Reader Request: Kids Lunch Ideas

I received an email from a reader last week asking to do a post on ideas for kids lunches.  My first thought was, really?  I am not the person to ask. I struggle with this every day!  But that being said, I figure there are a lot of Mom's out there with this dilemma right now.  Summer break, kids home, needing to come up with lunch ideas.  So why not create a post, and let you the readers help me!  I have 1 boy who is 6 years old and very picky.  So our lunches are very basic! I have a few good ideas, and I have done some research to help.  But who better than other Mom's to throw out their great ideas!

A few staples to get you through lunch
   -  Yogurt (squeeze, containers, etc.)
   -  Cheese (shredded, string, cubes, etc.)
   -  Tortillas
   -  Lunch Meat
   -  Fruit (Banana's, strawberries, apples, grapes etc.)
   -  Peanut Butter (assuming no nut allergies)
   -  Bread (sliced bread, hot dog buns, hamburger buns, tortilla's)

Pizza!  What kid doesn't love pizza.  Here are a few quick, easy, healthy ways to do pizza for lunch
   -   English Muffin Crust
   -   Tortilla Crust
   -   Pillsbury Biscuit Crust
 Just top with sauce, cheese and your favorite toppings.  Bake to melt the cheese and crisp the crust!

Lunchables! Make your Own!  My son loves the idea of lunchables everytime he is at the store, but he never eats them.  Why?  They are kind of gross!
   -  Sliced Cheese - Buy the big chunks of it, and cut slices
   -  Meat (You can get the deli to cut it thicker for you)
   -  Crackers
  Put it all on a plate, and let me create what they want with it!


Quesadilla's!  My son just likes cheese in his, but you can add whatever veggies or meat your kids like. I use my sandwich press to get it crispy, but a saute pan will work just as well.

Sandwiches!  This is obvious, but it can be boring!
   -  Use hot dog buns.  My son thinks it is just like Subway when we do that
   -  Nutella is a great sub for peanut butter (and they think they are getting a huge treat).
   -  Use Cream cheese and strawberries
   -  Pita's can be more fun that just bread!
   -  Make it into a wrap using a tortilla
   -  Toast a Waffle - great alternative to regular bread.

Hot Dogs! It is summer afterall!
   -  Wrap Pillsbury Cresent Rolls around a hot dog and bake
   -  If you have time check out this recipe for Pretzel Dogs- AWESOME!!! 
   -  Make your own Corn Dogs at home
   -  Slice up hot dogs and put it in Mac n' Cheese


Hamburgers!
   -  I make extra mini burgers, slightly under cook them, and then freeze them.  They are great to pull from the freezer, and reheat for a quick lunch

One thing to remember - it doesn't have to be a put together formal meal.  Peanut butter and apple slices, a slice of cheese, and yogurt is a great lunch.  You have all the key elements to keep your child full - protein, fiber, fruit, calcium, etc. 

Disney's Family Fun site has some really fun ideas for lunches and snacks

Please, let me know what you feed your kids for lunch!