10 Kids Bento Box Lunch Ideas
A good lunch does more than satisfy your children’s hunger; it also provides your child with the essential nutrients they need. Variety is another factor to be considered, as most parents know that kids can get bored of their food very quickly.
Before making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches again, here are some of the best kids bento box lunch ideas for you to consider. These ideas can provide your children with something different and delicious during their lunch period.
What Is a Bento Lunch Box?
Originating from Japan, bento lunch boxes take the form of compact hot and cold food containers. While small, these containers carry a wide variety of food items, from appetisers to desserts. Typically, Japanese bento boxes contain small servings of rice or noodles with a variety of toppings that also serve as decorations.
Some bento boxes feature partitions that separate the main course from side dishes, such as pickled vegetables and desserts like apple slices. Since the food is served in small portions, a bento box should include healthy options that can keep kids energised for the rest of the day. If you think a bento box is worth trying, check out these 10 easy lunch box ideas for an exciting and healthy lunch:
10 Bento Box Lunch Ideas
1. Colourful Veggie Skewers
If your child is a fan of vegetable snacks, or refuses them, you can make these foods fun by slicing some tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, and red and yellow bell capsicum and stacking them into our colourful skewer sticks. You can even place them on top of rice and add a small amount of tomato sauce.
2. Mini Pita Pockets with Chicken Salad
Mix chicken with tomatoes, cucumber, and cheese to create a filling. On a skillet, heat both sides of a sheet of pita bread and form it into a pocket. Insert the filling and place it in the lunch box along with a small serving of hummus.
3. Apple Sandwiches with Peanut Butter
Your child needs a healthy amount of fibre. What better way to do that than adding apple sandwiches that come with peanut butter spread? The sweetness of both will make for a delicious lunch that’s good for digestive health.
4. DIY Pizza
This one is as tasty as it is fun to make. You only need pizza dough and a few choice ingredients: marinara sauce, mozzarella, and sausage slices. Create a small disc, add the sauce and other ingredients, and cook in the oven! Some kids love cooking so this doubles as a good activity too.
5. Egg Salad Sandwich
Known in Japan as tamago sando, this easy recipe involves mashing a few hard-boiled eggs and mixing them together with mayonnaise, a bit of salt, and some butter and milk for a creamy texture.
6. Turkey and Cheese Pinwheel Wraps
These pinwheel wraps pack plenty of flavour, and they’re surprisingly easy to make. You just need to lay slices of turkey on top of tortilla strips topped with a mixture of cream cheese, garlic, and onion. Rolled into pinwheels, these wraps will surely leave your kid wanting more. Send them in with the no mess and reusable wrap holder.
7. Veggie Sushi Rolls
Most bento boxes contain sushi, so if you want your kid to have the full Japanese experience, you can introduce this option (minus the raw fish). Veggie sushi rolls may contain carrots, cucumber, avocado, and red onion. Add rice and roll them on seaweed for a tasty lunch.
8. Ants on a Log (Celery with Peanut Butter and Sultanas)
Here’s something that’s both sweet and healthy. Slice some celery lengthwise and fill the spaces with peanut butter and place sultanas on top (also try raisins or currants). Your kids will definitely love munching on these instead of chocolate bars!
9. Rainbow Fruit Skewers
For a fun fruit snack, try skewering some grapes, oranges, pineapple, apples, and watermelon into colorful kebabs. Experiment with different fruits and combinations.
10. Mini Muffins
Sweet snacks don’t have to be as large as a slice of black forest cake. If the bento box still has space, consider adding a small chocolate chip muffin to the mix.
Make Lunchtime Fun and Healthy for Your Kids
You can add variety and aesthetics to your child’s lunch box by trying these Japanese-inspired kids' lunch box ideas. Start by browsing our range of lunch boxes perfect for your kid.