If you need help coming up with new lunch ideas for toddlers or small children, explore this list of suggestions from an experienced mom.
Getting into a lunchtime rut with your toddler can be so easy. Heck, it’s even easy to run out of ideas for kids at snack time, which is arguably way easier to figure out than a well-rounded main course.
The same kid that is as likely to throw a shoe at you as put it on is now sitting there like a booster seat Gordon Ramsay, eyeing the array of foods you decided to prepare as you wait to see who gets more: them or the dog. (Spoiler alert: it’s gonna be the dog, so plan your meals accordingy.)
Does it still feel like Hell’s Kitchen, even though the number one critic in your home is also somehow the person most likely to lick a rock? Don’t fret.
Toddlers are still exploring the world around them and learning — usually through exposure and their own experiences — about what they do and don’t like. For this reason, when it comes to mealtime, I always suggest offering your child even one bite of something new regularly.
Don’t sweat if they don’t love it or even if they don’t want to try it. Simply seeing it being offered is enough for your child to cement the idea that new experiences await, and having something lovingly presented to them by one of their favorite people is a great way to open up their minds to the possibilities of new flavors.
You never know which day they might pick up that cauliflower floret and give it a nibble!
Here are some refreshing and new lunch menu ideas for your toddler, whether at home, on the go, or at daycare or preschool. We hope you — and they — love them!
Lunch Ideas for Toddlers On the Go
Often, toddlers are out and about with parents or caregivers running errands. In this hectic world, it’s all too easy to give in to the temptation of drive-thrus or constant snacks — and hey, there’s nothing inherently wrong with that!
However, you may need to devise a plan that involves less eating out or last-minute decisions.
With that in mind, here are our best suggestions for toddler lunches on the go:
- Hummus sandwich: Spread hummus on whole grain bread and cut into quarters. Place in a container or sandwich baggie for the car ride! Don’t forget to cut the crust off (eye roll goes here).
- Egg muffin cups: Do you already know you’ve got appointments or errands this week? Plan ahead a day or two by baking ham and cheese egg muffins and tossing them in a bag on your way out the door!
- Waffles: Frozen waffles, whether homemade or store-bought, are easy to pop in the toaster for an on-the-go treat. Spread with nut butter, cream cheese, jam, or honey, and fold in half for a mini waffle sandwich.
- Pre-cooked chicken patties or nuggets: Let’s be serious — even a cold nugget or sliced patty is going to bring your kid some joy. It’s easy, inexpensive, and probably going to keep them happy. (And you can make frozen nuggets in the air fryer, which makes life easier!)
- Avocado: Halved avocados without the core can easily be tossed in a baggie with a plastic spoon for your toddler to eat while out and about!
- Deli ham and cheese roll-ups: Lay ham and cheese flat and roll them up together for a protein-packed lunch they’ll enjoy that doesn’t make a crumbly mess in the car.
For a more complete meal, pair any of these with a fruit or applesauce pouch, a banana, a bag of your kiddo’s favorite veggies, or a frozen yogurt tube.
Vegetarian Toddler Lunch Ideas
Pleasing a potentially picky vegetarian can be tough. Ask any young vegetarian what their typical meal offerings are and they’ll be quick to tell you pasta or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches — both of which can get old fast!
Thankfully, you can mix up their menu options and offer more than just basic pasta or sandwiches. In addition to several vegetarian lunch ideas for toddlers above, here are a couple more:
- Cheese and spinach omelet: A healthy omelet can provide protein, healthy fats, and vegetables in one. Think about hot breakfast items when planning a lunch for a toddler vegetarian!
- Bagel with cream cheese: Yet another typical breakfast food, a toasted bagel with cream cheese is a popular option for kids looking to avoid or replace meat.
- English muffin pizzas: Personal-size pizzas with their choice of toppings? Kids can’t help but say yes. You can mix pureed veggies into the sauce if you’re worried about your child getting enough vitamins and nutrients. It’s a great way to use leftover baby food if you still have any!
- Soft pretzel bites with cheese: Pair with some fruits and veggies for a sandwich alternative that they’ll love dipping!
- Easy microwave nachos: Nachos are a fun way to have something new and different. Add some finely diced peppers, black olives, or onions to introduce your child to new flavors. Offer mild guacamole, salsa, and sour cream for fun dipping options!
- Grilled cheese and creamy tomato soup: This classic lunch is a hit with kids, especially ones who will love to dip their sandwich! I like to cut the sandwich into strips to make it easier, and more fun, to eat.
