23 Easy Daycare Lunch Ideas for Toddlers
As if getting out the door isn’t hard enough, packing a lunch that’s healthy, appealing, and daycare-approved can feel like a never-ending challenge. And if you have a picky-eater, it’s 1000x harder! Below, we’ll explore some tips and tricks for creating easy toddler lunch ideas that are healthy and enjoyable (and most importantly, that your kid will eat!).
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When I first started making daycare lunches for my toddler son, I tried to go all out! I created elaborate lunches that looked pretty, were extremely healthy, and took an extraordinary amount of time to make. I had visions of my toddler loving every bite- and was quickly brought back down to reality. My son’s daycare called me to tell me my son would not eat his food!
I was disappointed so I knew I had to improvise and customize the meals to what he would actually like and eat. I started making his lunches with toddler-friendly ingredients and lo and behold, my little one not only devoured his lunches but also asked for seconds! It was a lightbulb moment for me, realizing that sometimes, it’s better to keep it simple when it comes to pleasing those tiny taste buds.
Having gone through this experience, I want to help you avoid similar lunch disasters and plan easy toddler-approved meals that you can prep in minutes!
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23 Amazing Daycare Lunch Ideas Your Kids Will Love
If you’re ready to whip up lunches that will have your kids excited to eat, check out the below list for fun, easy, and delicious meal ideas.
Finger Foods for Picky Eaters
There’s nothing worse than tackling mealtime with a picky eater. One minute you think you’ve found a dish they like, the next they are refusing to even look at it- leaving you back at square one.
Finger foods are great options for picky eaters. They give your toddler control over what to eat and how much to eat.
A quick note on finger foods: for sandwiches, opt for soft bread and fillings that won’t make the sandwich soggy, such as cream cheese or peanut butter. It’s also best to avoid lunch meat with high sodium content. Finally, avoid packing potential choking hazards like hot dogs or whole grapes.
Here’s some ideas for yummy nutritious finger foods that even the pickiest of eaters won’t be able to resist. They’re also easy to make so you can get packed up and ready to go quickly for daycare drop-off:
1. Whole Wheat Pita Roll-Ups with Tomato Sauce
Spread tomato sauce on a whole wheat pita, sprinkle with cheese and your kid’s favorite veggies, then roll it up for a tasty and nutritious twist on pizza.
2. English Muffin Sandwiches with Honey and Hard-Boiled Eggs
Toasted English muffins spread with a touch of honey and topped with slices of hard-boiled eggs make a heavenly combination that is both sweet and savory.
3. Hummus Sandwiches on Soft Bread
Smooth and creamy hummus spread on soft, whole-grain bread is a simple yet delicious way to sneak in some protein and fiber. Add thinly sliced cucumbers or carrots for extra crunch.
4. Chicken Salad with Crackers and Apple Slices
A scoop of homemade chicken salad paired with whole-grain crackers and crisp apple slices provides a balanced and satisfying meal that’s easy for little hands to manage.
5. Store-Bought (or Homemade!) Chicken Nuggets
A perennial favorite, chicken nuggets can be a healthier option when baked and paired with a side of fresh veggies or fruit. Opt for organic or make your own for an even better choice.
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Cold Meal Ideas for Daycare Lunches
If you’re tired of the same old sandwich routine, try these healthy and easy cold meal ideas for your toddler’s daycare lunchbox. Don’t forget to include ice packs in their lunchbox to keep the food cold.
6. Pesto Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella Balls
A delicious and nutritious option is a pesto pasta salad. Cook some whole grain pasta and toss it in homemade or store-bought pesto sauce. Add halved cherry tomatoes and small mozzarella balls to the mix. This dish is perfect for those balmy summer days since it can be served chilled.
7. Cheese and Cracker Plates
Pack an assortment of cubed cheese, whole grain crackers, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber slices for an easy-to-assemble lunch option. This is a great way to add some protein and fiber to your child’s lunch while keeping it fun and interactive.
8. Greek Yogurt Parfait
Layer Greek yogurt with granola and fresh berries in a small container. This sweet and healthy option is packed with protein and can be customized with your child’s favorite fruits and toppings.
Fruits and Veggie Ideas
Looking for ways to incorporate more fruits and veggies into your child’s daycare lunch? Here are some ways you can add some nutrients and fiber into your child’s diet while keeping things interesting.
9. Dr. Praeger’s Broccoli Littles with Fruit
These veggie-packed bites are fun to eat and easy to love. Pair them with a side of fresh fruit like berries or sliced bananas for a balanced snack or lunch.
10. Veggie Muffins Paired with Mandarin Oranges and Grapes
Whip up a batch of veggie muffins and serve with sweet mandarin oranges and juicy grapes for a wholesome, kid-friendly treat. This veggie muffins recipe is packed with broccoli and carrots to provide essential nutrients for healthy growth. Or try this recipe for delicious muffins that combine spinach with bananas, creating a nutrient-packed treat that even picky eaters will enjoy.
