Getting toddlers to try new foods can be a challenging task, and if you’re looking for some new and exciting lunch ideas for daycare to keep them interested, you’re in the right place!
Once you’ve found a few favorites that you can make on repeat, it will make those early mornings and lunchtime for your little one feel so much easier.
There’s a little bit of something for everyone here, with pasta fuelled, bento style boxes and sweet treats for your little ones.
13 Make Ahead Toddler lunch ideas for daycare
Bento Box Lunch Ideas
1. Onigiri & Mini Hamburgers
Originating in Japan, bento boxes are a popular concept that are nutritious, designed for convenience and contain a perfect balance of rice or noodles, protein and vegetables.
Onigiri (a rice ball) is a core feature in a kids bento, you can have some fun creating little faces too to help make lunchtime that little bit more enticing.
This box also includes mini hamburgers, egg, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, crackers, edamame and strawberries for a sweet snack afterwards.
2. An Onigiri Salad
For something a little bit lighter, this onigiri salad is a must try!
Featuring onigiri, salad, broccoli, tomatoes, sweetcorn and cauliflower for the perfect balance of nutritious superfoods.
Healthy (Vegan) Lunch Boxes
3. Vegan Sandwiches & Little Bites
There are so many ideas for healthy vegan lunches that your toddler will adore too. Veggie based with some interesting extras chucked in too.
This little lunchbox contains baby carrots, garlic hummus, sesame tofu bites, cashews, almond butter and jelly (jam) sandwiches.
4. Vegan Cheesy Broccoli Fritters
How good do these homemade vegan cheesy broccoli fritters look though?
Featuring sweetcorn, tomatoes, peanut butter sandwiches, vegan cheesy broccoli fritters, raspberries, hummus and blueberries. A little bit of everything for your toddler to enjoy.
5. Mexican Themed
Theming lunchboxes is another great way to keep your little one engaged with their lunches.
These vegan quesadillas are the star of the show here with vegan chao cheese, baked garbanzo beans, berries and plenty of veggies.
Sandwiches
6. Classic Ham and Cheese Sandwiches
Sandwiches are a cult classic for toddler lunchboxes, easy for parents to make and yummy for little ones!
Ham and cheese is a timeless combo and can be enjoyed by the fussiest little one too. Elevate their overall lunch by adding in some healthy veggies such as carrots, cucumber and some treats such as strawberries, grapes, apple, a chocolate tart, pringles and soft jelly.
7. PB & J Sandwiches
I’ve never seen a little one throw a rage at PB & J sandwiches!
Add in some fruit, cheese, and soft baked cookies for a little afternoon treat.
8. Wholemeal Tuna Roll Sandwiches
How good do these wholemeal tuna roll sandwiches look? Wholegrains and protein for a perfect balance.
Finished with some petit miam no added sugar yoghurt, cheese, coles puffed corn and quinoa chips, tiny teddies cookies, cheerios, capsicum and cucumber and strawberries.
Sweet Snacks
9. Healthy Sweet Snacks
If you’re looking for some sweet snacks that are healthy too, take inspiration from the below for your kids lunchbox.
It features gummie candy, cara cara oranges, Cheetos, yoghurt with sprinkles and some savoury turkey and cheddar pinwheels, yummy!
10. Fruit & Snack Bars
If you’re looking for some easy ideas for their lunchbox in the morning, you don’t have to be super fancy.
Sometimes the easiest things are the best and most appreciated, a simple piece of fruit and one of their favorite snack bars will go a long way!
Pastas
11. Butter Pasta With Shredded Italian Squash
If your little one loves pasta, they will adore this lunchbox!
Think butter pasta with shredded Italian squash, air fried popcorn shrimp and mango chunks for a healthy, balanced meal.
12. Creamy Chicken and Basil Pasta
Can we get this in adult size please? This one is great for meal prepping in advance too, add some creamy chicken and basil pasta with plum tomatoes and kiwi for dessert.
13. Classic Spag Bol
A classic spag bol is one of those easy meal prep ideas that can become a weekly repeat.
Mix it up with some fruit, peppers, yoghurt and candy for dessert.
Which of these will you be trying for your little one? Please share some of your own favorite and easy lunch ideas for daycare with us in the comments below!