- Smoothie bowls: Let them think they won the fight to eat ice cream for lunch with this healthy smoothie bowl recipe that can be modified to squeeze in some more fruits or veggies!
- Avocado egg salad tortilla roll-ups: Add some mashed avocado to your egg salad and relax, knowing that your child is happily taking in some more nutrients! This lunch pairs well with a table-side reading of Green Eggs and Ham.
Cream cheese and cucumber sandwich: Cool and fuss-free, cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches are mild enough for even the pickiest eaters to enjoy.
- Falafel: Trying a new recipe together is easier than ever with our simple falafel recipe that you and your little one can make in minutes!
- Croissant hummus, cheese, and spring greens sandwiches: Mix up the usual cheese and mayo sandwich with some added nutrition and crunch! Replacing your mayo with hummus adds protein to keep your toddler on the go all day long. Ask your little one to pick some veggie toppings to add if they’re feeling brave! New to hummus? Find out more about the pros and cons of one of our favorite dips.
- Black bean or veggie burgers: Whether you buy them at the store fresh or frozen, or make your own, black bean burgers and veggie burgers are great ways to introduce alternative meat sources to a kid in a way that can be customizable and tiny-tastebud friendly!
- Tomato and Cannellini Bean Soup: A mild and soothing soup, this is perfect for your toddler on a snowy day or when they’re feeling a bit under the weather. The best part is how easy it is to make in the Instant Pot, so you can fit it into a busy schedule and serve it up midday!
Bento Box Lunch Ideas for Toddlers
Bento boxes are an excellent way of providing a lot of options in reasonable portion sizes for your favorite little eaters! Some of our best lunch ideas for toddlers work perfectly in a bento box.
(You can make one for yourself, too — I do!)
These pack up well, making them perfect for sending to other caregivers or bringing along for a trip.
For a bento box, you’ll want a main dish option with a few sides. I like mixing textures and flavors (crunchy, soft, salty, sweet, etc.) to provide a wider variety, especially for young kids still experimenting with new foods.
Mains:
- Pasta and turkey meatballs
- Tuna salad and crackers for dipping
- Peanut butter and banana sandwich
- Waffles with cream cheese and berries
- Hard-boiled eggs and sausage
- Cheese and refried bean quesadilla
- Egg salad and crackers for dipping
Fruits & Veggies:
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Halved grapes
- Melon balls
- Apple slices with cinnamon sprinkles
- Kiwi spears
- Pear slices
- Clementines, peeled and separated
- Baby carrots (try rainbow for added fun!)
- Sliced cucumbers
- Zucchini spears
- Cherry tomatoes
- Sweet mini peppers
- Roasted chickpeas
Sides:
- Sweet potato fries
- Cubed or shredded cheese
- Pickles
- Olives
- Popcorn, chips, or veggie straws
- Plain yogurt with a swirl of jam or honey
- Cottage cheese
Desserts:
- Nutella dip with green apple slices (my oldest daughter’s favorite!)
- Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips mixed into peanut butter with graham crackers for dipping (Sentimental mom side note: my 21-year-old son’s childhood best friend still reminisces about having this snack at our house, so remember, simple can be memorable!)
- Gummies
- Dry cereal
- Chocolate rice cakes
- Chopped dates or raisins
- Dried mango (opt for brands with no added sugar for a healthier choice)
- Applesauce
- Banana bread
- Yogurt covered pretzels
Struggling with the pressure you feel to fill every box in your bento container? Don’t fret. You know your child best. Send what you think they’ll eat, in the amount they’d like.
If you’re still feeling parental guilt about the empty container space, put in a small note. Even if they can’t read, they will know a heart or happy face is from you! Or throw in a little prize, like a sticker. You’ll make their whole day.
Looking for more recipes for a kid-centered life? Try:
- 11 Easy Dinner Recipes Even the Kids Will Love
- 21 Easy Snacks to Make With Kids to Celebrate the New Year
- 12 Lunchbox Upgrades Your Kids Will Love
- Tips for Baking With Kids
- Fun Snacks for Kids
- End-of-Year School Party Ideas
- Breakfast with the Easter Bunny Ideas You’ll Love
- 15 Best Back-to-School Dinner Recipes
- 11 Easy Dinner Recipes So Simple Even a Teenager Can Make Them
Which one of these lunch ideas for toddlers will you try first? And what are your go-to meals for kids?