Packing a school lunch box five days a week can feel like a never-ending puzzle. You want something healthy, something they'll actually eat, and something that survives the trip to school in the bottom of a backpack. Here are 10 easy, kid-approved lunch box ideas, plus a few packing tips to make school mornings quicker.
1. DIY wrap pinwheels
Spread a wholemeal wrap with cream cheese or hummus, add grated carrot, spinach and shaved ham or chicken, then roll it tightly and slice into rounds. Pinwheels fit neatly into a bento compartment and are easy for little hands.
2. Warm pasta in a thermal food jar
On cooler days, heat leftover pasta, mac and cheese or bolognese until piping hot and pack it into an insulated food jar. Pre-warm the jar with boiling water for a few minutes first so the food stays warm until lunchtime.
3. Mini muffin snack plate
Bake a batch of savoury zucchini and cheese mini muffins on the weekend and freeze them. Pop one straight into the lunch box in the morning and it'll be thawed by recess.
4. Build-your-own crackers
Pack wholegrain crackers, cheese cubes, cucumber rounds and cherry tomatoes in separate sections. Kids love assembling their own stacks, and a divided lunch box keeps the crackers from going soggy.
5. Fried rice leftovers
Make extra fried rice at dinner with peas, corn, egg and diced chicken. It's just as good warm in a thermal jar or at room temperature the next day.
6. Yoghurt, berries and granola
Spoon thick yoghurt into one compartment and berries or diced mango into another, with a sprinkle of granola on the side so it stays crunchy. A leakproof seal is a must for this one.
7. Rice paper rolls
Fill rice paper with vermicelli, lettuce, carrot and cooked prawns or tofu. Roll them the night before and cover with a damp paper towel so they stay soft.
8. Soup on a cold day
Pumpkin soup, chicken and corn soup or minestrone all travel well in an insulated food jar. Add a small wholemeal roll on the side for dunking.
9. Fruit kebabs
Thread grapes, melon, strawberries and pineapple onto short paddle-pop sticks. They're colourful, fun to eat and great for kids who are fussy about sandwiches.
10. The "snack box" lunch
For younger kids, a grazing-style lunch often works best: a boiled egg, cheese, crackers, veggie sticks, a few dried apricots and a piece of fruit. Small portions of lots of things are less overwhelming than one big sandwich.
Lunch box packing tips
- Prep the night before. Chop fruit and veggies and portion snacks in the evening to save time in the morning.
- Keep wet and dry foods apart. A lunch box with separate compartments stops soggy sandwiches and mixed-up flavours.
- Go plastic-free. Stainless steel doesn't hold stains or smells and lasts for years, so it's a smart swap for plastic containers.
- Get the kids involved. Let them choose between two healthy options. Kids are far more likely to eat a lunch they helped pick.
- Use the right size. A small snack box is ideal for recess, while a bigger bento suits main lunch.
Find the right lunch box
Our PAK-AH-BOO Insulated Stainless Steel Lunch Box has 3 compartments plus a thermal food jar, so hot pasta and cold fruit can share one leakproof lunch box. It comes in Blue and Pink.
For recess and little appetites, the PAK-AH-BOO Stainless Steel Bento Snack Box holds 400ml across 2 compartments, with an attached lid that never goes missing. Choose from Pink, Purple and Green.
Both are made from food-grade 304 stainless steel and ship Australia-wide, with free shipping on orders over $100.