Busy-morning lunches
5 Last-Minute School Lunch Ideas for Busy Mornings
Not sure what to put in the lunchbox this morning? Start with one of these five school lunch ideas. Each includes a main, sides and a drink, plus a printable checklist. Pick the one that fits what you have at home and start putting lunch together.
Before you pack: keep refrigerated foods cold
Pack perishable foods in an insulated lunch bag with at least two cold sources, such as frozen gel packs. Keep refrigerated foods cold until packing and at 40°F / 4°C or below during storage and transport.
1. A build-your-own snack box
Put crackers, cheese and your choice of deli meat into separate compartments—we’re using turkey in this example. Add apple slices and baby carrots, then pack chocolate milk. Slice the apple as you pack—nothing needs to be cooked.
- Main
- Build-a-BoxCrackers, cheese & turkey
- Fruit
- Apple Slices
- Veggie
- Baby Carrots
- Side
- Cheese
- Drink
- Chocolate Milk
Packing notes
- Give the sliced apple and carrots their own compartments or small containers.
- Keep the cheese and chocolate milk cold using the guidance above.
Prints this one-page packing sheet only, with blank checkboxes.
2. Mini bagel, cream cheese and a little crunch
Split a mini bagel and spread it with cream cheese. Slice an apple and some cucumber, add Goldfish, then fill a water bottle. There’s no cooking involved, and the crunchy sides can go in their own compartments.
- Main
- Mini Bagel & Cream Cheese
- Fruit
- Apple Slices
- Veggie
- Cucumber Slices
- Side
- Goldfish
- Drink
- Cold Water
Packing notes
- Keep Goldfish separate from the cucumber so they stay crisp.
- Check the water-bottle cap before closing the lunch bag.
Prints this one-page packing sheet only, with blank checkboxes.
3. Yogurt parfait with fruit and crunch
Spoon yogurt into a lidded container and add mixed berries. Put granola in a separate small container for crunch at lunchtime. Add pineapple chunks, baby carrots and Goldfish, then fill a water bottle.
- Main
- Yogurt Parfait
- Fruit
- Pineapple Chunks
- Veggie
- Baby Carrots
- Side
- Goldfish
- Drink
- Cold Water
Packing notes
- Pack a spoon and check that the yogurt container’s lid is secure.
- Give Goldfish a separate compartment from the moist foods.
Prints this one-page packing sheet only, with blank checkboxes.
4. Cheese sandwich with fruit and crunchy sides
Put cheese between two slices of bread and cut the sandwich into manageable pieces. Slice some cucumber, add grapes and string cheese, then pack drinkable yogurt. You can put this lunch together as you pack, without cooking.
- Main
- Cheese Sandwich
- Fruit
- Grapes
- Veggie
- Cucumber Slices
- Side
- String Cheese
- Drink
- Drinkable Yogurt
Packing notes
- Give the grapes and cucumber their own compartments.
- Keep the sandwich and yogurt cold using the guidance above.
Prints this one-page packing sheet only, with blank checkboxes.
5. SunButter & Jelly with a simple side
Spread SunButter and jelly on bread and close the sandwich. Add grapes and a mini muffin, then fill a water bottle. This example keeps the lunch simple with a sandwich, fruit, a side and a drink; the veggie is skipped.
- Main
- SunButter & Jelly
- Fruit
- Grapes
- Veggie
- Explicitly skipped
- Side
- Mini Muffin
- Drink
- Cold Water
Packing notes
- Cut the sandwich into a shape your child can comfortably handle.
- Give the mini muffin its own spot so it doesn’t get squashed.
Prints this one-page packing sheet only, with blank checkboxes.
Make the next morning a little easier
When you have a moment, save a few combinations that work for your family. Lunch Crew keeps planned food choices and packing lists together, so the next morning can start with a plan.
See how Lunch Crew works