Creative Kids' Lunches: Fun and Inspiring Meal Ideas for Spring!

 

Struggling to keep lunchtime exciting for your little ones? We know how challenging it can be to make meals that are both healthy and appealing, especially for kids with picky tastes. To help you out, we've rounded up five easy, fun and creative lunch ideas that are guaranteed to delight your children. Plus, they’re quick and simple to prepare and easily stored in one of our lunch bags!

1. DIY Mini Sandwich Bar
Turn an ordinary lunch into a make-your-own adventure! 

What you need: 

·        Mini sandwich bread rolls or crackers 

·        An assortment of fillings like turkey slices, cheese, cucumber, or hummus 

·        Small sides like cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, and apple slices 

How to prepare: 

Lay the mini rolls and fillings out in separate containers our (click tite boxes are great for this) to create a DIY sandwich station. Your kids will enjoy building their masterpieces at the park or during a picnic. Bonus points for cutting veggies into fun shapes using cookie cutters! 

Why it works: 

Kids love choices, and this interactive lunch keeps them entertained while they eat. Plus, they’re more likely to try new foods when they make the decisions themselves.

2. Rainbow Veggie Wraps
Bright colours make everything more fun – and lunch is no exception! 

What you need: 

·        Whole-grain tortilla wraps 

·        Cream cheese, avocado spread, or hummus 

·        A variety of colourful vegetables, such as shredded carrots, bell peppers, spinach, and beetroot 

How to prepare: 

Spread the base (cream cheese or hummus) evenly onto the tortilla wrap, then layer the vegetables in colourful rows. Roll the wrap tightly and slice it into pinwheels for bite-sized fun. 

Why it works: 

The vibrant colours make this lunch visually appealing, while the hidden veggies ensure your kids are eating something nutritious without realising it.

3. Silly Face Rice Cakes 
Bring some personality to lunchtime with quirky rice cake faces. 

What you need: 

·        Rice cakes or whole-grain crackers 

·        Nut butter, cream cheese, or a non-nut spread 

·        Toppings like sliced bananas, raisins, berries, cucumber, and cheese 

How to prepare: 

Spread a layer of nut butter or cream cheese onto each rice cake. Use the toppings to create funny faces (e.g., banana slices for eyes, berries for a nose, and a cucumber slice for a quirky mouth). 

Why it works: 

Kids can’t resist the playful appearance, and they’ll love munching on their edible artwork. Plus, you can sneak plenty of wholesome toppings in there!

4. Healthy Snack Kebabs 
Who says kebabs are just for BBQs? These lunchbox-friendly versions will be a hit! 

What you need: 

·        Wooden skewers (child-safe or cut to a small size) 

·        Cubes of cheese, cooked chicken and wholegrain bread 

·        Grape tomatoes, cucumber chunks, and pineapple pieces 

How to prepare: 

Thread the cheese cubes, protein, bread, veggies, and fruits onto the skewers — alternating colours for a rainbow effect. This works well as a "mix and match" lunch where kids can pick their favourites off the kebab sticks. 

Why it works: 

These kebabs combine variety and fun presentation. They're also incredibly versatile, so you can adapt them to your kids' tastes.

5. Fruit & Yoghurt Cones 
Dessert for lunch? Not quite – but it’ll feel like it! 

What you need: 

·        Plain waffle cones or reusable silicone cones 

·        Greek yoghurt or plant-based yoghurt 

·        A mix of fresh fruits like berries, mango chunks, and kiwi slices 

·        A sprinkle of granola (optional) 

How to prepare: 

Layer the yoghurt and fruit into the cones, topping them off with granola for some extra crunch. Wrap the base of the cone in foil or baking paper to avoid messy fingers. 

Why it works: 

This creative twist on dessert makes lunchtime exciting while sneaking in a serving of fruit and protein-packed yoghurt.

Lunch Doesn’t Have to Be Boring
With these five creative lunch ideas, you can turn mealtime into something that kids look forward to—even when they’re on the go. Whether you're hitting the park, heading out for a hike, or just enjoying a sunny day in the garden, these lunches are as practical as they are fun and easily packed away into you're lunch bag  of choice 

The best part? They’re simple enough to prepare even on busy mornings, so you can feel great knowing your kids are enjoying healthy, balanced meals without the hassle. 

Which of these ideas will you try first? Share your favourite lunch creations with us – we love hearing from other parents making magic in the kitchen!