Toddler Lunch Ideas – Meal planning for a toddler can be an exciting yet daunting task.
You want them to eat the best possible foods that are loaded with nutrition, but still taste good enough that they actually enjoy eating it – no small feat!
That’s why it’s important to get creative in the kitchen and give your little one some fun and interesting lunches.
From simple sandwich wraps to bento boxes full of fun flavor, we’ve compiled a list of delicious toddler lunch ideas sure to leave them happy after their lunch time.
Toddler Lunch Ideas:
1. Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Let’s start our list of Toddler Lunch Ideas with our son’s first food, Spaghetti with Meat Sauce. In this easy recipe, the classic spaghetti is fully covered in the tasty meaty sauce, which makes it just too delicious.
Your toddler will love to slurp and twirl the spaghetti!
2. Chicken Meatball Noodle Soup
Your whole family will love this delicious Chicken Meatball Noodle Soup.
Transform your old chicken soup with chicken meatballs, veggies, pasta, and chicken broth. It’s not only super tasty, it’s super healthy too!
A messy toddler meal, but so worth it!
3. Fettuccine Alfredo
This Fettuccine Alfredo will become your toddler’s favorite meal. Hands down the best homemade alfredo sauce that you can whip in just 20 minutes.
Comfort food at it’s finest!
4. Orange Chicken
Orange Chicken is a yummy dish that your kids will love! These juicy chicken bites are made with an easy orange juice based marinade that is too delicious.
Pair it with some rice, noodles, or veggies for a whole meal.
5. Grilled Cheese Tomato Soup
You really can’t go wrong with a classic Grilled Cheese Tomato Soup. The delicious tomato soup topped with melty cheese and croutons are a match made in heaven!
Try our fantastic recipe, and see it instantly become a favorite.
6. Salmon Pasta
This creamy Salmon Pasta is healthy, super delicious and you can whip it up in just half an hour. Flaky salmon, cherry tomatoes and asparagus in a creamy white sauce served over ziti pasta.
Another messy meal for your toddler, but who cares!
7. Loco Moco (Hawaiian Beef Patty with Gravy)
Loco Moco is the perfect one bowl meal for your toddler! Start with white rice and top with a beef patty smothered in gravy. Finish this yummy bowl with a sunny side up egg on top.
Even the fussiest little one should love this recipe.
8. Ground Turkey Pasta Bake
Another kid friendly recipe for you to try is this Ground Turkey Pasta Bake. This easy, healthy meal is made with lean meat, pasta, cheese and veggies that are cooked in delicious tomato sauce.
It’s a perfect meal for your busy weeknights, and the leftovers make a great lunch for your kids.
It’s one of our favorite toddler lunch ideas!
9. Salmon Patties
Give your little ones a healthy treat with these Salmon Patties.
These easy patties are made using canned salmon and other pantry staple ingredients. They are tasty, nutritious, and budget-friendly, so it’s a win-win.
These salmon patties freeze really well, and make for a quick lunch!
10. Pesto Pasta
Pesto Pasta is a super quick lunch when you’re short on time. All you do is add your favorite pesto to cooked pasta noodles and you’re done!
You can add leftover veggies or meat to make it a healthy and balanced meal.
Your little ones will be asking for “Green Noodles”!
11. Welsh Rarebit
Welsh Rarebit is a glorified version of your favorite open-faced cheese toast. It sounds fancy, but it’s a breeze to make and the cheesy goodness will impress all your kids.
It makes a great lunch, snack, or dinner for your fussy eaters.
12. Easy Chicken Quesadillas
This Easy Chicken Quesadillas recipe makes perfect cheesy, gooey quesadillas in just 20 minutes!
They are super quick to whip up and make perfect leftovers for lunch. Get your little one to help you put them together.
Even the fussiest eater will love this yummy Mexican dish!
13. Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
A great lunch for your pickiest eater is Ham and Cheese Pinwheels. Not only are they yummy and fun to eat, you can get your kids to help make them.
A great lunchbox idea for you kids, or family picnics.
