15 Easy Lunch Box Ideas & Recipes for Kids

Feeding your little ones something they like, which is also healthy, is a tough task indeed. Kids tend to prefer foods that are unhealthy for them, like biscuits, noodles, pizzas, bakery foods and ready-to-make mixes. Another problem you might be facing is that of time: as busy or working parents, it might be hard for you to pack a nutritious meal into their lunch boxes before they head off to school. Luckily for you, this article provides children’s lunch box ideas that are unique, delicious and healthy, including easy lunch box ideas & recipes for kids and focusing on healthy Indian lunch box ideas for school.

Healthy Kids Lunch Box Ideas & Recipes

1. Fruit Smoothie

This is a refreshing drink for anyone, especially if the weather is warm. However, make sure you do not replace water with smoothies or fruit juices. The easiest recipe to make a fruit smoothie is by combining fruits of your choice (ideally bananas, apples, mangoes, custard apples, strawberries, etc.) with milk, nuts, cinnamon and vanilla essence in a blender. Adjust the amounts to get the consistency you desire. It is preferable that you sweeten the drink with jaggery or honey rather than refined white sugar if required, as most of the fruits have natural sweetness in them.

2. Uttapam

Uttapam or savoury bread pancakes have been a staple South Indian dish for hundreds of years. To make uttapam, you will need bread or idli or dosa batter, milk, onions, tomatoes, capsicum, potatoes, red chilli powder, garam masala, and salt. Add all the ingredients together and mix to make a thick glutinous batter. Spread some groundnut or rice bran oil in a heated pan, and pour some of the batter over it. Let the batter take a roughly round shape, then let it fry over a low flame until both sides are honey brown in colour. Uttapams can be served with chutney, sambar or ketchup.

3. Beaten Rice Tikki

One of the most commonly used ingredients in Indian cuisine is beaten or flattened rice; it is used to make several dishes, such as Poha, Pulao, Dahi Chura, etc. This recipe will make use of any leftover poha at home to create a tasty snack. Grind the leftover poha you have in a blender. Combine it with cooked potatoes, garam masala powder, ginger, garlic, red or green chillies, onions, and salt. Shape the mixture into flattened disks or tikkis, then fry them in oil over a medium flame until they are brown.

4. Bread Sushi

One of the easiest snacks to make at home is the vegetarian sushi roll. It is incredibly delicious and will have your kids asking for more. To make it, cut the edges of whole-grain bread slices, then flatten the bread with the help of a rolling pin. Layer the upper side of the flattened slice with peanut butter, jam, mustard sauce or any condiment in powder or sauce form that your child would enjoy. Finally, roll the bread from one end to another, and cut it in half. Voila! Bread Sushi!

5. Vegetable Toast

This dish is  one of the effective ways of delivering vegetables to your child’s diet. Pick a selection of vegetables such as brinjal, tomatoes, capsicum, onions, and carrots. Cut them into small pieces and fry them in oil with salt, ginger and garlic paste. Toss bread slices in a separate pan until golden brown. Garnish the toast with a helping of the veggies in different ways. Add cheese, chaat masala and other flavours to enhance the taste.

6. Bread Rolls

Bread rolls are amazing appetisers your child can take to school. Combine cooked potatoes, green chillies, garam masala, coriander leaves and chopped garlic and fry them together in groundnut oil or any other cooking oil. After a couple of minutes, take them off the stove and add finely chopped ginger and mint leaves. Now, soak bread slices in water, squeeze out excess moisture, place the mixture on top of the slice and roll the bread so it covers the potato filling. Fry the rolls until they are completely brown. This dish can be served with ketchup or chutney.

7. Vegetable Idli

A wonderful variation on the standard idli, the veggie idli is a yummy way of incorporating vegetables into your child’s meals. To prepare the filling, combine the vegetables and spices of your choice in the oil and saute until they are cooked. Add the veggie filling to your pre-prepared idli batter and prepare as usual. You can serve this dish with sambar and chutney.

8. Rava Dhokla

Dhoklas are a beloved treat in West India. Making them from suji or semolina makes them even healthier. To prepare the dhokla, combine rava with curd, turmeric, chilli powder, salt, finely chopped green chillies, coriander leaves and sugar to make a dropping consistency batter. Boil water in a steamer and place the batter in a dhokla stand, allowing it to steam for about ten minutes. You can fry the dhoklas in mustard oil and curry leaves for a unique taste. Adding veggies and nuts will enhance their nutritional quality.

9. Bread Cup Pizza

This is a great recipe to get your kids excited about lunchtime. For this, you need a muffin tray. Cut circles out of bread slices and place them in the tray. Mix a variety of assorted chopped veggies with spices like thyme, salt, mustard and garlic and add them to the bread cups. Top it with some grated cheese and bake for 10 minutes, until the bread is browned. You can serve them with mayonnaise or tomato sauce.

