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Time to say goodbye to boring lunches! This list of cold lunch ideas for kids features everything from pinwheels and pasta salads to wraps and sandwiches.
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Cold lunches can be so much more than just the usual cheesy sandwiches and chicken salads.
There are tons of other versions you can explore to keep kids full and happy.
You can easily make many of these meals ahead of time and pack them into lunchboxes without any hassle.
Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders
Sliders are always a fun and kid-friendly choice. They will love this version!
Place each one in a divided lunchbox with a side of veggies and dip.
Get The Recipe: Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders
Sushi Wraps
If your children love sushi, you have to include these wraps in their lunchbox.
You only need a few simple ingredients to make them, including salmon, avocados, and cream cheese.
Get The Recipe: Sushi Wraps
Nigerian Meat Pie
Meat pies are great for lunchboxes, picnics, and camping trips.
Here’s one of the delicious ones you can try. It has a filling made with ground beef, carrots, potatoes, and onions.
Get The Recipe: Nigerian Meat Pie
Vegan Cobb Salad with Ranch Dressing
Prepare this salad for the little ones and watch them fall in love with veggies even more.
Main ingredients include tofu, chickpeas, tomatoes, and lettuce.
Get The Recipe: Vegan Cobb Salad with Ranch Dressing
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Tuna Beetroot Tortilla Wraps
These colorful wraps are made with tuna chunks, tomatoes, arugula, and fresh peppermint.
Make them even more vibrant by packing them with a few edible flowers or extra beet slices.
Get The Recipe: Tuna Beetroot Tortilla Wraps
Crack Chicken Pinwheels
Not all pinwheels are created equal, and this specific version will undoubtedly bring a smile to children’s faces.
It’s irresistibly cheesy, with bacon, chicken, cheddar cheese, and cream cheese.
Get The Recipe: Crack Chicken Pinwheels
Protein Snack Packs
Cold lunches give you the best of both worlds—convenience and flavor.
This snack box is simple yet packed with delicious, energy-boosting proteins. Don’t forget to add veggie sticks and hummus.
Get The Recipe: Protein Snack Packs
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
This pasta salad comes with a mouthwatering ranch dressing that kids will love to have again and again.
Thankfully, it’s easy to make and fits perfectly in their lunchbox!
Get The Recipe: Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Buffalo Chickpeas Wrap
Prepare chickpeas in a fun and flavorful way. This wrap is so simple to make and super customizable.
It combines chickpeas with blue cheese, carrots, tahini, and lettuce.
Get The Recipe: Buffalo Chickpeas Wrap
Shrimp and Lentil Lettuce Wraps
Explore more nutritious wrap recipes and experiment with different protein options.
This recipe will undoubtedly become a family favorite. You can also serve it with cold quinoa or cucumber slices.
Get The Recipe: Shrimp and Lentil Lettuce Wraps
Mortadella, Burrata and Pesto Focaccia Sandwich
If lunchtime has started feeling repetitive, it’s time to switch things up with exciting new ideas.
This sandwich is made with traditional Italian ingredients like pesto and focaccia.
Get The Recipe: Mortadella, Burrata and Pesto Focaccia Sandwich
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Mozzarella Cheese Sandwich With Pesto
Can’t get enough of Italian-inspired sandwiches? Here’s another delicious must-try.
It features a delightful spread made with arugula, split cashews, nutritional yeast, and olive oil.
Get The Recipe: Mozzarella Cheese Sandwich With Pesto
Egg Salad Sandwich
Sometimes, the simplest lunches are the most satisfying, and this sandwich proves it.
This recipe only requires four simple ingredients and is ready in 30 minutes.
Get The Recipe: Egg Salad Sandwich
Bento Box Waffle Taco Lunch
This recipe makes lunchtime feel extra fun by combining buttermilk waffles with mouthwatering ingredients like berries, peanut butter, and yogurt.
Wrap each taco in parchment paper and then place them in the lunchbox.