Get the Recipe @ rufflesandrainboots
14. Soft Beef Meatballs For Toddlers
These Soft Beef Meatballs for Toddlers are soft and healthy meatballs that are perfect for your toddler.
Added veggies boost the nutrition, and cooking them in a pasta sauce makes them softer.
Served over pasta, they make a messy but delicious meal for your toddler.
15. Healthy Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich for Toddlers
This Healthy Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich for Toddlers is a nutrition power house that is low in sugar, and filled with fruit and protein.
Using homemade jam and 100% whole wheat bread makes this a super healthy lunch or snack.
This will be one of your all time favorite toddler lunch ideas!
16. Turkey Club Skewer Lunchbox Idea
This Turkey Club Skewer Lunchbox Idea is a miniature-sized sandwich of turkey, bacon, lettuce, avocado, cheese, and tomatoes on a skewer. Pair these skewers with fresh fruits for a healthy delicious lunch.
For a toddler, remove the skewer, pop it all in a bowl and watch them devour it.
Get the Recipe @ familyfreshmeals
17. Broccoli Cheddar Muffins
These Broccoli Cheddar Muffins are irresistible to toddlers, who will gobble them down in no time! The savory cheesy bites are protein and veggie-packed, making them super healthy and delicious.
Another great food to freeze for a super busy day.
18. Easy Mini Pizzas
Pizzas are loved by everyone, and these Easy Mini Pizzas can make your life super easy. They make a popular and fun lunch your kids, or a perfect after school snack.
Your little ones will be thrilled to help top these yummy little pizzas.
19. Grilled Cheese Sandwich
A grilled Cheese Sandwich makes the ultimate toddler lunch. This recipe will help you achieve the most perfect Grilled Cheese Sandwich ever.
Buttery, crispy on the outside and melty cheesy on the inside, they will impress even a two year old!
Tomato soup is the all time favorite side for this yummy sandwich.
Get the Recipe @ natashaskitchen
20. Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels
Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels are another fantastic pinwheel recipe.
Cranberry sauce, cream cheese, turkey, baby spinach, and pecans make these a special treat. Your kids will love learning how to make them.
Leftovers make a great snack anytime. They’re one of our top toddler lunch ideas.
Get the Recipe @ thisfarmgirlcooks
21. Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
Chicken Salad is a creamy and delicious sandwich stuffer that’s also great in pitas, crackers or used as a dip. You can add your own favorite ingredients, and whole wheat bread to make it healthier.
Your toddler will be happy to eat it with a spoon and will have fun smearing it on his favorite crackers.
Get the Recipe @ madetobeamomma
22. Kid-friendly Avocado Toast
Make this Kid-Friendly Avocado Toast, and watch your little ones enjoy every bite of this healthy lunch.
The kids will love helping you cut the bread into fun shapes. Pile avocados and your favorite toppings on the toast, and serve.
This also makes a great snack or dinner served with soup.
23. Ham and Cheese Sliders
Ham and Cheese Sliders make an extremely easy and quick to fix lunch. Any kid will love the yummy cheese and ham on a small soft bun. Add them to a lunch box with chips and fruit.
This toddler lunch idea makes a great dish for a kid’s party or a weekend picnic.
24. Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta
Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta is a delicious one-pot meal that is the ultimate comfort food! It’s a rich and creamy dish that any messy toddler (and the rest of the family) will love to eat.
Peas would be the perfect side dish for your little one.
25. Sheet Pan Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Tenders with Veggies
Sheet Pan Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders with Veggies is a delicious one pan meal. The breaded chicken, perfectly roasted green beans and tomatoes make a great finger food meal for your toddler.
Serve this on a divided kid’s plate and see what they go for first!
Get the Recipe @ cookingclassy
26. Homemade Crispy Baked Fish Sticks
Here’s another great lunch idea for your toddlers. Homemade Crispy Baked Fish Sticks are effortless to make, highly nutritious and super fun to eat. Serve them with your toddler’s favorite dipping sauce.
A great finger food for your little ones.
