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Selection of 19 lunch box treats that the kids are going to love taking to school. These treats are tasty, fun and also really simple to make.
These are some savory and sweet lunch box ideas that will make going back to school that little bit more desirable.
The quick and easy recipes are perfect for the back to school rush and also great for those picky eaters!
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Kids are fussy eaters, there is no doubt about that.
What they love one week, they will suddenly hate the next.
Filling a lunch box can become a complete headache as half the time you know the food will be arriving home in that box at the end of the day.
To avoid the frustration and to ensure an empty lunch box at the end of the day, adding some variety is key.
All these lunch box treats will be loved by the kids. Some of them can be prepared in advance and stocked up in the freezer to grab when you need.
If kids have fun with their lunch, they are more likely to eat it.
The lunch box treats are split up between sweet and savory ideas.
By choosing a selection of these, the kids are going to have a feast!
Savory Lunch Box Treats
1. Sweetcorn Muffins
Source: Smart Party Planning
Kids love muffins. Whether they are sweet or savory muffins, they will always be a hit.
These easy sweetcorn muffins definitely fit into that category.
They are bite sized which makes them perfect for the lunch box, and with a super simple recipe, the kids can also help prepare them.
2. Cheese Straws
Source: Smart Party Planning
These quick and easy cheese straws are perfect for the kids lunch box.
They can be whipped up as soon as the kids get home from school for a quick snack and then extra’s made for the lunch box the next couple of days.
Plus, they taste super yummy.
3. Veggie Pizza Pockets
Source: Smart Party Planning
Do you know of any kids that don’t like pizza?
No, I don’t either!
That makes these veggie pizza pockets perfect for the lunch box.
They are a lot of fun and can be changed up with lots of different filing ideas.
4. Baked Cheesy Cauliflower Bites
Source: Smart Party Planning
These baked cheesy cauliflower bites are perfect for getting some extra veggies into the kids, without them even realizing they are eating them!
They are perfect for adding a bit of fun to the lunch box.
5. Sweet Potato Muffins
Source: April Golighty
Everyone loves muffins. They are fun food, and they are also very filling.
This makes them perfect for the lunch box.
These sweet potato muffins are not only healthy but incredibly yummy too.
Kids will love the sweet taste of the potato whilst also having a nutritious and filling snack.
They are a win win.
6. Veggie Egg Cups
Source: Recipes From A Pantry
The secret to getting kids to eat their veggies is to make them fun. That’s exactly what has been done with these veggie egg cups.
They look fun and inviting, and would be the perfect size for some lunch box snacks.
7. Hungry Hippo Sandwiches
Source: Two Healthy Kitchens
It’s easy to see why kids get bored of sandwiches in their lunch box, so imagine their surprise if they opened it and saw these hungry hippo sandwiches.
I think they would bring a few smiles to the face don’t you think?
8. Pin Wheel Sandwich Kabobs
Source: Two Healthy Kitchens
If we want our kids to eat what’s in their lunch box, then it needs to be fun
That’s exactly what you get with these pin wheel sandwich kabobs.
If the lunch box isn’t big enough to fit the skewer in, you could easily cut it in half and make two smaller one’s.
9. Veggie Cream Cheese Roll Up’s
Source: Big Flavors From A Tiny Kitchen
Another variation on the pin wheel’s are these veggie cream cheese roll up’s.
You can make these with any veggies that you have to hand and the veggies that you know the kids will eat.
The kids will love the cream cheese holding it all together.
10. Grilled Cheese Kabobs
Source: My Gluten Free Kitchen
Love the idea of the kabobs?
These grilled cheese kabobs would also be a very welcome surprise.
They look fun to eat, and they taste great, so this makes them the perfect lunch box snacks.
11. Gluten & Dairy Free Goldfish
Source: Strength & Sunshine
These goldfish crackers are gluten and dairy free.
This makes them the perfect lunch box snacks that the little one’s can tuck into.
Sweet Lunch Box Treats
Whilst we want to pack healthy lunch box’s for our kids, we also want to make them fun.
Our kids are at school 5 days out of 7, so a little bit of fun in the lunch box would certainly brighten up their day.
I also use the sweet treats as a bit of a bribing factor.
If my daughter doesn’t eat her lunch at school, there are no sweet treats in the lunch box the next day.
It might not be the best parenting technique, but you have to run with what works right?
Besides, provided that everything is in moderation, I don’t see that there is a problem with providing a little sweet treat here and there.
It’s also about portion control.
You might be able to slip in some super sweet lunch box treats, but provided that it is a small portion, it’s not going to hurt.
Of course these are not ALL super sweet, there are some healthier lunch box treats here too.
Mix them up and have a little bit of fun with that “sweet treat section” of the lunch box.
12. Simple Flapjacks
Source: Smart Party Planning
I pretty much grew up on these simple flapjacks.
Mom would make them for all sorts of occasions and they were definitely good as lunch box treats.
They are also incredibly quick and easy to make, which is a bonus!
13. Blueberry Banana Mini Muffins
Source: Smart Party Planning
Muffins are always a great ‘go to’ for lunch box treats.
These blueberry banana mini muffins are perfect for little hands, plus they look fun and inviting to eat.
14. Fruit Oat Cookies
Source: Smart Party Planning
Not only are these fruit oat cookies incredibly delicious, but they are healthy for you too.
This makes them the perfect sweet lunch box treat for the kids.
They won’t know they are healthy, and if you don’t tell them, they will want to gobble up the lot!
15. Banana Puffs
Source: Smart Party Planning
These banana puffs are great to whip up as an after school snack, but also to then put in the lunch box for the following day.
They are melt in the mouth goodness that kids absolutely love.
16. Chocolate Cookie Bars
Source: Smart Party Planning
Chocolate cookie bars are the ultimate lunch box treats, and you can’t go wrong with this recipe.
As long as they are cut into small size bars, seeing one of these in the lunch box would create a lot of excitement.
17. Rainbow Granola Bars
Source: Peas And Crayons
These chewy no-bake rainbow granola bars are the perfect lunch box treats.
They are far better for you than any store bought bars, but they are just as much fun.
18. Banana Split Granola Kabobs
Source: Big Flavors From A Tiny Kitchen
How delicious do these banana split granola kabobs look.
These kabobs are not only fun, but also peanut allergy friendly.
They would also be awesome packed with a mini yogurt pot for dipping!
19. Gluten Free Rice Krispie Treats
Source: Strength and Sunshine
Kids always love rice krispie treats and they are perfect for lunch box treats.
These ones are gluten free, sugar free and vegan! That means all kids can eat and enjoy them.
Regardless of whether your kids is a fussy eater or not, trying a selection of these lunch box treats will certainly mix up the boredom.
Start the new school year off with some fun lunch box fillings, and make batches to put in the freezer so you are not stressing later in the year.
If you can be a little bit prepared now, it will be easier to keep up these lunch box treats as the year goes on.
Have you tried one in particular that the kids loved? I’d love for you to share your experience below.
Need some more recipe ideas? Check out our entire range of party food ideas that are perfect for the kids and adults too. There are plenty of homemade birthday cakes, cupcakes, cookies, chocolate popcorn and other delicious recipes that guests will all love.
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