Get The Recipe: Bento Box Waffle Taco Lunch
Mini BLT Bagel Sandwich
Try this recipe and give the classic BLT a fun makeover.
Ingredients include turkey bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, and Everything Bagel seasoning.
Get The Recipe: Mini BLT Bagel Sandwich
Mango Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado
This ceviche is bright, refreshing, and bursting with flavor. It includes mangoes, tomatoes, and avocados.
If you can’t find mangoes, you can use fresh pineapple and ripe peaches instead. The dish will be just as flavorful!
Get The Recipe: Mango Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado
Mini Cucumber Sandwiches
Cucumbers can add crunch, freshness, and hydration to sandwiches without overpowering the other flavors.
This recipe combines them with cream cheese, mayo, Greek yogurt, and lemon juice. You can make this one ahead of time!
Get The Recipe: Mini Cucumber Sandwiches
Summer Pesto Pasta Salad
You will be surprised that the simplest meals are the ones kids love the most.
This pasta salad is easy yet loaded with fresh flavors. It includes tomatoes, black olives, and pesto sauce.
Get The Recipe: Summer Pesto Pasta Salad
Turkey Cottage Cheese Wraps
We love everything with cottage cheese! These wraps are a great choice, with a good balance of protein and texture.
Arrange them in a lunchbox with colorful veggie sticks.
Get The Recipe: Turkey Cottage Cheese Wraps
High Protein Pasta Salad with Chicken
This hearty pasta features chicken breast tenderloins, cheddar cheese, artichoke hearts, cucumbers, and tomatoes.
The recipe comes with a lemon herb vinaigrette, something you can also use for other salads.
Get The Recipe: High Protein Pasta Salad with Chicken
Chopped Egg and Bacon Sandwiches
Give the usual egg salad an upgrade with this easy recipe.
It’s made with hard-boiled eggs, mayo, Dijon mustard, bacon, and a bit of kosher salt.
Get The Recipe: Chopped Egg and Bacon Sandwiches
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Egyptian Falafel Wrap
This wrap is packed with bold, aromatic flavors! It includes a delicious tahini sauce that makes every bite satisfying.
Keep the sauce in a separate container to prevent sogginess.
Get The Recipe: Egyptian Falafel Wrap
Whole30 Blueberry Pecan Chicken Salad
This unique take on chicken salad brings together chicken breasts, blueberries, Whole30 mayo, pecans, and cabbage.
If you want, you can garnish it with extra blueberries or even other berries for a pop of color.
Get The Recipe: Whole30 Blueberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Turkey Ranch Pinwheels
Packing lunch doesn’t have to be a last-minute struggle.
Don’t worry, these pinwheels are so easy to prepare and pack! Keep them snug in a divided lunchbox to prevent them from unrolling.
Get The Recipe: Turkey Ranch Pinwheels
Pizza Bagel Bites
No time to bake a complex breakfast pizza? Just prepare these cheesy bagel bites with the kids.
They’re great for lunch on the go or even as a weekend brunch appetizer with the family.
Get The Recipe: Pizza Bagel Bites
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Some of the best kid-friendly lunches don’t even need reheating.
If you’re just starting out, you can stick to their usual favorites and experiment with different sauces, dips, dressings, and spreads.
As you go along, try new fruit and veggie combos.
Bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots, apples, and grapes are great ideas since they can add crunch and sweetness without much effort.
25 Easy Lunch Box Ideas Kids (and Adults) Will Love
Running out of lunch box ideas? This list includes quick, tasty, and portable meals, from sandwiches and wraps to rice bowls and salads.
Read it here: 25 Easy Lunch Box Ideas Kids (and Adults) Will Love
25 School Lunch Ideas for Teens That Are Filling & Satisfying
This list of school lunch ideas for teens has something for everyone. Even the pickiest of eaters will be able to find something they like!
Read it here: 25 School Lunch Ideas for Teens That Are Filling & Satisfying
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Looking for more recipes? These meals are simple to make and perfect for school or travel:
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