You will love this roundup of 10 lunch ideas for third-grade kids. I like to make sure I usually add things like fruit and nuts. Include a sandwich or a wrap and sometimes even use cold pasta. Nothing too extravagant and nothing too hard to eat. I always include plenty of water and no Coke or sugary drinks.
Don't lose this article. Enter your email below, and I'll send it to you right now. Plus a little encouragement and inspiration from me, straight to your inbox.
These 10 recipes will stop your kids from having the same lunch every day and even stop them from trading lunches. They are that good. They will want them for themselves.
Dinner is handled every Sunday
Get 5 easy family dinners, printable recipe cards, and one grocery list. Simple meals, normal ingredients, no more starting from zero at 5pm.
1) Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups
Your kids will love these turkey and cheese roll-ups. Just make sure you include a discussion about the crusts. My kids always want their crusts cut off. These can be eaten with one hand, which is perfect for kids who are running around the playground.
My kids generally love roll-ups, and these turkey and cheese roll-ups are a favorite. Sometimes I even like to use roast beef just to mix things up a little bit.
Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups
Ingredients
Method
- Spread the cream cheese evenly over the tortilla all the way to the edges.
- Layer the turkey, cheese, and lettuce over the cream cheese.
- Roll the tortilla up tightly into a log.
- Slice into 1-inch pinwheels and pack in the lunchbox.
- Add a frozen ice pack to keep everything cool until lunchtime.
Notes
2) Veggie-Packed Mini Quiches
These mini quiches are packed with veggies and are prepped in advance on a Sunday, ensuring you have lunch for the whole week ahead. Think of it as breakfast food, but used for lunch.
Sundays at my house are always meal prep day. It's so good to get one large amount of batch cooking done so I don't have to worry about it the rest of the week.
I enjoy making pastry and making my own tart shells. I would use a food processor so that it's super quick, but I always keep some shop-bought cases in the freezer for when I don't have time.
Veggie-Packed Mini Quiches
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375F and grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
- Whisk the eggs, milk, and salt together until smooth.
- Stir in the cheese, spinach, and bell pepper.
- Divide the mixture evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full.
- Bake 18 to 20 minutes until set and lightly golden, then cool and store. Pack 2 to 3 per lunch.
Notes
3) Apple Slices with Peanut Butter
Your kids will love these apple slices with peanut butter. They are a classic and for good reason. The sweetness of the fruit against the saltiness of the peanut butter and the creaminess is just a combination that works.
I like to toss the apple slices in some fresh lemon juice. This will stop them from browning. You don't have to stick to apples either. You could use bananas and even clementines. Peanut butter is such a versatile ingredient. I always have it in the pantry and cook with it regularly.
I always tend to go back to PB&J sandwiches if I am unsure what my child will eat, as they always get finished and are a family favorite.
Apple Slices with Peanut Butter
Ingredients
Method
- Slice the apple into wedges, leaving the skin on.
- Toss the slices gently in lemon juice to keep them from browning.
- Scoop the peanut butter into a small lidded container for dipping.
- Sprinkle a few mini chocolate chips into the peanut butter if your kid wants a treat.
- Pack the apples and dip side by side and seal.
Notes
4) Mini Pita Bread Pizzas
My favorite part about these is that they're totally customizable and come in a build-your-own pizza format. They are quick to make.
I enjoy pitta bread, but I don't tend to keep it as a staple. I tend to always have sourdough, which is what I would probably use.
Building your own pizza is fun for your kids, and they will find it interesting and fun to see what they have for lunch. My kids are huge pepperoni lovers, but a good mushroom topping goes down a treat as well.
Don't lose this article. Enter your email below, and I'll send it to you right now. Plus a little encouragement and inspiration from me, straight to your inbox.
Mini Pita Bread Pizzas
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Spread a spoonful of pizza sauce over each pita.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella and add pepperoni and a pinch of Italian seasoning.
- Bake 6 to 8 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cool completely, then pack; they're great at room temperature by lunchtime.
Notes
5) Yogurt with Granola and Berries
It's safe to say that yogurt with granola and berries is a favorite in my house. I like to keep the granola in a separate container. This helps to keep it crunchy. I also like to make my own granola, as it can get expensive and it's so easy and cheaper to make at home.
Sometimes I even add a paper towel into the container with the granola to help absorb any excess moisture. There's nothing worse than soggy, soft granola.