10. Indian Pasta

This dish sounds complicated, doesn’t it? In fact, it is as easy to make as it is delicious. To prepare, cook pasta of your choice in the usual way. To prepare the sauce, combine mustard seeds, black gram, onions and coriander leaves and fry in coconut oil until cooked. Then mix tomato puree with salt, garam masala, ginger, garlic, and fenugreek leaves, boil it for a few minutes and combine it with the previous concoction. Toss the pasta in the sauce, add a few drops of lime or lemon juice and serve the dish!

11. Sprouted Moong Chaat

This protein-packed snack is both nutritious and flavorful. Use pre-sprouted moong beans and combine them with finely chopped onions, tomatoes, and cucumber. A squeeze of lemon juice, a pinch of chaat masala, and a sprinkle of roasted cumin powder are all you need for seasoning. It’s a fresh, no-cook option that holds up well in a lunch box.

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12. Paneer Kathi Roll

A sure-shot kid favourite, this roll is easy to eat and delicious. Sauté paneer cubes with colourful bell peppers and a mild marinade of yoghurt and spices. Warm a whole wheat roti, place the filling in the centre, add a drizzle of mild mint chutney or ketchup, and roll it up tightly. Wrap the base in foil or parchment paper for a mess-free meal.

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13. Rava Appe

These savoury, bite-sized dumplings are fun to eat. Make a batter with semolina (rava), curd, and water. Add finely grated carrots, corn, and peas for colour and nutrition. Cook the batter in a special appe pan with little oil until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside. They are perfect for dipping in ketchup.

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14. Chana Salad Sandwich

A healthy twist on the classic sandwich. Mash boiled chickpeas (kabuli chana) with a fork and mix them with grated carrots, finely chopped celery, mayonnaise (or hung curd), salt, and pepper. Use this filling between two slices of whole wheat bread for a fibre-rich sandwich that will keep your child full and energised.

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15. Cucumber & Boondi Raita

A cooling and hydrating side dish that pairs perfectly with parathas, pulao, or sandwiches. In a bowl, combine fresh, thick curd (yoghurt) with a handful of crispy boondi. Add finely chopped or grated cucumber, a pinch of roasted cumin powder, a dash of black salt, and a sprinkle of fresh chopped coriander. Mix well and pack it in a small, leak-proof container. It’s a simple way to add probiotics and freshness to any lunch.

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Tips for Preparing a Healthy School Lunch Box for Children

Packing a nutritious and appealing lunch box is key to ensuring your child has the energy to learn and play throughout the school day. Here are a few simple tips to make the process easier and healthier.

• Focus on a Balanced Mix: Combine carbs, protein, healthy fats, and fruits/veggies in every meal for sustained energy.
• Make It Bite-Sized and Easy to Eat: Chop foods into small, manageable pieces to make them less messy and more appealing.
• Involve Your Child in the Process: Let kids choose healthy options and help with prep to increase their excitement about eating their lunch.
• Get Creative with Presentation: Use fun shapes, colourful foods, and compartmentalised containers to make the meal visually enticing.

Ways to Pack Kids Lunch Box

Packing a lunch that is both nutritious and exciting can encourage your child to eat well at school. Here are some ways to pack your child’s tiffin:

• Use compartmentalised bento boxes to keep foods separated and visually appealing.
• Pack warm foods like pasta or soup in an insulated thermos to keep them hot.
• Create fun shapes from sandwiches and fruits using cookie cutters.
• Always pack sauces and dips in separate, small, leak-proof containers.
• Use a frozen juice box or yoghurt tube to act as a freezable ice pack.
• Opt for easy-to-eat foods like wraps, pinwheels, or bite-sized pieces.
• Tuck a small, handwritten note inside to create a positive surprise.
• Ensure all containers and lids are easy for your child to open independently.

FAQs

1. What are strategies for introducing new foods to a picky eater via their lunch box without wasting food?

Start by including a very small “taste test” portion of the new food alongside familiar favourites, and avoid pressuring the child to eat it. Some parents find that children are more willing to try new foods at school than at home, as they are away from sibling influences or household distractions.

2. How can I accommodate my child’s lunch preferences if their school has strict nut-free policies?

Sunflower seed butter or soy nut butter can serve as safe and nutritious alternatives to nut butters in sandwiches or dips. Always verify school policies and consider using allergen-free packaged snacks, such as meat sticks or seed-based bars, to add variety without risks.

These were some amazing children’s lunch box ideas. There are several ways to innovate in the kitchen. Play around with the kids’ tiffin box ideas mentioned in this article, change ingredients, quantities or even methods of cooking to create unique variations that will keep your child happy, healthy and excited for their next meal.

Also Read:

Indian Breakfast Recipes for Kids
Simple Recipes That Kids Can Make
Weight Gain Foods for Babies & Kids
Picnic Food Ideas for Kids That Will Make Them Happy

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