Looking for the best lunchboxes for preschoolers? Chances are you’re also looking for a way to cut your child’s expenses. Here’s a few suggestions to save you money and provide you with quality, healthy lunches.

If you’re looking for some easy and healthy lunch ideas for your preschooler than you have come to the right place. I have five kid (okay, four are not mine) and I’ve learned a thing or two on how to pack a healthy lunch that they will actually eat. My four-year-old goes to preschool, so I know what kind of lunches they like and do not like.

Best Lunches For Preschoolers

Boring cheese quesadillas, easy-peasy guac (recipe in book), pepper sticks, peaches, nut-free trail mix and a sweet potato, mango & black current pouch in the Planetbox Bento.

Curry egg salad sandwich (recipe in book), watermelon, mandarin oranges + blueberries, celery + peanut butter and dark chocolate in the Planetbox Bento.

Pulled pork sandwich with slaw, cut melon and strawberries, mixed dried fruit, Smarties and carrot sticks in the Steeltainer Bento.

Dinosaur almond butter + jelly sandwich, carrot sticks with ranch dip, peaches + grapes and pressed green juice (apples + celery + spinach + lemon) in BeatrixNY Bento and Cup.

. Pumpkin yogurt with chia seeds, snappea sticks, dark chocolate power berry balls, blackberry + grape + pear finger salad, leftover cilantro + cheddar + corn bread muffin in the Bentology Bento.

Pretzel bagel bites and cucumber slices with honey mustard dipping sauce, granola + yogurt covered raisins and pear + pomegranate seeds finger salad in the LunchBots Bento.

Turkey pesto sausage pizza, green bean sticks with dipping sauce, cinnamon sweet potato chips, apple chunks and organic fruit chews in the Comfort Loft Bento.

‘E’ pear sandwich with seed-tella and Halloween sprinkles (Ellie is convinced every meal should have sprinkles in it;) grape kabobs, olive slices, dehydrated strawberries and sliced sweet peppers in the Innobaby Bus Bento.

Bento box on left – kale chips, homemade applesauce, pink container has chocolate coveredsesame seeds. Bento box on right – leftover slow cooker salsa chicken + cheese baked flautos, salsa, yellow container has a couple dried blueberries in the Steeltainer Bento.

 Green hatch chili + lime hummus with carrot sticks, snap peas and multi-grain crackers, strawberries + pomegranate seeds, gouda slices and organic fruit chews in the Steeltainer Bento.

Pasta and meatballs, pear slices and graham crackers with goat cheese and blueberries (recipe in book) in the Steeltainer Bento and Thermos.

Whole wheat sandwich with seed-tella and raspberry jam, kettle chips, mandarin orange + blueberry finger salad, dye-free chocolate candy, dried blueberries + cranberries in the Innobaby Bus Bento.

-free chocolate candy, dried blueberries + cranberries in the Innobaby Bus Bento.

Bits & pieces lunch in purée tray with lid – seed butter + raspberry jam sandwich, dried cranberries, sharp cheddar, frozen edamame, cherry tomatoes, blackberries, grapes, pomegranate seeds, dark chocolate and nut-free granola. I also sent a reusable pouch of broccoli + asparagus purée with tarragon and a little Greek yogurt in the Fresh Baby Puree Tray and Nourish with Style Pouch.

Turkey and cheese roll-ups + tomatoes on a stick with ranch dressing, kiwi + blueberry + pomegranate seeds finger salad, purple carrot sticks, homemade cookie and pretzels in the Steeltainer Bento.

Chicken + bean quesadilla with salsa, root veggie chips, avocado chunks, peppermint waffles cookies and blackberries in the Steeltainer Bento.

Egg salad sandwich, carrot sticks with ranch dip, pear + raspberry finger salad and a tropical dried fruit mix in the Steeltainer Bento.

Zucchini + chive cream cheese with carrot rolls ups on a whole wheat tortilla, melon balls, raspberry + pomegranate seeds, raisins, and frozen edamame in the Steeltainer Bento.

Whole wheat mini bagel with pumpkin cream cheese, covered pretzels, tri-colored carrots, hard-boiled egg and kiwi + blackberry + grape finger salad in the Innobaby Bus Bento.

