School Lunch Ideas Second Grade: Fun and Easy Meals Your Kids Will Love!

School Lunch Ideas Second Grade: Fun and Easy Meals Your Kids Will Love!

By Sara Taylor

School Lunch Ideas Second Grade: Fun and Easy Meals Your Kids Will Love!

By Sara Taylor
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Updated
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Recipes

Winning a mini lottery would mean coming home with an empty lunchbox. Lottery winning feelings are the same feeling parents get when kids come home with empty lunch boxes. Use these ideas and combine them any way you like. They are favorites for children in 2nd grade and won’t be traded. Most ideas are made of items that you likely have at home. Mix and match to find the best combinations for your children.

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1) Turkey and Cheese Wrap

turkey and cheese wrap pinwheels arranged in a bento lunchbox in a wide horizontal shot, with grapes and crackers in the other compartments, set on a kitchen counter, bright natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

The lunch box classic. Not one complaint.

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turkey and cheese wrap pinwheels arranged in a bento lunchbox in a wide horizontal shot, with grapes and crackers in the other compartments, set on a kitchen counter, bright natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Turkey and Cheese Wrap

Deli turkey, cheese, and a touch of mayo wrapped in a soft tortilla and cut into fun little pinwheels.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 wrap
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 flour tortilla
  • 3 slices deli turkey
  • 1 slice cheese
  • 1 tsp mayonnaise
  • 2 leaves lettuce

Method
 

  1. Lay the tortilla flat and spread with a thin layer of mayo.
  2. Layer the turkey, cheese, and lettuce across the tortilla.
  3. Roll it up tightly from one edge to the other.
  4. Slice into rounds or in half.
  5. Pack with a small ice pack to keep it cool.

Notes

Skip the lettuce if your kid picks it out anyway.

2) Mini chicken quesadillas

golden mini quesadilla wedges in a lunchbox compartment in a wide horizontal shot, with a small cup of salsa and apple slices nearby, set on a bright counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

These little cheesey triangles taste like something special while being super easy to carry.

golden mini quesadilla wedges in a lunchbox compartment in a wide horizontal shot, with a small cup of salsa and apple slices nearby, set on a bright counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Mini chicken quesadillas

Little tortillas with shredded chicken & melted cheese, pan-fried to a golden brown & cut into kid-sized wedges.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 small tortillas
  • 1 cup cooked chicken shredded
  • 1 cup shredded cheese
  • 1 tbsp butter

Method
 

  1. Heat a skillet over medium and melt a little butter.
  2. Place a tortilla down and sprinkle with cheese and chicken.
  3. Top with a second tortilla and cook until golden underneath.
  4. Flip and cook the other side until the cheese melts.
  5. Cool slightly, then cut into small wedges.

Notes

Pack a tiny container of salsa or ranch for dipping.

3) Hummus with Veggie Sticks

a small cup of creamy hummus surrounded by colorful carrot, cucumber, and pepper sticks in a wide horizontal lunchbox, set on a bright kitchen table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Dipping is part of the fun and these go fast!

a small cup of creamy hummus surrounded by colorful carrot, cucumber, and pepper sticks in a wide horizontal lunchbox, set on a bright kitchen table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Hummus with Veggie Sticks

Hummus is great, and crunchy carrot, cucumber, and pepper sticks make a colorful dip-and-crunch combo!
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Prep Time 8 minutes
Total Time 8 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 0.25 cup hummus
  • 1 carrot cut into sticks
  • 0.5 cucumber cut into sticks
  • 0.5 bell pepper cut into strips

Method
 

  1. Spoon the hummus into a small lidded container.
  2. Wash and cut the carrot, cucumber, and pepper into sticks.
  3. Stand the veggie sticks upright in a lunchbox compartment.
  4. Tuck the hummus cup right beside them.
  5. Add an ice pack to keep everything crisp and cool.

Notes

Cut the veggies the night before to save morning time.

4) Homemade Mini Pizzas

four mini English muffin pizzas with melted cheese in a wide horizontal lunchbox, with fruit in the next compartment, set on a counter, bright natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

If you pack pizza in the lunchbox, you’re definitely the most popular parent at school pick up!

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four mini English muffin pizzas with melted cheese in a wide horizontal lunchbox, with fruit in the next compartment, set on a counter, bright natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Homemade Mini Pizzas

Personal pizzas made from english muffin halves topped with sauce and cheese then baked.
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Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 english muffins halved
  • 0.5 cup pizza sauce
  • 1 cup mozzarella shredded
  • 8 slices mini pepperoni

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 400F and split the muffins.
  2. Spread each half with pizza sauce.
  3. Sprinkle with mozzarella and add pepperoni if using.
  4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  5. Cool completely before packing so they don't get soggy.

Notes

These taste great cold, so no need to reheat at school.

5) Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich

a peanut butter and banana sandwich cut into triangles in a wide horizontal lunchbox, with berries on the side, set on a bright kitchen table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Sweet, filling, and a hit with the kids for a repeat request!

a peanut butter and banana sandwich cut into triangles in a wide horizontal lunchbox, with berries on the side, set on a bright kitchen table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich

Spreadable peanut butter and freshly cut bananas on soft bread for a sweet and heavy sandwich.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 sandwich
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 slices bread
  • 2 tbsp peanut butter
  • 1 banana sliced
  • 1 tsp honey

Method
 

  1. Spread peanut butter on both slices of bread.
  2. Drizzle a little honey over one side.
  3. Arrange the banana slices in a single layer.
  4. Press the slices together gently.
  5. Cut in half or into fun shapes with a cookie cutter.

Notes

A thin layer of peanut butter on both sides keeps the banana from sliding out.

6) Cheese and Cracker Assortment

a colorful snack board with cheese cubes, crackers, grapes, and pretzels in a wide horizontal lunchbox, set on a bright counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

A make-your-own snack plate turns lunch into a celebration!

a colorful snack board with cheese cubes, crackers, grapes, and pretzels in a wide horizontal lunchbox, set on a bright counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Cheese and Cracker Assortment

A variety of cheese cubes and crackers presented in a fun, snackable little board.
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Prep Time 6 minutes
Total Time 6 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 oz cheddar cheese cubed
  • 12 crackers
  • 6 grapes
  • 4 mini pretzels

Method
 

  1. Cut the cheese into small, easy-to-grab cubes.
  2. Arrange the crackers in one section of the lunchbox.
  3. Add the cheese cubes in another compartment.
  4. Fill in the gaps with grapes and pretzels.
  5. Close it up and add an ice pack for the cheese.

Notes

Let your kid stack their own cheese and crackers at lunch.

7) Yogurt with Granola and Berries

a cup of creamy yogurt topped with granola and fresh berries in a wide horizontal lunchbox, with a small spoon beside it, set on a bright table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

A tiny bit sweet with a crunchy texture. Full of the good stuff!

a cup of creamy yogurt topped with granola and fresh berries in a wide horizontal lunchbox, with a small spoon beside it, set on a bright table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Yogurt with Granola and Berries

Yogurt, berries, and granola, make for the perfect lunchbox parfait!
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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

Method
 

  1. Spoon the yogurt into a small lidded container.
  2. Pack the granola separately so it stays crunchy.
  3. Add the berries in their own little compartment.
  4. Tuck a spoon into the lunchbox.
  5. Keep everything cold with an ice pack.

Notes

Packing the granola apart keeps it from going soggy by lunchtime.

8) Hard-Boiled Eggs with Apple Slices

peeled hard-boiled eggs and crisp apple slices in a wide horizontal lunchbox, with a small container of dip, set on a bright kitchen counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

It is protein packed and easy to prepare.

peeled hard-boiled eggs and crisp apple slices in a wide horizontal lunchbox, with a small container of dip, set on a bright kitchen counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Hard-Boiled Eggs with Apple Slices

Keep it simple with peeled hard-boiled eggs and some crunchy apple slices for a relaxed, but satiating lunch.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 eggs
  • 1 apple sliced
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 pinch salt

Method
 

  1. Place the eggs in a pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil.
  2. Boil 10 to 12 minutes, then cool in ice water and peel.
  3. Slice the apple and toss with a little lemon juice so it stays fresh.
  4. Pack the eggs whole or halved with a tiny pinch of salt.
  5. Add the apple slices alongside and keep cold.

Notes

Boil the eggs the night before for an even faster morning.

9) Pasta salad with Veggies

a colorful pasta salad with tomatoes, cucumber, and cheese in a wide horizontal lunch container, set on a bright kitchen table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Pasta that is cold but still manages to taste even better by lunch!

a colorful pasta salad with tomatoes, cucumber, and cheese in a wide horizontal lunch container, set on a bright kitchen table, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Pasta salad with Veggies

Pasta pieces mixed with veggies and a light dressing. Easy to eat with a fork!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups rotini pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cucumber diced
  • 0.5 cup shredded cheese
  • 0.25 cup italian dressing

Method
 

  1. Cook the pasta until tender, then drain and cool under cold water.
  2. Chop the cucumber and halve the cherry tomatoes.
  3. Toss the pasta with the veggies and cheese.
  4. Pour the dressing over and stir to coat.
  5. Chill before packing into lunch containers.

Notes

Make a big batch on Sunday for grab-and-go lunches all week.

10) Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwiches

cucumber and cream cheese sandwich squares in a wide horizontal lunchbox, with cherry tomatoes on the side, set on a bright counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

It is awesome, crunchy, and at the same time, fancy for a lunchbox of a second grader.

cucumber and cream cheese sandwich squares in a wide horizontal lunchbox, with cherry tomatoes on the side, set on a bright counter, natural light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwiches

Cucumber slices on softened bread with cream cheese, cut into neat squares.
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Prep Time 8 minutes
Total Time 8 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 slices bread
  • 2 tbsp cream cheese
  • 0.5 cucumber thinly sliced
  • 1 pinch salt

Method
 

  1. Spread cream cheese evenly over both slices of bread.
  2. Layer the thin cucumber slices across one slice.
  3. Sprinkle with a tiny pinch of salt.
  4. Top with the second slice and press gently.
  5. Trim the crusts and cut into small squares.

Notes

Pat the cucumber dry first so the bread stays soft, not soggy.
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