideas:

Sandwich + Carrot Sticks + Piece of Fruit
Chicken Salad + Cheese Cubes + Fresh Veggies
Ground Beef (or other ground meat) + Pita Bread or Whole Grain Cracker + Quartered Tomatoes + Dip
Lunch Meat Rolls (Whole Wheat Tortilla + Spread + Lunch Meat/Thin Meat Slices) + Fresh Produce + Dip (the spread can be anything from ranch dressing to cream cheese to smashed fresh avocados)

My child will only eat foods served with ketchup or ranch dressing. How can I change that?

Let me ask you this: why do you want to change that? Let’s think about this differently. Let’s say you have a child that refuses to eat carrot sticks. When you serve the carrots with ketchup, your child eats them. That my friend is a food win.

Dips, in my humble opinion, are not the issue. If cost is a factor, you could make dips at home, or try a less expensive brand. Let’s say added sugar is the issue, look at natural/organic refined sugar free brands such as True Made Foods and Good Food For Good.

If dips are a problem because you think they’re a problem, I would challenge you to see them as an opportunity to have your child try new food groups. You can also try introducing your child to new dips to rotate through. Remember, there are no hard and fast rules when feeding toddlers (unless it’s a medical condition/rule), so use dips to your advantage. You can serve anything at any time, and as long as your kiddo is fed, all is well.

Do you have a toddler lunch box idea that includes cottage cheese? My kid is obsessed.

Cottage cheese isn’t something my kids ate since we managed a dairy allergy. However, I’d serve easy to grab finger foods alongside the cottage cheese. Here are a few examples:

Mini pancakes + Cottage Cheese + Apple Slices
Roasted Sweet Potatoes + Cottage Cheese + Shredded Rotisserie Chicken
Steamed Rice + Cottage Cheese + Fresh Produce

If I were in your shoes, I would lean into your child’s obsession with cottage cheese as a good bento box idea. The box has compartments so you don’t need to think about a traditional meal, rather, items your kiddo loves to fill each opening.

Is it possible to send smoothies in a lunch?

Yes, you absolutely can! The two things to focus on will be the container, and the temperature. You’ll want to make sure to use two ice packs when sending smoothies in a lunch box. For the container, I’d suggest a Thermos style container with a leak-proof lid. The last thing you want is to have smoothie spill everywhere.

Before sending smoothies in your child’s preschool lunch regularly, practice at home. Make a smoothie in the morning, pack it the way you would for preschool, then at lunch time, walk your child through the process. Show them how to give it a shake or stir first, as smoothies tend to separate when they’ve been sitting for a while.

Also take note of your child enjoys their smoothies. Would it be good to send a spoon or straw? Do they prefer to drink it straight? If they drink it straight, is it super messy? These are all things you’ll want to consider. Once you’ve assessed and figured out the best way, go for it. Smoothies are a great way to send varied nutrition in your child’s lunch and it’s something they can help you make.

You can also have fun with your smoothies. Give them super cool names like a Hulk Smoothie, Grinch Smoothie, or Power Smoothie. No reason to not have fun with food, right?

I’m struggling to create a balanced meal for toddler that’s gluten free, dairy free, egg free, and nut free. Any tips?

Yes, I’ve got lots of tips for you. First, think about basic nutrition components: carbohydrates, protein, fat, and vitamins/antioxidants. When we look at food this way, it’s a lot easier to see solutions. With that formula, here are several easy school lunch ideas that would meet your needs:

Meatballs + Celery Sticks + Gluten Free Tortilla + Apple Slices + SunButter Spread
Deli Meat + Strawberries + Banana Slices + Gluten Free Crackers + Avocado Dip (or guacamole)
Gluten Free Granola (check out Red Plate Foods) + Dairy Free Yogurt + Top 9 Free Mini Cookies + Ants on a Log
SunButter GF Wrap or Tortilla Roll Up + Pineapple Stars + 88 Acres or Blake’s Seed Based Bar + Snap Peas

Foods such as meatballs can be dinner leftovers, or something that you batch cook and freeze to get ahead. Hopefully these ideas give you an idea of how to create a balanced meal without feeling too much pressure.

I’ll add this: I listed ideas that are also coconut free since the FDA classifies coconut as a tree nut for labeling laws even though coconuts are drupes. If your child can have coconut, check out the plant-based mini cheese wheels that are coconut based by Babybel. That could be a great addition to your kiddo’s lunch.

Would hot dogs be good for a packed lunch?

Maybe. There are a few things to consider. First, are the hot dogs a choking hazard for your child? If you plan on sending bite-sized pieces that are easy to chew with a dip, I think that could be really fun.

If you’re planning to send a large hot dog in a bun with a large amount of dip, that could get messy and may not be the best option for your toddler’s lunch. A great way to assess: practice at home. One afternoon, just for fun, have a lunchbox picnic on the floor for dinner. Prepare the hot dogs how you’d send them in a packed lunch and see how it goes.

Be sure to add produce and some kind of fat (such as guacamole for dipping) for balance and fullness.

Are peaches a good lunch snack for toddlers?

Peaches (and nectarines) are an awesome lunch snack, but a there are a couple of things to think about first. Will you be sending the peaches whole, or sliced? Perhaps you’ll purchase a fruit cup of peaches as an alternative?

Peach slices will be easy for you child to eat at lunchtime, however, they can experience browning, or get crushed if you’re using a lunch bag rather than a hard lunch box with compartments. To combat the browning, a little lime juice on the peaches can help.

For the actual lunch box, I suggest Bentgo, Planet Box, and Austin Baby Co. They all have compartments to prevent foods from touching and/or being crushed. Plus, they’re easy for little hands to open, are easy to transport, and are dishwasher safe.

Would oatmeal be a good toddler lunch?

In theory, yes, oatmeal would be a fantastic toddler lunch, maybe with a little cinnamon and raisins on top as well. First, you need to practice this one at home and see how your child feels about eating lukewarm or even cold oatmeal. Not every preschool can heat up lunches for kids, and if that’s the boat you’re in, your child needs to enjoy oatmeal when it’s not fresh and hot.

Next, have you considered overnight oats as an alternative option? Let’s say your child doesn’t like oatmeal after it’s been sitting for several hours. Overnight oats aren’t cooked and are designed to be eaten cold. Have your child prep some with you, shake them up and dance together, then try them at home. Make sure you leave them out or in a lunch bag with an ice pack for an accurate representation of what your child would have at preschool.

If they go for that, then you have a winning option and you can send overnight oats as fun main food in their lunch box. If they don’t like the oatmeal or the overnight oats, then I’d encourage you to check out baked oat bars. That may be a great way to incorporate the oats in a format your child will enjoy.

Is the Omiebox a good lunch box for toddlers?

I’ve heard mixed reviews about the Omiebox, especially for little kids. Several parents (including a proper lunchbox packing pro) have shared that the lid on the thermos-style section is too difficult to open. I’ve also heard mixed reviews about how easy it is to clean.

Now, I do have one for the sake of taking super cute lunch photos, but my kids have never taken one for school. In fact, they’ve only used it as teenagers, eating from it after photos have been taken. Considering the cost of the lunchbox, I would only take the leap if there’s a good return policy. Test it out with our child and see if they can get the lid off the little bowl insert and if not, I’d send it back.