11. Whole-Grain Tortillas with Shredded Chicken and Veggies
Fill whole-grain tortillas with shredded chicken, cheese, and a mix of colorful veggies. Roll them up for a healthy, portable meal that’s perfect for tiny hands.
12. Carrot Sticks Dipped in Hummus or Cream Cheese
Pairing veggies with tasty dips like hummus or cream cheese can make them more appealing to kids. Add some extra nutrients to your toddler’s daycare lunch by cutting carrot sticks thinly, and pairing with hummus or cream cheese for a tasty snack that your kids will love.
13. Steamed Carrots Mixed into Leftover Rice
Repurpose leftover rice from dinner as part of your toddler’s lunch. Mix in steamed carrots with the leftover rice and add shredded cheese on top for extra flavor. The combination of textures makes this dish enjoyable for young kids while also providing a filling meal option.
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Hacks to Get Kids Excited About Eating Fruits and Veggies at Lunch
Getting kids excited about fruits and veggies is no easy feat, but here are some hacks to make them fun and appealing.
14. Use Small Containers
One thing that works well for my kids is cutting up their favorite fruit in small containers to keep them fresh and prevent bruising.
15. Incorporate Colorful Veggies
Add some color to their lunchbox and mix a variety of colorful veggies like shredded carrots, carrot sticks, or cucumber slices for added nutrients.
16. Make Them Bite-sized
Opt for cherry tomatoes that are cut in half cup portions or small, easy-to-grab pieces of fruit like apple slices or berries.
17. Mix Them into a Pasta Sauce
Carrots and peppers blend well into pasta sauce and your kids will never tell! You can also combine cooked pasta with basil pesto sauce, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese for a tasty and hearty lunch option.
18. Create Fun Shapes
I use these cookie cutters to create fun shapes out of fruits and veggies like watermelon stars, cucumber hearts, or bell pepper flowers, to make them more enticing for my kids.
19. Add Them onto Skewers
Skewer bite-sized pieces of your child’s favorite fruit on a wooden stick for a fun and healthy snack. This is a great way to get your child excited about eating fruit and to add some variety to their lunchbox. These skewers are a good, daycare-friendly option for kids.
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Tips for Packing Lunches for Daycare
20. Choose a Suitable Lunchbox
Invest in a high-quality lunch box designed to keep food cold and fresh throughout the day. Look for ones with built-in ice packs, insulated compartments, or separate sections for different types of food. This will help maintain proper temperatures and prevent any potential cross-contamination between items.
Some of my faves that meet these criteria:
21. Create a Weekly Lunch Menu
To ensure variety and balance, create a weekly lunch menu. For example, on Mondays, you pack hummus sandwiches and grapes, Tuesdays are veggie muffins and oranges, etc.
You can also make your life easier by creating a weekly shopping list based on your planned lunch ideas and purchase ingredients during your regular grocery store trips. There are excellent grocery and meal-planning apps that make saving recipes and creating shopping lists a breeze.
22. Prep Food Items in Advance
Save time by preparing some items for your toddler’s lunch the night before, such as boiling eggs, cutting up cheese cubes, or mixing ingredients for a chicken salad. Just be mindful of foods like apples or avocado that may turn brown if prepared too early.
Consider packing all family members’ lunches together since toddlers can often eat many of the same foods as adults – just ensure they are chopped into smaller pieces.
23. Meet Daycare Center Guidelines
Make sure any foods sent with your child comply with the daycare center’s rules regarding allergens while also keeping in mind that some centers may have specific requirements around types of food allowed on-site.
Before you start packing, it’s a good idea to check the Adult Care Food Program (ACFP) regulations to ensure your child’s daycare follows them closely. This will help you pack lunches that meet the criteria for appropriate portion sizes and balanced nutrients.
Finally, communicate openly with your child’s caregivers about their eating habits and preferences so they can help encourage your child to try new foods while at daycare.
Conclusion
The daycare lunch ideas above are all aimed at the goal of trying to get your potentially picky eater to enjoy a variety of nutritious foods, making mealtime a fun and stress-free experience.
Try finger foods like pita roll-ups and mini sandwiches, or sneak in some fruits and veggies with muffin recipes or fruit skewers. If your kiddo prefers colder options, yogurt parfaits make delicious lunch treats.
And don’t hesitate to get creative and play around with cookie-cutters and other ways of making your kid’s daycare lunch more exciting. Because who says healthy can’t be deliciously playful?!
Hi I’m Yesenia,
a working mom of two kids. I’ve experienced all of the beautiful and crazy moments of early parenthood: breastfeeding, picky eaters, toilet training, balancing work with kids, and the list continues!
I created Hard Knock Mama to help working moms navigate through their child’s early years and find a successful balance in their home, work, and life.
