School Lunch Ideas Third Grade: Fun and Tasty Meals Your Kids Will Love!

School Lunch Ideas Third Grade: Fun and Tasty Meals Your Kids Will Love!

By Sara Taylor

School Lunch Ideas Third Grade: Fun and Tasty Meals Your Kids Will Love!

By Sara Taylor
•
Updated
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Recipes

It can be a puzzle to pack a lunch for a 3rd grader. You need to make sure it is easy to pack, it will survive a few hours in a backpack, and most importantly, it will be eaten and not traded. Here are 10 lunch ideas that third graders will love, that will make your life easier. You can put together different combinations and your child won't get bored with the same old lunches.

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1) Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups

turkey and cheese pinwheel roll-ups in a wide horizontal shot, arranged cut-side up in a bento lunchbox beside grapes and crackers on a kitchen counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

No bread means no crust negotiation, just a simple rolly thing that your kid can eat one handed!

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turkey and cheese pinwheel roll-ups in a wide horizontal shot, arranged cut-side up in a bento lunchbox beside grapes and crackers on a kitchen counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups

Turkey and cheese pinwheels are made with soft tortillas & a little cream cheese and then cut into perfect little bites.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 flour tortilla 8-inch
  • 2 tbsp cream cheese softened
  • 2 slices deli turkey
  • 1 slice cheddar cheese
  • 0.25 cup shredded lettuce optional

Method
 

  1. Spread the cream cheese evenly over the tortilla all the way to the edges.
  2. Layer the turkey, cheese, and lettuce over the cream cheese.
  3. Roll the tortilla up tightly into a log.
  4. Slice into 1-inch pinwheels and pack in the lunchbox.
  5. Add a frozen ice pack to keep everything cool until lunchtime.

Notes

The cream cheese acts like glue to keep the roll-ups from unraveling in the backpack.

2) Veggie-Packed Mini Quiches

golden mini quiches in a wide horizontal shot, two tucked into a lunchbox compartment next to cherry tomatoes and apple slices, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Simply prep on Sunday and breakfast-for-lunch is sorted out for the entire week!

golden mini quiches in a wide horizontal shot, two tucked into a lunchbox compartment next to cherry tomatoes and apple slices, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Veggie-Packed Mini Quiches

Fluffy egg cups full of cheese and vegetables that are just as delicious eaten cold from the lunch box.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 12 mini quiches
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 6 eggs
  • 0.5 cup milk
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar
  • 0.5 cup chopped spinach
  • 0.5 cup diced bell pepper
  • 0.5 tsp salt

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 375F and grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
  2. Whisk the eggs, milk, and salt together until smooth.
  3. Stir in the cheese, spinach, and bell pepper.
  4. Divide the mixture evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full.
  5. Bake 18 to 20 minutes until set and lightly golden, then cool and store. Pack 2 to 3 per lunch.

Notes

These freeze beautifully, so make a double batch and pull one out the night before.

3) Apple Slices with Peanut Butter

fresh apple wedges fanned around a small dish of creamy peanut butter in a wide horizontal shot, set in a lunchbox on a bright counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

There's a reason this recipe is a classic, and there is an easy trick to prevent the apples from turning brown.

fresh apple wedges fanned around a small dish of creamy peanut butter in a wide horizontal shot, set in a lunchbox on a bright counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Apple Slices with Peanut Butter

Fresh apple slices with creamy peanut butter for dipping make a delicious snack.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 apple cored and sliced
  • 2 tbsp peanut butter
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp mini chocolate chips optional

Method
 

  1. Slice the apple into wedges, leaving the skin on.
  2. Toss the slices gently in lemon juice to keep them from browning.
  3. Scoop the peanut butter into a small lidded container for dipping.
  4. Sprinkle a few mini chocolate chips into the peanut butter if your kid wants a treat.
  5. Pack the apples and dip side by side and seal.

Notes

Check the school's nut policy first; sunflower seed butter is a great swap if peanuts aren't allowed.

4) Mini Pita Bread Pizzas

mini pita pizzas with melted bubbly cheese in a wide horizontal shot, arranged in a lunchbox compartment next to baby carrots, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Custom pizzas are a fun option and take just minutes to prepare.

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mini pita pizzas with melted bubbly cheese in a wide horizontal shot, arranged in a lunchbox compartment next to baby carrots, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Mini Pita Bread Pizzas

Mini pitas with sauce and melted cheese are perfect for creating that pizza night feeling at the lunch table.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 mini pita breads
  • 0.5 cup pizza sauce
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 12 mini pepperoni slices optional
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
  2. Spread a spoonful of pizza sauce over each pita.
  3. Sprinkle with mozzarella and add pepperoni and a pinch of Italian seasoning.
  4. Bake 6 to 8 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  5. Cool completely, then pack; they're great at room temperature by lunchtime.

Notes

Let the kids pick their own toppings the night before so they're excited to eat it.

5) Yogurt with Granola and Berries

a yogurt parfait topped with bright berries in a wide horizontal shot, with a small dish of granola beside it in an open lunchbox, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

As long as the granola stays separated, it remains crunchy all the way to lunch.

a yogurt parfait topped with bright berries in a wide horizontal shot, with a small dish of granola beside it in an open lunchbox, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Yogurt with Granola and Berries

Yogurt with layers of berries and granola is a parfait style treat.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 0.75 cup vanilla yogurt
  • 0.25 cup granola
  • 0.5 cup mixed berries
  • 1 tsp honey optional

Method
 

  1. Spoon the yogurt into a small lidded container.
  2. Top with the berries and a drizzle of honey if you'd like.
  3. Pack the granola in a separate small container or snack bag.
  4. Tuck a small spoon into the lunchbox.
  5. Have your child stir the granola in right before eating so it stays crunchy.

