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7 Easy and Tasty Cold Lunch Ideas for Kids

Sep 23, 2021

Coming up with new, healthy lunch ideas for your kids week after week can be challenging. Especially, if you’re aiming for filling meals that are easy to make. Instead of making the same ham and cheese sandwich for their school bento box every day, you can choose some of our yummy cold lunch ideas that your little ones will love.

These kids lunch ideas are easy to pack and require no reheating. That makes them perfect for packing to school or picnic if they have a field trip coming.

Here are some interesting cold lunch ideas for kids that will keep their appetites healthy.

7 Cold Lunch Ideas for Kids

These cold lunch ideas are so delicious that you may end up packing them for work as well.

1. Egg Salad Sliders

Your kid won’t be able to resist the combination of soft rolls and Greek yogurt egg salad, and neither will you. They are soft and fluffy and take a little less than 30 minutes to make.

To make the salad, mash boiled eggs with Greek yogurt, Roma tomato, chives, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Fill the rolls with this healthy salad and add some arugula if desired.

You can make the salad in advance and keep it in the fridge, and use it the next morning to pack a delicious cold lunch for your kid.

2. Avocado and Egg Toast

Eggs are an amazing source of protein, and luckily, versatile as well. You can use them in many ways to include them in your kids’ diet, so here’s one more recipe to consider when packing lunch for your kids. This time eggs are combined with the nutrient-dense avocado.

To make this healthy cold lunch, spread some freshly smashed avocado on toasted whole wheat bread and top it with slices of boiled eggs. Thanks to the high protein content, the toast will keep your kid full until the next meal.

3. Cob Pasta Salad

This easy-to-put-together meal is full of fresh ingredients and your kid won’t get enough of it. It’s delicious and refreshing, and ideal to make at the end of the week when you have leftover cooked pasta, hard-boiled eggs, or deli cuts.

You can make the salad in advance and store it in the fridge. In that way, you’ll always have something at hand when packing lunch for your kids or yourself.

All you have to do is mix cooked pasta with egg, turkey, grape tomatoes, cheese, bacon, and ham. Add the Ranch dressing and mix to combine. Your salad is ready.

4. Tortilla Pinwheels

Here’s a fun lunch idea for your kid that’s easy and quick to make. Tortilla pinwheels are great for packed lunches and are quite healthy as well. This is an excellent way to change up your kid’s lunch menu when they get tired of sandwiches.

Spread ranch dressing and cream cheese mixture on a tortilla. Lay slices of lunch meat and cheese and spread another thin layer of the same mixture. Roll the tortilla up nice and tight, and refrigerate it for a few hours wrapped in plastic wrap. Refrigerate only if you have time for it.

Cut the tortilla wrap into pinwheel slices and use lollipop sticks or toothpicks to hold the slices together. Your kid will love it.

5. Zucchini Muffins

Adding healthy and tasty muffins to your kid’s lunch menu is always a good idea. These zucchini bread muffins are made of healthy ingredients including a variety of vegetables and fruits. Plus, they taste great.

Shred zucchini and add salt. Let it stay for a while and then drain it. In the meantime, melt butter and mix it with maple syrup and honey. Add vanilla, eggs, shredded apple, carrot, and the drained zucchini. Stir well.

In another bowl, whisk together grain flour, whole grain flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and nutmeg. Gradually add the flour mixture to the shredded zucchini mixture while stirring gently. Fill the muffin pans with the batter and cook for about 20 minutes in a preheated oven to 350°F.

6. Greek Grilled Chicken and Hummus Wrap

Here’s another great way to use tortillas to make a fun and refreshing cold lunch for your kid. It’s easy to make and contains healthy ingredients such as hummus, vegetables, and protein-rich grilled chicken breasts. You can use leftover chicken as well.

Dice chicken breasts into cubes, add vinaigrette, and toss to combine. Spread your kid’s favorite hummus over tortillas, and top with chicken cubes, tomatoes, lettuce, feta cheese, and cucumber. Wrap it nicely.

7. Club Sandwich

Even though simple, club sandwiches are a great idea for your kid’s school bento box. They are filling and delicious, and kids can never resist them. You can use white bread and toast it to add texture and flavor.

Use your favorite bread and add layers of turkey, ham, cheddar cheese, bacon, tomato, lettuce, and some mayonnaise. If your kid doesn’t like any of these ingredients, you can always omit it or replace it with another one.

Conclusion

From sliders and muffins to salads and sandwiches, there are some great cold lunch ideas for kids on our list that will make packing lunches for your little eaters easier for any parent.

Article Posted In: Kids Lunch

Tags: lunch ideas, lunch ideas for kids

Milena Popova

Milena is an ESL teacher with over 7 years of experience in writing articles on her favorite topics - food and health. In her free time, she loves trying out new recipes, reading, listening to music, and walking in nature.

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