11 Simple Bento Box Lunches for Kids

I started packing lunches for my daughter when she went to preschool a decade ago. If I could travel back and tell myself one thing as I began packing lunches for my kids it would be this: pack simple, healthy, bento box lunches for your kids that nourish them and are easy for you! There are  so many different physical lunch boxes, styles of packing (hello star cut-out sandwiches and animal faces), Here are some of our favorite bento box lunches for kids. 

This Post contains affiliate links this means that I make commission from purchases through links on this page at no cost to you.

The Bento Box Lunch System

I am a busy mom of 3 who packs over 400 school lunches a year ( 3 kids x 5 days/week x 30+ school weeks). Over the years I have simplified our school lunch packing system significantly. I always want to provide and pack a nutrient-dense lunch that will fuel my kids for their school day and activities. As time has passed, I have also realized the importance of making the process sustainable for me! I outlined the easy school lunch packing system we use and our favorite school lunch packing supplies in this post here.  Packing lunches this way is an important way our family gets the school year started off right.

Favorite Bento Box Lunches for Kids 

Cheese or Chicken Quesadilla Bento Box

A Quesadilla is a great batch item that can be reheated or consumed cold. Add grilled or rotisserie chicken for an extra boost of protein. Our favorite side with this is tortilla chips and sliced bell pepper or sweet pepper. Add a small container of salsa, guacamole, or sour cream as a dip.

Greek Style Bento Box

For a Greek Style Bento Box, we include grilled chicken, pita bread or Naan, cucumbers, and a favorite fruit. Hummus or Tzatziki make the perfect dip!

Classic Sub Sandwhich 

When it comes to school lunches it doesn’t get more classic than a sub sandwich. Use Sandwich bread, a sub roll, or a small King Hawaiian roll to make what is possibly the easiest bento box lunch for kids

Breakfast for Lunch 

The Breakfast for lunch Bento Box Lunch for kids is great for left-overs or when you get to the end of the week and there isn’t much left in the way of fresh produce or meats. We love pancakes and I make a big batch weekly. We keep them in the refrigerator and eat them for breakfast and as snacks. Here, we made a pancake and nut butter sandwich for added protein and fats.

Pizza Bagel 

A Pizza Bagel is a fun addition to any lunch box. My kids were in the habit of eating this for lunch over the summer and we kept it going for school lunches this fall

Cheese and Crackers 

Cheese and crackers are a great budget-friendly bento box lunch idea kids will love. These sweet peppers are also a fun vegetable to work into the rotation of lunch box foods.

Pinwheel Roll Up

A simple “Pinwheel” sandwich is an easy way to change up a regular sandwich. This one has string cheese and turkey in a tortilla. These seedless baby cucumbers and the Once Upon A Farm pouches adds lots of color and nutrients.

Classic Peanut Butter and Jelly

If there is a picky eater in your family, this might be your go-to bento box lunch! It goes with everything and is one they are sure to eat!

DIY “Lunchable” 

The DIY “lunchable” is customizable using the meat, cheese, and cracker of your choice. Add a fruit and vegetable and check packing school lunch off your to do list!

Bagel and Cream Cheese 

This is another great option for picky eaters. Add in some color fruits and veggies for a nutrient boost. These peanut butter pretzel nuggets are a favorite in our home

Yogurt Parfait 

The greek yogurt in this lunch is big protein boost. Include granola, cereal, fruit, or your favorite yogurt topping.

Kids Bento Box Lunch Questions Answered!

What is a Bento Box Lunch?

A Bento Box is a single-portion meal with divided compartments containing different foods. This style of meal preparation and packing was originally for Japanese travelers or warriors who could take these meals with them as a portable food source. Traditionally, a bento box would include rice, a protein like fish or meat, and cooked vegetables. Today the bento box style of meal preparation and packing still provides an easy, on-the-go meal, but can contain any type of food.

What is the best bento box to use to pack?

This depends on what is most important to you! There are many materials, sizes, and compartment configurations when it comes to Bento Box Lunches for Kids. We love these stainless steel Bento Boxes from Pottery Barn Kids (photographed above). One thing to be aware of with these is that the compartments are not leakproof! There are several other popular brands such as the Bentgo Bento Box.

How do you pack liquid Items in a Bento Lunch Box?

If you have a child who loves to take dips or sauces with their lunch, we love these small stainless steel containers with a silicone lid. If you want to pack a larger volume of a liquid item such as yogurt or pasta with a sauce we use these smaller sealable containers (as seen in the photo above of the Yogurt Parfait Bento Box Lunch for Kids) for liquid items.

Do Bento Boxes keep food cold or hot?

The short answer is, no. We add an packs under and beside the bento box for items that need to be kept cold for food safety purposes such has meats and cheese. If you want to pack a hot Bento Box lunch consider the Omie Box with a thermos compartment that can keep pasta, chili, soups, and oatmeal warm until lunch time.