1. Think “little bits” instead of a big lunch

Kids often enjoy a variety of smaller foods more than one big sandwich. Try cheese cubes, crackers, grapes, cucumbers, a hard-boiled egg, and a little dip. It’s basically a kid-friendly snack box!

2. Make your own Lunchables

Skip the expensive individual packages. Pack crackers, sliced cheese, turkey or ham, fruit, and a little treat. Kids get to build their own lunch, and you can use ingredients you already have.

3. Turn dinner leftovers into tomorrow’s lunch

Before everyone finishes dinner, tuck a serving away! Leftover taco meat can become a taco bowl. Chicken can go into a wrap. Pasta, meatballs, pizza, or even last night’s breakfast-for-dinner can make an easy lunch.

4. Prep fruit yourself

Individual fruit cups and packages are convenient, but you pay for that convenience. Wash grapes or berries and portion them yourself. Slice apples and toss them with a little orange or lemon juice to help prevent browning. Apple Berry Salsa is another fun way to pack fruit!

5. Keep a few freezer favorites ready

Homemade muffins, pancakes, waffles, egg bites, and energy bites are great to make ahead and freeze. Pull out what you need the night before and breakfast—or part of lunch—is ready to go.

6. Let kids build their own wraps

A tortilla can make yesterday’s ingredients feel completely different. Try chicken and ranch, turkey and cheese, hummus and veggies, or even peanut butter and banana if your school allows peanut products.

7. Buy the big container and portion it yourself

Yogurt, applesauce, pretzels, popcorn, crackers, and other snacks are usually less expensive when you aren’t buying individual packages. Reusable containers make it just as convenient.

8. Have a “pick one from each” lunch formula

Keep it simple: protein + fruit or veggie + grain + something fun. For example: turkey roll-ups + strawberries + crackers + a homemade mini muffin. You don’t need a brand-new lunch idea every day!

9. Ask your kids what they actually eat

This sounds obvious, but check the lunchbox when it comes home. What disappeared? What keeps coming back? There’s no bargain in packing inexpensive healthy food if it ends up in the trash.

10. Prep ingredients—not necessarily complete lunches

Spend a little time washing fruit, cutting vegetables, shredding cheese, portioning snacks, and cooking a batch of chicken or hard-boiled eggs. Then you can mix and match those ingredients all week without eating the exact same lunch every day.

One of my favorite lunch-packing tips: Before you buy something specifically for school lunches, look in your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry first. You may already have half the week’s lunches waiting for you!