I know, it’s that time of year again. Where we have to come up with ideas for packing kids’ school lunchboxes. With stuff they’ll actually eat.
I can’t really complain, my girls have been at a place all last year that provided lunch and it was a huge relief not to have to worry about it. On the flip side, neither of my kids ate anything that was served the whole year, so they had sandwiches instead. I would have very much liked to send them with something else I know they would eat, but we aren’t allowed.
Now that Bigs is about to start kinder, I’m corralling all the things I used to pop in her tiny bags and boxes many moons ago and getting ahead for the new school year. I’m SO excited for her, but I’m also a little sad. There’ll be plenty of school holidays to squeeze my kid til she squeaks, and part of parenting is letting go, right?
And feeding them, of course.
I hope your littlies like them too!
School Lunchbox Ideas: Savoury
Vegetarian Sausage Rolls – freeze them in their unbaked state and bake a few the night before.
This lemony, potatoey take on a traditional fish cake is just about the best thing ever.
Greek-style Risoni Salad that is excellent made in advance and popped into little containers. Gotta love those bocconcini balls!
Three-Ingredient Wholewheat Cheese Crackers. SO ADDICTIVE.
Can’t resist these veggie-packed (but slightly sweet thanks to the pumpkin) Quinoa Bites. Excellent with a little pot of chutney for dipping.
Spinach and Cheese Rolls are super-simple, made from stuff you’d normally have on hand, and can be made in advance and frozen.
Yes, focaccia! It’s easy and you can put great stuff on it. Hearty enough for a lunchbox and a welcome change from sandwiches.
Spinach and Feta Savoury Muffins with delicious little bits of semi-dried tomato.
Super-easy but super-full-of-flavour corn fritters
Roasted pumpkin hommus served with little bits of homemade bread, crackers, or breadsticks.
Hidden Veggie Pizza Scrolls – tastes like a cheesy pizza scroll, but with homemade tomato sauce packed with veggies.
rice paper rolls. I’ve been adding Soyco Marinated Tofu and they are extra good!
Kale Chips, for the adventurous child (not mine so far, but hey, I can try!)
These savoury scones are SO GOOD, especially with a little mustard and butter.
Bagels are also a great change up from sandwiches and wraps, and these can be made in bulk and frozen. This recipe calls for jalapenos, but if that’s not to your kiddos’ liking, feel free to sub with what they’ll love.
Hungry yet? What goes in your little ones’ lunchbox?
We have childcare-provided lunch here too and he eats so much more adventurously there than at home, which is great/not so great. But he loves homemade sausage rolls (never had a storebought one). I made him ones with pistachios and craisins for Christmas eve dinner while we had roast pork because he’s not a fan of meat in its natural meaty state.
haha that sounds so fancy! I figured my kids might feel a bit more adventurous if other kids were eating it, but so far it hasn’t happened 🙁
I’d eat this stuff so it is all going to do double duty. Thanks!
haha same. Those cheddar crackers are the bomb.
I used to make lots of different things for my son’s lunches but they get more concerned about fitting play time in rather than eating as they get older. The orzo salad looks like it could be a winner for him though.
I’ve got allllll that to look forward to!
Yep It’s all good.
Oh love the quinoa bites, Ill be trying these and the spinach & feta muffins! Yumo. Always looking for yummy healthy lunchbox inspiration 🙂
Well I hope they go down a treat! My fussy kids love the quinoa balls, I was so relieved 🙂
Oh that is a great idea about freezing the uncooked vege rolls. I will be making these before school starts as my kids are SUCKERS for pastry! Although the spinach and feta muffins are right up my alley! Thanks for sharing 🙂
hell, *I* am a sucker for pastry!
For what feels like 100 years I have been making Vegemite sandwiches, Vegemite crackers, Vegemite rolls. Try as I may those boys of mine want nothing else. Last year it got to the stage where lunch was being bought home EVERY DAY! I wanted to cry. Instead I told them I wasn’t making lunch anymore & they had to pack their own stuff. I provide a selection of snacks, they pack what they want. These dickheads of mine won’t even eat from the canteen! I mean WTF!!!!
You’re such a good girl. I’ve already given up trying, and my eldest is only three 🙂
Our kindy is so strict on what foods to take. No home baking allowed!! Foods that are “kindy” food are cheese, yoghurt or custard. Cereals, sandwiches, fruit and vegetables. That’s it. I really wanted to send some home baked goods with Esther to Kindy but that’s a home food, not a kindy food.
Do you know why they have that rule?
those quinoa balls are going to get made for my work lunches – maybe I’ll share w/ chil’un if they’re lucky
Neverrrrrr!
My kids all love Kale chips…but it might have to do with the fact that one of them is actually named Kale (he was born well before it became known as a superfood).