Caprese sandwiches on-a-stick with basil dipping sauce, organic beef jerky and melon + blackberry + grape finger salad in the LunchBots Bento.

 Bits & Pieces lunch – crackers, cheddar, grapes, sliced chicken, cucumbers, organic yummies and a pouch with applesauce + plain yogurt and cinnamon in the BEABA Container and the Nourish with Style Pouch.

Apple slice sandwich with spiced seed butter + shaved coconut + granola, avocado + cucumber + tomato finger salad with lime juice, cheese slices, dehydrated strawberries and some organic chocolate candy in the Steeltainer Bento.

Breakfast for Lunch – refined sugar-free chocolate waffle cream cheese sandwich, rainbow fruit sticks, yogurt with peach jam and granola in the Bentology Bento

French bread pizza with corn + cherry tomatoes, blackberry + peach + raspberry finger salad, ants on a log using seed butter, dark chocolate pretzels and red pepper sticks in the Steeltainer Bento.

Whole wheat sandwich rolls ups with cream cheese and peach jam, pear + edamame + dried cherry finger salad, nectarine applesauce with Greek yogurt and cherry tomatoes with ranch dip in the Bentology Bento.

Leftover basil + citrus chicken salad in whole wheat pita (recipe in book), grilled peaches + blueberries in yogurt, cheddar bunnies, heirloom tomatoes and a small amount of jelly beans in the Innobaby Bus Bento.

Leftover chicken sausage + cheese tortellini with nut-free pesto sauce and corn, pepper sticks with ranch dipping sauce, melon balls, dried fruit mix and Babybel cheese in the Steeltainer Bento.

Sandwich on a stick (meatball, cheese, toasted roll, olives, meatball), chopped strawberries, homemade sweet potato chips, chocolate chip cookie and avocado + edamame finger salad with lemon juice in the Steeltainer Bento.

Orange chicken salad + carrot wrap on whole wheat tortilla, popcorn + dried fruit with cinnamon, steamed broccoli with olive oil, dark chocolate pretzels and blackberries in the Steeltainer Bento.

Preschool Lunch Ideas

KIDS LUNCH IDEAS FOR SNACK PLATES

Assembling bits and pieces of ingredients to make a fun snack plate is an easy toddler lunch—and one that you can easily adjust to make an adult lunch for yourself while you’re at it! This works so well at home or in a kids lunch box.

• Simple Cheese and Crackers with your choice of whole grain crackers, sliced or diced cheese, fruit, and a simple veggie like cucumber or snap peas.
• Deluxe Cheese and Crackers with all of the above plus chopped salami or deli turkey or ham, diced dried apricots, and yogurt covered pretzels.
• Muffin Tin Lunch with an assortment of proteins, carbohydrates, and produce in the cups of a muffin tin. (Leftovers can work well in this!)
• BLT Snack Plate with components of the classic sandwich—bacon, lettuce, tomato, and brea—cubed and served side-by-side on a plate.
• Cobb Salad Snack Plate with the components of the classic salad—grilled chicken, avocado, bacon, cheese, corn, and more—cubed and served side-by-side.
• Caprese Snack Plate with mozzarella, halved cherry tomatoes, and cubed baguette or bread. Add some fresh fruit and maybe some chickpeas alongside.
• Protein Snack Plate with a meat stick, cubed avocado, steamed cauliflower or broccoli, and sliced hard cooked eggs.
• Taco Snack Plate with browned ground beef, shredded cheese, black beans, diced tomatoes, and thawed sweet corn. Add strips of warm tortilla if you want.
• Pretzels and Nut/Seed Butter Plate with a simple veggie like snap peas or tomatoes and berries. (Trade in cheese for the nut/seed butter to vary this idea.)
• Homemade Lunchables with whole grain crackers, deli meat, cheese, and a treat. And maybe some fresh fruit to round things out!

TIP: This sort of snack lunch is a great option when it seems like you’re out of “regular” lunch foods.