Notes

A frozen yogurt tube tucked alongside doubles as an ice pack and a second treat.

6) Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

green-tinted tortilla pinwheels with ham and cheese in a wide horizontal shot, lined up cut-side up in a bento box beside strawberries, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

The bigger kids love these with a little zing of mustard, which makes them a bit different from the turkey roll-ups.

green-tinted tortilla pinwheels with ham and cheese in a wide horizontal shot, lined up cut-side up in a bento box beside strawberries, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Tortilla pinwheels sliced into rounds and filled with ham, cheese, and a little honey mustard.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 spinach tortilla 8-inch
  • 1 tbsp honey mustard
  • 2 slices deli ham
  • 1 slice Swiss cheese

Method
 

  1. Spread the honey mustard over the tortilla to the edges.
  2. Layer the ham and Swiss cheese on top.
  3. Roll the tortilla up tightly into a log.
  4. Slice into 1-inch pinwheels.
  5. Pack snugly so they keep their spiral shape until lunch.

Notes

A spinach or tomato tortilla adds a fun pop of color to the lunchbox.

7) Carrot Sticks with Hummus

bright orange carrot sticks arranged around a small dish of creamy hummus in a wide horizontal shot, set inside a lunchbox on a counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

They're easy to dip, nice and crunchy, and are one of the simplest vegetables to slip in without a struggle.

bright orange carrot sticks arranged around a small dish of creamy hummus in a wide horizontal shot, set inside a lunchbox on a counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Carrot Sticks with Hummus

Enjoy sweet carrot sticks with rich hummus for a fun, veggie snack that you can dunk.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup carrot sticks
  • 3 tbsp hummus
  • 1 pinch paprika optional

Method
 

  1. Peel and cut the carrots into easy-to-grab sticks.
  2. Spoon the hummus into a small dipping container.
  3. Sprinkle a little paprika over the hummus for color and flavor.
  4. Pack the carrots and hummus side by side.
  5. Keep cold with an ice pack so the hummus stays fresh.

Notes

Pre-cut baby carrots are a perfectly fine shortcut on busy mornings.

8) Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps

a chicken Caesar wrap sliced in half in a wide horizontal shot, showing the layered filling, tucked into a lunchbox beside cucumber slices, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

An adult's favorite that has been scaled down for kids. It's also great for on-the-go!

a chicken Caesar wrap sliced in half in a wide horizontal shot, showing the layered filling, tucked into a lunchbox beside cucumber slices, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps

Carefully wrapped for your eating convenience, these contain tender chicken and crisp romaine tossed in Caesar dressing.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 flour tortilla 8-inch
  • 0.5 cup cooked chicken diced
  • 0.5 cup chopped romaine
  • 2 tbsp Caesar dressing
  • 1 tbsp grated parmesan

Method
 

  1. Toss the chicken, romaine, parmesan, and Caesar dressing together in a small bowl.
  2. Spoon the mixture down the center of the tortilla.
  3. Fold in the sides and roll up tightly into a wrap.
  4. Slice in half so it's easy for little hands to manage.
  5. Wrap each half in parchment and pack with an ice pack.

Notes

Use a little less dressing than you think so the wrap doesn't get soggy by lunch.

9) Cheese and Crackers Bento Box

a colorful bento box in a wide horizontal shot, with neat compartments of cheese cubes, crackers, grapes, and rolled turkey on a bright counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Snack plate allows children to create their own mini meals.

a colorful bento box in a wide horizontal shot, with neat compartments of cheese cubes, crackers, grapes, and rolled turkey on a bright counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Cheese and Crackers Bento Box

A fun no-cook lunch option is a grazing-style lunch box with cheese cubes, crackers, and fruit.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 oz cheddar cheese cubed
  • 8 whole grain crackers
  • 0.5 cup grapes
  • 0.25 cup pretzel sticks
  • 2 slices deli turkey rolled

Method
 

  1. Cut the cheese into small, kid-friendly cubes.
  2. Roll the turkey slices into little logs for easy grabbing.
  3. Arrange the cheese, crackers, turkey, grapes, and pretzels in separate compartments of a bento box.
  4. Fill in any gaps so things don't shift around in the backpack.
  5. Add an ice pack and seal the lid.

Notes

Keeping each food in its own compartment makes the box feel special and keeps crackers crisp.

10) Fruit Salad Cups

a colorful fruit salad cup full of strawberries, grapes, banana, and blueberries in a wide horizontal shot, set in an open lunchbox with a small spoon, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

A tiny rainbow cup that looks like dessert, but is actually just fruit!

a colorful fruit salad cup full of strawberries, grapes, banana, and blueberries in a wide horizontal shot, set in an open lunchbox with a small spoon, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Fruit Salad Cups

A rainbow of diced fruit and a hint of citrus makes a great refreshing sweet treat for your lunchbox!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup strawberries quartered
  • 1 cup green grapes halved
  • 1 banana sliced
  • 0.5 cup blueberries
  • 1 tsp lemon juice

Method
 

  1. Wash and chop all the fruit into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Toss everything together with the lemon juice to keep the banana from browning.
  3. Spoon the fruit salad into small lidded cups.
  4. Pack a little spoon alongside.
  5. Keep chilled with an ice pack until lunchtime.

Notes

Skip the banana if you're prepping more than a day ahead; berries and grapes hold up best.
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