My kids love yogurt and berries, and they enjoy the crunch of the granola, but my top tip is definitely to keep the granola separate. If you try mixing it with the yogurt in one container, it will go soggy by the time it is lunchtime, and your kids will not be happy. Trust me.
Yogurt with Granola and Berries
Ingredients
Method
- Spoon the yogurt into a small lidded container.
- Top with the berries and a drizzle of honey if you'd like.
- Pack the granola in a separate small container or snack bag.
- Tuck a small spoon into the lunchbox.
- Have your child stir the granola in right before eating so it stays crunchy.
Notes
6) Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
You may think these ham and cheese pinwheels are just too similar to turkey roll-ups, but these have the addition of mustard, which gives some extra zing and is usually a hit with the older kids. I like to use plenty of mustard when cooking or making lunches for my kids, as it gives so much flavor. My kids used to hate the flavor of mustard, but as they've started to get older, they are now starting to ask for it.
I like to use whole-grain bread to get some nutrition with the extra seeds. Ham and cheese is such an easy filling, and I always tend to have the ingredients for them in the fridge. Plus I know my kids will enjoy them so it's a great reliable recipe.
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Ingredients
Method
- Spread the honey mustard over the tortilla to the edges.
- Layer the ham and Swiss cheese on top.
- Roll the tortilla up tightly into a log.
- Slice into 1-inch pinwheels.
- Pack snugly so they keep their spiral shape until lunch.
Notes
7) Carrot Sticks with Hummus
Carrot sticks used to always come back from school, still in the lunch boxes of my kids. They wouldn't touch them until I started giving them hummus to go with it. It's now one of those vegetables that my kids expect and actually enjoy in their lunchbox.
I love making hummus as I am a big chickpea fan, and it's a great way to take a vegetable and just dress it up. The hummus trick may work with carrot sticks, but I'm still working on getting my kids to eat broccoli. Even with hummus, they still won't touch it.
Carrot Sticks with Hummus
Ingredients
Method
- Peel and cut the carrots into easy-to-grab sticks.
- Spoon the hummus into a small dipping container.
- Sprinkle a little paprika over the hummus for color and flavor.
- Pack the carrots and hummus side by side.
- Keep cold with an ice pack so the hummus stays fresh.
Notes
8) Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps
Chicken Caesar wraps are a favorite of mine and of my kids. It's a great on-the-go lunch option, and when making it for my kids, I just scale it down.
Caesar salad is a favorite in my house, and I make it regularly with rotisserie chicken, so it's quick and easy. I tend to keep it classic and don't play around with it too much. Some people may not think of a salad as dinner, but when you put it all in a wrap, it can be really satisfying and filling.
My kids are fans of cold pastas for their lunch. I wasn't sure if they would like them but it was a gamble that worked.
Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps
Ingredients
Method
- Toss the chicken, romaine, parmesan, and Caesar dressing together in a small bowl.
- Spoon the mixture down the center of the tortilla.
- Fold in the sides and roll up tightly into a wrap.
- Slice in half so it's easy for little hands to manage.
- Wrap each half in parchment and pack with an ice pack.
Notes
9) Cheese and Crackers Bento Box
These cheese and crackers bento boxes are like a snack plate format, which gives your kids a chance to assemble their own lunch and build their own mini meal. They'll love how important this makes them feel. Just be sure to use a cracker that is strong and sturdy.
I like to use a creamy cheese and something sharp, like a cheddar, in the same box so the kids have variation and the flavors complement each other. I have a variety of container sizes with lids to prep for lunches like these.
Cheese and Crackers Bento Box
Ingredients
Method
- Cut the cheese into small, kid-friendly cubes.
- Roll the turkey slices into little logs for easy grabbing.
- Arrange the cheese, crackers, turkey, grapes, and pretzels in separate compartments of a bento box.
- Fill in any gaps so things don't shift around in the backpack.
- Add an ice pack and seal the lid.
Notes
10) Fruit Salad Cups
These fruit salad cups look delicious, and that's the whole point. They look like a tiny rainbow cup and even look almost like a dessert, but are actually just fruit. Your kids will think this is a treat, but it's actually super healthy.
They are individually portioned and practical, which is half the battle. My kids love to eat these when they contain bananas, apples, and berries.
Fruit Salad Cups
Ingredients
Method
- Wash and chop all the fruit into bite-sized pieces.
- Toss everything together with the lemon juice to keep the banana from browning.
- Spoon the fruit salad into small lidded cups.
- Pack a little spoon alongside.
- Keep chilled with an ice pack until lunchtime.