Get the Recipe @ ambitiouskitchen
27. Turkey Spinach and Cheese Pinwheels
Turkey, Spinach and Cheese Pinwheels are another fun pinwheel dish to make with your kids. These mini pinwheels are a yummy, super nutritious finger food for your little ones.
They’re great for lunch or snacks and will be a favorite in lunch boxes.
Get the Recipe @ damndelicious
28. Sandwich on a Stick
Sandwich on a stick is a fun and easy lunch to make with your kids. This recipe has many variations to try, and there is sure to be one your fussy eater will love.
For a toddler, remove the stick and pop all the yummy bites in a bowl.
Get the Recipe @ twopeasandthierpod
29. Sandwich Sushi Rolls for Kids
Make these Sandwich Sushi Rolls for your kids, and introduce them to the wonderful world of Japanese cooking. They are remarkably easy to make and are a healthy lunch or snack for your kids.
These yummy rolls are a real treat!
30. Mini Corn Dog Muffins
Turn your favorite hot dog into Mini Corn Dog Muffins! These bite-size muffins are super easy to make, and are a great lunch idea for your toddler. Serve them with veggie soup or fruit for added nutrition.
There’re also a fun and yummy snack after school snack!
Get the Recipe @ drizzlemeskinny
31. DIY Cheese and Crackers Lunchables
This DIY Cheese and Crackers Lunchables is easy, healthy and and much tastier than the store bought ones. There’re super convenient and you can customize them to your kids appetite.
A perfect lunch for your picky eater.
Get the Recipe @ familyfreshmeals
32. Ham, Egg, Cheese Quesadillas
Ham, Egg & Cheese Quesadillas is typically a breakfast dish, but leftovers make a great lunch for your toddler. It’s easy to prep and quick to cook, so it could easily be served for any meal of the day.
Another gooey, messy meal that your toddler will love!
Get the Recipe @ damndelicious
33. Sausage Broccoli Pasta
What better than pasta? A One-Pot Sausage Broccoli Pasta! This easy, quick, and super delicious dish is the perfect comfort food for a hungry toddler. In just 20 minutes your hearty lunch meal is ready to eat.
Cut the sausage and brocoli into tiny bite size pieces that your little one will love to pick up and eat.
Get the Recipe @ completelydelicious
34. Veggie Fried Rice
Need to sneak some veggies into your kid’s diet? Veggie Fried Rice is very easy to make, plus it’s a super side dish for fish, meat or beans.
A great one bowl dish for your toddler to practice with a spoon!
Get the Recipe @ dinneratthezoo
35. Mini Sandwich Lunchbox Idea
Your kids will love this Mini Sandwich Lunchbox Idea!
These handy sandwiches are made with a combination of turkey, cheese, lettuce, and mayo packed in a Hawaiian slider roll. Great served with chips and fruit.
These mini sandwiches will become a toddler favorite!
Get the Recipe @ familyfreshmeals
So many yummy and nutritious lunches to feed your little ones! From simple sandwiches to more creative options like pastas and quesadillas, there’s something for everyone.
Check out these other great recipe collections!
Dinner Ideas for Kids
School Lunch Ideas
35 BEST Toddler Lunch Ideas
Looking for new lunches to keep your little one happy? Here's a delicious list of quick, easy and nutritious Toddler Lunch Ideas that are sure to please!
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 3-4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 24oz marinara sauce
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
- salt to taste
- sugar to taste
- 8oz dried spaghetti pasta
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the meat, and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook till there is no more pink.
- Add the garlic and cook another minute or two. Then, stir in sauce and seasonings. Bring it to a low boil, then reduce heat and simmer. If you're in a hurry, simmer for 30 minutes, but for best flavor, simmer at least 2 hours. Towards the end, taste and adjust for salt and sugar.
- Cook the pasta in boiling salted water, to your preferred tenderness. Drain in a colander.
- For serving, you can either plate the pasta, then top it with sauce, or mix everything together in the pan. Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
Get griddling! Try these Blackstone Recipes!
Never miss a recipe!
Join the GypsyPlate mailing list and get easy dinner recipes right in your mailbox. From homestyle comfort food to exotic dishes from around the world.
