In the last few weeks, I’ve seen an marked increase in people coming to this blog after having searched for terms like “school lunch ideas” and “preschool lunch packing.” School is starting up again around the country and parents need ideas for what to send to preschool, kindergarten and elementary school in their kids’ lunch boxes.

Since Wyatt’s school is on vacation for the next two weeks and I’m not posting about what I’m sending in his lunches, I thought I’d take the time to put together a round-up of the things I send in his bentos. I have to tell you — after making out this list, I was really surprised by all the different things he eats! I’ve also added a few extra things to the list that people have suggested to me or that other kids might eat as well.

Almost everything on here can be eaten cold or at room temperature. I always send his lunch with an ice pack in the box, but other parents swear by frozen juice boxes. I don’t like to send juice boxes myself because I like to dilute Wyatt’s juice with a little water (or just send water), so I send a little Rubbermaid container with a beverage in it.

Carbs/Tummy-fillers

• whole grain crackers
• pretzel sticks
• mini-muffins — Wyatt favors blueberry muffins, but I also send corn muffins or any other kind of muffin really. I try to make them myself so I can make them healthier with whole wheat flour, less sugar, etc.
• goldfish crackers, cheddar bunnies or other snack crackers
• pretzel thins
• mini-rice cakes/crackers
• rice balls
• pasta — I toss with a little butter, garlic salt and parmesan. You can also send warmed pasta in a thermous
• granola bars — I like to make my own but I send store-bought ones too
• banana bread, zucchini bread, etc.
• cereal bars — we get ours at Trader Joe’s but Nutrigrain bars are more widely available
• dried cereal — Cheerios, Puffins, etc.
• mini-bagels — Wyatt likes his plain, but other kids would probably eat cream cheese on theirs
• hot dog buns

Fruits

• apples slices or chunks (dip in pineapple juice to prevent browning)
• berries — strawberries, blueberries, raspberries
• cherries
• grapes
• bananas — I usually only send a half banana
• melon chunks — watermelon or cantaloupe
• raisins, dried cranberries, etc.
• canned peaches (or fresh, of course)
• applesauce
• pineapple chunks
• orange wedges or canned mandarin oranges

Veggies

• frozen peas — these will thaw by lunch time
• frozen corn — these will thaw too
• carrot sticks — I steam or parboil them because my son won’t eat them raw, but I know other kids will
• grape tomatoes — I cut them in half and sprinkle with balsamic vinegar
• steamed green beans
• broccoli spears

Proteins

• chicken or turkey sausage with catsup for dipping
• deli meats — turkey, ham, salami (I like to roll these up)
• beans
• peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
• meat or cheese sandwiches
• peanut butter “sandwiches” made with crackers or graham crackers
• taquitos with salsa for dipping (Wyatt likes pineapple salsa from Trader Joe’s)
• baked tofu — a good one to cut into shapes
• quesadillas (I like to cut these into shapes)
• mini-burritos
• hard boiled eggs — my son wouldn’t touch these with a 10 foot pole, but maybe your kid will!

Dairy

• yogurt
• cheese cubes
• cheese slices (cut into shapes)
• cottage cheese — Wyatt won’t eat this but other kids might
• Laughing Cow cheese wedges — open the wrapper if your kid can’t do it herself
• string cheese — again, open the wrapper — or start it — if your kid can’t
• Babybel cheeses — I like to cut a shape out of the wax

How to “cute things up”:

• Cut things into shapes! Use cookie cutters to cut sandwiches, cheese, tofu, etc. into various kid-friendly shapes. I use animal, star, heart, gingerbread man and circle cutters. You probably have a few cookie cutters in your cabinets already, or you can buy some fun new ones. Also, remember that you don’t need a cutter to cut shapes. Use a regular knife to cut sandwiches into strips or triangles. Cut cheese and tofu into matchsticks or cubes.
• Use mini-versions of regular foods (or cut them smaller). Mini muffins, bagels, and crackers seem to go over better with preschoolers than regular size.
• Add sprinkles to chopped fruit.
• Add cute bento dividers to lunches.
• Use lots of color. I try to have at least three different colors in each lunch I send. It’s appealing to the eye, but it also is a good way to ensure that your child is getting lots of fruits and veggies.

Did I leave something off this list? What do you send in your kid’s lunch?