LUNCH BOX IDEAS FOR KIDS WITH MUFFINS

There are few things more satisfying than a warm muffins, especially if you make them ahead and have them waiting in the fridge or freezer. Though actually, baking muffins is also a perfect toddler activity, so consider making them late morning and then enjoy them together for lunch! Pair any of these kids lunch ideas with fresh fruit or veggies, cheese, milk, or a smoothie.

• Healthy Strawberry Muffins: Fresh and versatile if you need to bake egg or gluten-free, these are a healthy muffin option.
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Muffins: Gluten-free and super indulgent tasting, these muffins have protein and yummy flavor.
• Vegan Zucchini Muffins: Make a batch of these mini muffins to serve up a slightly sweet veggie muffin.
• Fruit and Veggie Muffins: These muffins are totally packed with produce!
• Blueberry Muffins with Oats: Moist and naturally sweet, these blueberry muffins boast fiber, whole grains, and fruit.
• Allergy-Friendly Banana Muffins: If you need to bake without the top allergens, these little muffins are a wholesome choice.
• Chocolate Banana Muffins with Oats: Whole grains, fruit, and just enough cocoa to make them taste like a treat, the kids will love these muffins.
• Muffin Tin Pizza Bombs: Who wouldn’t want something called a pizza bomb??
• Applesauce Muffins: Warm with a side of fruit and milk, these muffins would make for a simple and satisfying toddler lunch.
• Cocoa Protein Muffins with Hidden Veggies: These little muffins taste like brownies but boast super—and veggies!
• Zucchini Fritter Muffins with sliced tomatoes and a side of fruit.
• Veggie Muffins with carrots and broccoli right in the mix with fruit and milk.

TIP: You may want to dice up a muffin for a toddler to make them easier to eat.

• Couscous with Meatballs and Marinara Sauce. Maybe add some green beans or zucchini!
• Rice and Beans with Salsa and shredded cheese and a side of fruit.
• Jasmine Rice with Scrambled Eggs and Peanut Sauce, with a side of whole grain cookies and/or fruit.
• Coconut Rice with Black Beans and a side of mango.
• Coconut Rice with Peas and a side of dried fruit.
• Quinoa with Spinach Pesto, white beans, and fruit.
• Quinoa with Tomato Soup (just a little so it’s still thick enough to eat easily with a spoon) with crackers and fruit.
• Easy Fried Rice with Eggs and Veggies. Maybe add a simple smoothie alongside!
• Warmed Leftover Rice with Mashed Avocado, paired with shredded chicken or beef and oranges.
• Barley in Chicken Broth with Corn, Peas, and Carrots (you know, the veggie medley from the freezer section!). Top with Parmesan cheese.
• Cheesy Rice with fruit and a snack bar.

TIP: Plain grains can be messy, but these ideas have something in the mix to help hold them together.

Eggs are easy to keep on hand in the fridge and super fast to cook up. Plus, they’re a great source of vegetarian protein and healthy fats. Try making these kids lunch ideas with eggs.

• Mini Egg Muffins with Cheese and Veggies, paired with dry cereal and fruit. (You can make these ahead and keep them in the fridge!)
• Mexican Egg Muffins with Spinach, with salsa for dipping and applesauce. (Also good for making ahead.)
• Make-Ahead Egg Muffins with Bacon, with toast or a waffle and berries.
• Grain Bowls with Scrambled Eggs and Peanut Sauce—which is a fancy way of saying to serve scrambled eggs over cooked rice! Add a sauce or serve this plain.
• Cubed Hard-Cooked Eggs, Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes, and Avocado, with a mixture of salsa and sour cream or yogurt drizzled on top or on the side.
• Huevos Rancheros Tacos paired with sliced pear and shredded cheese.
• Scrambled Eggs with Toast and Jam, sliced cucumbers and tomatoes.
• Mini Omelet with Cheese, Snipped Baby Spinach, and/or Sauteed Mushrooms. Served with dry cereal or toast and fruit.
• Eggs Baked in Tomato Sauce with chickpeas and a side of fruit on the side.
• Hard-Cooked Egg Plate with crackers, berries, snap peas, and yogurt covered raisins. (Your toddler may only like the white or yellow part of the egg—that’s normal!)

TIP: Some kids only like the whites of hard cooked eggs due to the texture and that’s understandable. It’s normal to have preferences.