Getting back into the daily grind of making lunches is always difficult after summer, we all know the struggle is real.  So we have come up with a list of easy and delicious lunch options that will have your child eating all of their lunch.

These ideas are cute, colorful, and fun and translate well into high school lunch ideas (if you’re hoping to wean your teen or tween off the vending machines.)

Having a list of fast and easy ideas next to the fridge for the week really helps when you are on the go each morning. Also investing in a good bento box is another great way to making packing lunches easier. All the compartments allow you to put multiple items in one container. It is a waste-free option, eliminating extra garbage like sandwich bags and cellophane etc.

Quesadillas

Quesadillas are super quick to make, and super popular with the kids. I have yet to see a child turn one down! Filled with oozy gooey cheese and can be stuffed with all sorts of surprises, their crispy edges make them satisfying to bite into between classes—making them a perfect choice for high schoolers.

The fun thing about quesadillas is you can literally add anything and they work. Classic cheese like marble or mild cheddar is always a safe choice for picky eaters, but if you want to mix it up she recommends getting creative with combos like apple and honey, pizza toppings, or leftover chicken with a little bit of taco-style seasoning.

Stuffed Peppers

These stuffed peppers are a little bit sweet, a little bit savory, and totally kid-friendly. Those tiny, sweet peppers are a colorful, kid-friendly favourite. This is a healthy school lunch idea that may expand the culinary repertoire of your picky eaters. Once they try it, they will love it!

Simply cut the peppers in half, scoop out the seeds and add your cream cheese and sprinkled with some of your favourite seasoning. Like the Epicurious – Everything but the Bagel seasoning.

For more adventurous palates, fill these with tuna salad, egg salad, or even hummus.

Speaking of schools, browse through our South Etobicoke school guide right here.

DIY Lunchables

I don’t know about your kids, but mine always seems to want those pre-made lunchables. Which look very unhealthy and not so fresh to me. So why not try making your own version.  The sky is the limit on this customizable spin on an old favourite.  You can use your favourite deli meat, pepperoni, ham, turkey, or vegan atyle. Just cut your them small, or use a cookie cutter to make fun shapes.  Add crackers, or cut up pieces of pita bread, whichever your child prefers. Add a little sweet, and some veggies and dip and voila, you have your homemade lunchables!

Make sure to store the crackers in a separate snack bag or a well-sealed container. The meats and cheeses will naturally let off a bit of moisture, so storing crackers separately will help to keep them crisp.

Can’t bear to let the last drops of summer go? Check out some of our other community resources here to see how you can enjoy summer in South Etobicoke to its fullest!

Pinwheel Wraps

Fun, delicious, and simple to make, these pesto pinwheels are a winner.

Simply take a roll of Pillsbury crescent rolls, unroll it flat and seal all the perforated edges to form one large sheet of dough. Spread with your favourite toppings combo like pesto and shredded cheese, or tomato sauce and cream cheese. Using a pizza wheel, cut into 2-inch strips, then roll and cook as directed on the dough package. Cool completely before packing in the bento box.

Pasta Dippers

We love this tapas-style idea for turning leftover pasta into a dipper-style lunch. Take your bow tie pasta for a fun look, and have the kids help out by letting them skewer the pasta and any other additions they’d like, like pepperoni, peppers, olives, and mozzarella balls, in different patterns. Add a little container of tomato sauce, or a cream sauce for dipping.  This one is sure to be a winner, such a fun and easy lunch solution.

Good luck with a great start to a fresh new school year. Hopefully these fun lunch ideas will help you out with easy and painless start to the year!

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