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Easy Bento Lunch Box Ideas

Adjust these portions for the usual appetite of your child. Nutrition will vary based on the ingredients and portions you serve.
Course lunch
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 1
Calories 309kcal

Ingredients

Egg Muffin Lunch

  • 1-2 Egg Muffins, 1/4-1/2 cup cantaloupe, 1/4-1/2 cup sliced cucumbers, 1/2 cup puffs

Hard-Cooked Egg Lunch

  • 1 hard-cooked egg, 1 mini bagel with 2 tablespoons cream cheese, 1 oz sliced cheese, 1/4-1/2 berries

Falafel Lunch

  • 1-2 precooked falafel patties, 2 tablespoons cucumber sauce, 1/4-1/2 blueberries, 1/4-1/2 snap peas, 1/4-1/2 pretzels

Rotisserie Chicken Salad Lunch

  • 1/4-1/2 cup diced rotisserie chicken, 1/4-1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 2 tablespoons shredded lettuce, 1 slice whole grain bread, cut into cubes, 1/4-1/2 halved grapes, 2 tablespoons ranch

Hummus and Crackers Lunch

  • 2 tablespoons hummus, 1/4-1/2 cup crackers, 1 oz cheese, 1/4-1/2 watermelon, yogurt tube

Bean Dip and Crackers Lunch

  • 2 tablespoons bean dip, 1/4-1/2 cup crackers, 1 oz cheese, 1/4-1/2 watermelon, yogurt tube

Jam Sandwich

  • 1-2 slices whole grain bread, 2 tablespoons all fruit jam, 1/4 cup edamame beans, 1/4-1/2 cup diced strawberries, fruit leather

Turkey and Cheese Sandwich

  • 1-2 sliced whole grain bread, 1 oz cheese, 1 oz low sodium turkey, 1/4-1/2 cup diced pineapple, 1/4-1/2 cup bell pepper strips

Hummus Sandwich Lunch

  • 1-2 whole grain bread, 2 tablespoons hummus, 2 tablespoons shredded carrots, 1/4-1/2 cup diced mango, 1 cookie

Blueberry Muffin Lunch

Spinach Muffin Lunch

Veggie Muffin Lunch

  • 1 Veggie Muffin, 1 cup milk, 1/4 cucumber sticks, 1/4-1/2 cup diced melon

Cheese and Cracker Box

  • 1 oz cheese, 1/4-1/2 cup whole grain crackers, 1/4-1/2 cup berries, 1/4-1/2 cup cucumbers, 1/4-1/2 cup peas

Snack Box Lunch

  • 1/4-1/2 cup pretzels, yogurt tube, 1/4-1/2 cup strawberries, 1/4-1/2 cup snap peas

Taco Salad Box

  • 1/4 cup black or pinto beans, 2 tablespoons shredded lettuce, 2 tablespoons-1/4 cup shredded cheese, 1/4-1/2 cup corn, mini guacamole cup, 1/4-1/2 cup baked tortilla chips or crackers

Instructions

  • Egg Muffin Lunch: warm the egg muffins and pack in a bento with a thermos or pack to eat at room temp or cold. 
  • Hard-Cooked Egg Lunch: pack in a bento with an ice box.
  • Falafel Lunch: pack in a bento with an ice box.
  • Rotisserie Chicken Salad Lunch: pack in a bento with an ice box.
  • Hummus and Crackers Lunch: pack in a bento with an ice box. Freeze the yogurt tube as an extra ice pack and it will thaw by lunch time.
  • Bean Dip and Crackers Lunch: pack in a bento with an ice box. Freeze the yogurt tube as an extra ice pack and it will thaw by lunch time.
  • Jam Sandwich: pack in a bento with an ice box. Cut the sandwich into cubes or strips as needed so easy to chew.
  • Turkey and Cheese Sandwich: pack in a bento with an ice box.Cut the sandwich into cubes or strips as needed so easy to chew.
  • Hummus Sandwich Lunch: pack in a bento with an ice box. Cut the sandwich into cubes or strips as needed so easy to chew.
  • Blueberry Muffin Lunch: pack in a bento with an ice box. Pack a spoon with the applesauce or use an applesauce pouch.
  • Spinach Muffin Lunch: pack in a bento with an ice box. Pack a spoon with the cottage cheese.
  • Veggie Muffin Lunch: Warm the Veggie Muffin and pack in a bento with a thermos or pack to eat at room temperature.
  • Cheese and Cracker Box: pack in a bento with an ice box.
  • Snack Box Lunch: pack in a bento with an ice box.
  • Taco Salad Box: pack in a bento with an ice box.

Notes

  • Adjust the portions based on your child's normal appetite.
  • Pack with milk or water.
  • Try to make sure the foods will be easy for your child to eat.
  • Try to send foods your child usually likes.
  • If your child eats lunch at preschool or daycare, ask for feedback from their teacher about how much they're eating and any issues they're having.
  • Close the bento and pack in an insulated lunch bag with a thin ice pack to keep the food safe.

Nutrition

Calories: 309kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 196mg | Sodium: 380mg | Potassium: 234mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 647IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 2mg