School Lunchbox Ideas

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Almost two months into school and sometimes it’s hard to think of anymore lunchbox inspired recipes. I’ve compiled a list of some of our favourite school lunchbox meals, snacks and treats. With three of the four children at school we use A LOT of lunch containers. I choose stainless steel and glass over plastic. The brands we use (no affiliation) include Lunchbots, Planetbox and widemouthed Thermos containers.

Traditionally lunch is the biggest meal of the day- a time when our digestive heat is at its peak and our hunger is strongest. Whenever I can I like to offer my children something warm to eat with their lunch- even if it’s not the main meal- a cup of tea, hot cocoa or some warming broth is enough some days. I usually freeze in individual portions, defrost the night before and then heat up in a pot on the stove or in the oven on the morning before school (we don’t have a microwave).

Hot School Lunch in a Thermos

  • Rice Bowl with Scrambled egg, seaweed and kimchi
  • Mild Chilli with Bread Rolls
  • Quinoa Pasta with Pesto or Simple Tomato Sauce
  • Chicken Soup with cooked rice or noodles or zoodles
  • Roast Root Vegetables on a bed of Millet with Tahini/Lemon Sauce
  • Beef Stew
  • Quiche Lorraine
  • Miso Soup
  • Lentil Stew
  • Meatballs with pasta sauce
  • Pumpkin Soup with a Scone
  • Left-Over Anythings: pop them in the oven in the morning and dish into the thermos.

Not Much Food in the Fridge Kinda Lunch:

  • Rice crackers, cut up cheese, dried fruit, hummus, olives, boiled egg
  • Frittata with vegetables and/or ham and cheese
  • Porridge
  • Scrambled Egg on Rice
  • Buckwheat Noodles with Broth and Veggies

Make it with the Breakfast:

  • Savoury pancakes or crepes
  • Smoothies in kids thermos
  • Easy high-protein muffins
  • Yoghurt parfaits
  • Vegetarian Sushi

Snacks and Treats to Prepare in Advance:

  • Homemade granola (to be served with yoghurt + berries)
  • Homemade granola bars
  • Homemade dehydrated fruit rolls
  • Left-over oatmeal cookies
  • Sunbutter Cookies
  • Savory Scones
  • Homemade jelly candies
  • Kale chips
  • Be sure to freeze inpidual slices of left-over birthday cakes, muffins, brownies etc.

Prepare the Night Before:

  • Almond butter + jam sandwiches
  • Turkey + cheese sandwiches
  • Quinoa or rice salad with fried fruit, beans or nuts, fresh herbs or spinach and salad dressing
  • Left-over grilled meats on rice, quinoa or millet
  • Chicken or tuna salad
  • Left-over grilled meats refried with stir-fry vegetables and tamari
  • Tabouli
  • Bean Salad

Sides

  • Garden salad with halved grapes and cherry tomatoes, toasted nuts and or cheese and dressing on the side
  • Cut up fruit that won’t brown
  • Veggies and Hummus or Pate
  • Dried Fruit with Cheese
  • Bone Broth
  • Rice Balls


If you’re looking to make school lunch easier and more enjoyable, you should definitely check out our recent blog post on “4 Reasons You Should Start Meal Planning Today.” In this article, we explore the benefits of meal planning, including how it can save you time, money, and stress while ensuring your family enjoys delicious and nutritious meals.

DISCLOSURE: This journal entry contains a link to Amazon.com. Meagan from Whole Family Rhythms is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. amazon.ca and amazon.uk Thank you for your support.

Meagan Wilson is a parent educator and author of the now-retired seasonal series of Whole Family Rhythms. After finishing a BA, she went on to complete her Foundations in Steiner Education and Anthroposophy at Sydney Steiner College, as well as her Waldorf Early Childhood Certification at the Rudolf Steiner Centre in Toronto. She has received her certification as a Simplicity Parenting Family Life Coach and has supported hundreds of parents to create a strong family rhythm unique to their own values and culture. She has four young children. Meagan provides resources, support and information to parents who are looking for a bridge to cross between their unique family life and their children’s (often but not always) Waldorf schools.

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