When I asked on Instagram last month what types of Back to School posts moms wanted to see, there were SO many messages about packing lunches. I’m not the best person to ask because it’s something I dread too and if it were up to my kids, they’d pretty much eat the same thing for the 180 days of school. The one thing I have done to help keep some variety is to look at lists of things to put in a lunchbox. Today I’m sharing 50 things to put in a lunchbox.

Over the years, I’ve used a few different lists, highlighting things my kids would actually eat and this summer I put together a list of some of our favorites. I keep the list on the fridge for when I let the kids pack lunch and for me when I need to order groceries or go to the grocery store. Here’s the list and if you scroll down you’ll see the free printable (or click here to download it now & print).

50 Things to Put in a Lunch Box

Fruits

1. Strawberries
2. Blueberries
3. Banana (draw a face on it & make kids laugh!)
4. Apple slices
5. Orange slices
6. Raspberries
7. Raisins
8. Yogurt covered raisins
9. Watermelon slices
10. Cantelope

Veggies

1. Carrots & ranch
2. Cold Green beans
3. Sliced peppers
4. Cucumbers – round or spears!
5. Olives

Dairy

1. Yogurt & granola
2. Babybel cheese
3. string cheese
4. sliced cheese (easiest spot to do shapes I think!)
5. Squeezable yogurt

Protein

1. Lunch meat
2. Pepperoni slices
3. Leftover meatballs
4. Beans
5. Hard boiled egg

Grains

1. Sandwich
2. Round crackers (with the cheese!)
3. Tortillas cut in triangles
4. Pasta (we love the wagon wheels for lunch!)
5. Mini bagel, plain or with butter or cream cheese
6. Veggie sticks
7. Muffins
8. Waffles
9. Tortilla chips & salsa
10. Cereal

Easy!

1. Go go squeeze
2. Granola bar
3. Cereal bar
4. Just Fruit bar
5. pretzels

Other Lunchbox Ideas:

1. Cinnamon Raisin Bread
2. Pizza bagel
3. Mac & Cheese in a thermos
4. Soup in a thermos
5. Ants on a log
6. Fruit Leather
7. Pirate’s Booty
8. Grilled Cheese
9. Rice cakes with spread
10. Hummus or chocolate hummus

And here’s the fun lunch box cheat sheet you can click here to download and print for free!

All of the clothes in the post are from Tea Collection. We’ve been wearing Tea for Back to School for 7 years now. They’re super comfortable and our favorite play clothes. This year the line is inspired by the USA and Back to School is all about “First Day Across the USA”. There were so many cute styles this fall that it was hard to choose. Although 2 of Tommy’s favorite things are gorillas and bananas… so choosing this shirt was easy for him!

All of the cool lunch boxes shown in the post are from Planet Box. I have wanted to try these for a while and they are awesome. I love that there are 2 different sizes AND a bag that they fit in. In the past I bought bento boxes that didn’t fit in their lunch boxes. The magnets that you can personalize them with are neat too. I love that you get little containers and also can order these silicone dividers – makes for even more compartments!

Shoes pictured are See Kai Run, another brand I’ve been using for Back to School for over 7 years now. They’re hands down my favorite school sneakers! There are sizes from baby to big kids.

For more lunch packing tips & tricks, visit these posts:

Packed Lunch Box Ideas 

Free Printable Lunch Box Notes 

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