I know how it goes—trying to come up with healthy lunch ideas that your kids will actually eat (and not trade away or throw out in the trash can) can feel like a never-ending challenge. If you're stuck in a sandwich rut and looking for some fresh inspiration, I’ve got you covered! Let’s make lunchtime fun with some easy and healthy bento box ideas that are packed with goodness and guaranteed to keep your little ones excited to open their lunch. Plus, these are super simple to put together, so you can get out the door faster in the morning.
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Make Your Bento Box Sandwich Lunch Different Every Time
Protein Packed Pancake Sandwich Bento Lunch Box
Source: @whatlisacooks
Flatbread Ham and Avocado Sandwich Bento Lunch Box
Source: @bentomasters
Good Old PBJ Sandwich Bento Box Lunch Idea
Source: @simplyrecipes
Grilled Cheese Bento Box Lunch Idea
Grilled cheese is another huge favorite of my kids. While it’s the best when it’s hot, it’s also good when it’s not so piping hot.
Source: Eat This, Not That!
Easy Ham and Cheese Sandwich Lunch Box Idea
Great thing about bento box lunches are that you can add veggies/fruits on top of a main lunch meal.
Source: @naptimekitchen
Source: @thelunchboxgrind
Rocketship Sandwich Kids Bento Lunch Box
This bento box will inspire you to take your lunch packing to the next level. You can get the rocketship mold and make any sandwich more fun!
Source: @bambinolove.au
Easy & Cute Mini Burger Kids Bento Lunch Box
Chicken Burger Kids Lunch Box Idea
Source: @thelunchboxgrind
Mini Burger Kids Bento Box Lunch Idea
Source: @thelunchboxgrind
Asian Kids Bento Lunch Box Ideas
Chicken Katsu Onigiri Kids Bento Lunch Box
Aside from the tuna onigiri, I love these chicken katsu onigiris as the main lunch food. They are easy, protein rich, and healthy!
Source: @thelunchboxgrind
Fried Rice Kids Bento Lunch Box
This asian bento lunch box idea is great if you have fried rice as leftover, or if you want to quickly heat pre-cooked frozen rice, like our favorite Trader Joe’s fried rice.
Source: @omieboxsg
Tuna Rice Roll Asian Bento Box Lunch Idea
My kids loooove tuna rice balls…the ones you get at Japanese grocery stores, those triangle tuna onigiri rice balls are a huge hit, whenever I make them. They are great to be made ahead, and pop them in the lunch box.
Source: @bambinolove.au
Other Kids Bento Lunch Ideas
Quail Egg Bento Lunch Box Idea
Are the eggs too big to fit into the lunch box? If your kid isn’t a huge fan of a large boiled egg, add boiled quail eggs for protein rich lunch meal.
Source: @2kidslunches
Mini Pizza Bento Lunch Box
Source: @teukoapp
Waffles & Cheese Bento Lunch Box
If your kid doesn’t like cottage cheese (like mine!) you can substitute it with yogurt. Bentgo lunch boxes are leak proof so you don’t have to worry about yogurt leaking. I would just add extra ice packs in the lunch box or these Packit lunch bags to keep it cold all day.
Source: @livecomposed
Fish Sticks Kids Bento Lunch Box
One trick to getting your fish sticks to stay crispy and not soggy in the thermos bento box is that you pour hot water, drain the hot water, completely dry the inside of the container and putting the fish sticks in. Another trick I’ve added to keep it from getting soggy is adding paper towel at the bottom to soak up any moisture.
Source: @thelunchboxgrind
Bento Box Lunch Boxes For Kids
If you are looking for some of our favorite bento boxes perfect for kids school lunches, these are our tried and true favorites. I always look for compartment versatility, size, dish-washer safe lunch boxes. And another important thing to think about is whether the lid is attached to the main box, because if they are not, your kid will easily lose them at school!
Omie Lunch Box
If you want to pack hot pasta, chicken nuggets, or fried rice, this is my go-to lunch box for my kids. It’s slightly bigger than other kids lunch boxes, so if you have a big eater or want to combine snacks and lunch into one lunch box, this is a great option.
Bentgo Kids Bento Lunch Box
Bentgo has few options when it comes to their size, and compartment structures. I’ve used two so far and they are both great and it really comes down to the types of food you will pack for your kiddos.
Smaller Bento Lunch Box For Kids (Great For Preschool or Kindergarten)
Elementary School Kids Bento Lunch Box
This is the one I use all the time for my kids. And they are great! They are versatile, dish washer safe, and perfect size for elementary school kids.
Bentgo Snack Box
Ever since my kids switched to a school that provides lunch at the cafeteria, I needed to look for snack box options. Bentgo also has these cute snack boxes that are perfect for snack time.
Best Lunch Bags
I’ve gone through so many lunch bags over the years. One thing that I look for is the size….whether it fits the bento lunch box easily and also have pockets to add ice packs…and some extra snacks if the kids want chips or other packaged snacks.
Packit Lunch Bags
These are great if you don’t want to lose ice packs you put into your kids lunch bags. They also stay cold way longer than a regular ice pack. I also love their snack bags that look like a cosmetic bag but keep cold for a long time for yogurt or cheese snack.
Bentgo Lunch Bags
They are perfect for bentgo lunch boxes. They fit snugly and come in a variety of prints. It also has pockets for ice packs, which is great and convenient. These also fit Omie lunch boxes pretty snugly so works great for both!
And there you have it, a bunch of fun and healthy bento box ideas to keep your kids happy and nourished all week long. Remember, lunchtime doesn’t have to be complicated—just mix and match their favorites, add a little variety, and watch those lunch boxes come home empty. Here’s to making school lunches stress-free, delicious, and something your kiddos will look forward to every day!
Relevant Posts:
- Charcuterie Boards for Kids
- Lunch Ideas for Toddlers at Preschool
- 20 Healthy After School Snack Ideas for Kids
- Easy and Healthy Toddler Lunch Ideas
