We’re back to school and my teenager refuses to buy lunch from school. She can’t have PB& J every single day so I’ve come up with a few things that work for here. Here are my ideas for a big kid school lunch. I’ve tried to stay healthy but I’d be a liar if I didn’t admit that things like fruit snacks, Goldfish and Cookies make it in her lunch box too.
First up? English Muffin Pepperoni Pizzas. You can make these before and freeze them. Take them out in the morning and they thaw by lunch. Super easy. Just split your muffin, top with sauce, mozzarella cheese and pepperoni and then bake at 350 until the cheese melts. Served with a side of edamame, some strawberries, fruit dip and a lemonade, it’s a balanced meal. See that cute lunchbox note? My friend Kari made a complete set that’s exclusive for the readers of my blog. You can download all of them here!
Next up? Ham and Cheese Roll Ups with baby carrots, pretzels and trail mix. If you’re in a school that has a peanut ban due to allergies, you’ll want to sub out the trail mix for yogurt covered raisins or another snack. Don’t forget to add a note to remind your child how proud you are of them!
Another great idea? BLT’s on little buns (I put the tomato on the side), celery and pickle chips (which if you haven’t tried them, they are amazing). I love these King’s Hawaiian Rolls. My teen doesn’t want a huge sandwich so they’re the perfect size. Of course, I want to reminder that she’ll kill her test this afternoon!
Finally, I sent Caeser salad for lunch a lot so I thought we’d try to mix it up. A nice garden salad, pasta salad (I have the perfect recipe here), cheese cubes and apples. Want a little more protein? Add some peanut butter. Make your kid’s day amazing with this free printable
Hope this gives you some great ideas! You’ll want to be sure to download the FREE lunchbox printables. Your kids will love them. Check them out!
amber.m says
Oh my goodness, these are the cutest little lunchbox notes I’ve ever seen!
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debcb says
Thanks! It’s the same gal that designed my logo. She’s really talented!
debcb recently posted…Big Kid School Lunch PLUS free printable notes!
Eugenia says
Such cute notes! Thats a very cute idea!!
debcb says
Even my teen loves them!
debcb recently posted…Big Kid School Lunch PLUS free printable notes!
Jessica H. says
I used to love finding notes from my mom in my lunchbox as a kid! Such a cute idea!
Jessica H. recently posted…10 Things to Do in Your 30’s
debcb says
Who doesn’t love a little pick me up during the day?
debcb recently posted…Big Kid School Lunch PLUS free printable notes!
Krystal says
I love putting notes in my kids lunches. These are so cute
Stephanie Louise ( says
I love roll up sushi!
Jess Scull says
english muffin pizzas are SO GOOD! what a cute idea to put in a note!
Carrie says
Love those little notes! Of course, my teenage son would probably be mortified if I ever put anything like that in his lunch for school, lol. 😉 And he is all about the school lunches- he doesn’t like to pack one. So, I guess Michelle didn’t screw up our local schools’ hot lunches at least. 😉
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debcb says
You’re lucky. Ours are terrible and unfortunately it takes most of lunch hour to get through the line.
debcb recently posted…Big Kid School Lunch PLUS free printable notes!
Kendra says
Such a cute idea for lunches!
Stephanie says
Love these sweet little notes. Really cute!
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Carly says
Those notes are the CUTEST!!!!
JaneEllen says
Thanks so much for these cute notes. Printing out for our wonderful 17 yr. old grand daughter. She works so hard at school, works at a job and helps her working Mom. We are so lucky to her for our grand daughter who is our youngest grand child.
Happy weekend