As a busy parent, packing lunch can get tedious. But with a few easy habits—a little prep, a handy checklist of what to include in your kids’ midday meal, and a stash of reusable containers—you’ll be a lunch-packing pro in no time.
Streamlining lunch prep is all about a little planning ahead. Here are four of our best tips for making the process feel less stressful—especially when you’re trying to get everyone out the door.
Leftovers are an easy way to go when you have them, but you can also build a healthy school lunch around sandwiches, dips, and of course, protein that’ll keep kids full until dinner. Don’t forget a snack or two!
Making sure your child has enough fuel to sail through their day—whether that day involves nap time or a final exam—is a top priority. Fill those tummies with protein-rich ingredients they’ll devour.
Sandwiches are one of the most popular lunch items around! Snag these combos for inspiration.
Dippers like carrot and celery sticks are easy for kid-sized fingers and go well with dips like hummus or herbed yogurt. Some lunch boxes come with a circular insert just for the occasion, or you can purchase separate round containers to include.
Dippers
Dips
Our virtual shelves are stocked with everything you need to pack a healthy school lunch. Here are some of the snacks at the top of our members’ grocery lists.
The perfect, portable snack, these turkey sticks are infused with sea salt and honey for craveable flavor.
If it takes a little convincing to keep your little one hydrated, try these pouches made with lemon juice and prickly pear cactus. The watermelon flavor will have them sipping in no time, and you’ll be happy that it’s sweetened with blue agave and monk fruit extract—no cane sugar here.
Made with almond flour (and perfectly addicting), these crackers are ideal for rounding out lunch. Each bite is also paleo, vegan, vegetarian, and Certified Gluten-Free.
For little fingers, nothing beats the ease of grabbing sweet raisins—but they’re great for the whole family, too. This snack is made from organic white grapes and no artificial chemicals.
For kids with sensitive stomachs, this plant-based blend is perfect. Bonus: It’s packed with other goodies like blueberries and spinach.
To make these forever kid favorites, we use tree-ripened mangoes, tangy acai, and summer berries picked fresh from the orchard. Fruit is pureed and blended, then gently dried with just heat and fresh air for chewy bites in three fun flavors.
If there’s a kid that doesn’t devour any snack pack of these crackers, we haven’t met them. Every nibble is baked with real organic cheese and organic wheat flour—no preservatives or artificial colors involved.
These soft, sweet snack bars are great for giving your kids a mid-afternoon boost. They’ll love the chocolate chips, and you’ll love that they’re not made with any preservatives, dyes, or artificial flavors.
These school-safe snacks are free of the top 9 allergens and made in a facility that’s certified nut- and gluten-free. Blake’s uses sunflower, flax, and pumpkin seeds for a better twist on a classic treat.
We never said chips are all bad—especially when they’re made with sweet potatoes and kettle-cooked in coconut oil for a better kind of crunch.
Made with upcycled heirloom corn flour and seasoned with cinnamon and sugar, these light and crispy bites add a sweet treat to any lunchbox.
For a soda you and your older kid can both feel good about, Poppi has all the options. They make their low-sugar sips with unfiltered apple cider vinegar and prebiotics from agave inulin.
Take a cue from Japanese bento boxes and give them something to smile about when they unpack their midday meal.
Not all schools have refrigeration options, so keep that in mind when you’re packing healthy school lunches in the morning. For example, if you’re thinking of sending a cup of last night’s soup, be sure you have the right container handy. Also, many younger kids aren’t ready for a full-size sandwich, and appreciate the variety that comes with filling up the smaller compartments within a larger bento box. Check out some of the reusable lunch gear our members swear by.
Chic for kids and adults alike, this BPA-free bento box has a removable tray on top of the bottom section to fit a generous-sized meal. It’s lightweight, durable, and fits easily into their backpack (or your work bag).
“These are absolutely a must buy if you’re looking for a sealing lunch box. I was able to store food cooked in a good quantity of olive oil in the bottom without any leaks.”
—Logan, California
Make their lunch more sustainable by using natural wraps as an alternative to plastic. Made with organic cotton and coated with beeswax, these washable and reusable pieces easily wrap around sandwiches, snacks, fruit, and more.
“I love these – I haven’t bought plastic bags in years and I pack my daughter’s lunch every day using these. They last a long time, are cute, and help us reduce our plastic waste on a daily basis.”
—Shannon, Alabama
Ready to use and reuse again and again, Stasher bags will help you kick your plastic bag habit for good. These dishwasher- and microwave-safe bags are made of platinum silicone, and can store everything from snacks to school supplies.
“The wide standing bottom of these make them so much more useful for our family. We use daily for packing fruit in lunches, storing cheese, and leftovers.”
—Patti, Michigan
Made with 100% organic cotton fibers ethically sourced from trusted partners who value fair business practices, these napkins make an easy, reusable swap for single-use paper napkins. Our set comes with four to pack in lunches throughout the week.
“The fabric quality is on point!! They wash up great. I use them for my everyday napkins. But they are definitely nice enough to be used for nice dinners as well! Very happy with my product!”
—Chelsea, California
Instead of packing a disposable plastic straw for kids’ drinks, send them with a silicone straw that comes in its own cute carrying case. The soft, flexible material won’t hurt sensitive teeth (unlike glass or metal straws), and it’s easy
“I love this product. It’s nice and bendable, so I don’t have to worry about kids hurting their mouths and super easy to clean.”
—Alyssa, Illinois
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