Back-To-School Lunchbox Ideas from Kelly Pfeiffer of @eattherainbow_kids) 

Hi there! Kelly here from @eattherainbow_kids! I’m a full-time food photographer, two-time cookbook author, lunchbox expert and mom. I’ve been packing lunches and sharing them online for over a decade (!)...and I’ve learned a few tips and tricks along the way to help parents and caregivers make school lunches healthy, fun, and easy. 

Here are my top lunchbox packing tips for back-to-school season - featuring some of my favorite kid-friendly snacks from Bobo’s. 

1. Try a Color-Themed Meal 

Monochromatic lunchboxes are visually beautiful, fun for kids, and help encourage fruit and veggie variety throughout the week. Rotate your ingredients by color of the rainbow! 

Lunchbox ideas for #redweek: 

• Strawberries 

• Mini sweet peppers 

• Babybel Cheese 

• Bobo’s Strawberry PB&J Oat Snacks

Lunchbox Ideas for #orangeweek: 

• Cantaloupe 

• Carrot sticks 

• Bobo’s PB Chocolate Chip Oat Bites 

This keeps it fresh & exciting, and makes healthy eating more engaging for kids! 

2. Make Eating Easier for Little Hands 

Help your kids maximize their snack time by making everything bite-sized and easy to open. 

• Partially (of fully) peel mandarins 

• Pre-slice fruits and veggies (pro tip: add fun shapes…more on that next!) 

• Pack snack-style lunches that are easy to munch on while chatting with friends 

Lunchbox efficiency = more food eaten! 

3. Add a Bit of Whimsy with Fun Shapes 

Get creative with presentation! Use a crinkle cutter (I’ve been using this one since 2018!) to transform fruits and veggies into fun “fries” or shapes that are more exciting and inviting for kids. Some fruits & veggies that work great for this are: 

• Carrots 

• Apples

• Canaloupe 

• Watermelon 
  

3. Wrap Chopped Salad in Tortilla 

Yes - salad CAN work in a kid’s lunchbox as a well-tolerated (dare I say, even liked?!) added veggie! Chop up salad and roll it up in a tortilla for: 

• Easier eating 

• More uniform texture and flavor 

• A fun finger-food feel 

The smaller pieces mean the flavors in each bite are more uniform, rather than getting a giant mouthful of lettuce. This also helps introduce more veggies into your kid’s meals. I love using Green Goddess-style dressings! Kids tend to enjoy the flavor and it’s a great way to add healthy fats and fiber. 

4. Plan for Early Dinners (If Needed!) 

Sometimes, no matter what you pack, your kiddo will still come home hangry at 4pm. That’s okay! Try an early dinner around 5pm, and then offer a light snack around 8-9pm. 

What’s on this plate? 

• My viral apple quesadillas with BBQ Greek yogurt dip 

• Cherry tomatoes 

• Pretzel chips 

• Bobo’s Strawberry Stuff’d Oat Bites

This combo is fun, satisfying and perfectly portioned. 

Final Thoughts from Kelly

I hope one or more of these ideas will resonate with you & help make your back-to-school lunch packing routine a little easier and a lot more fun! 

Happy lunch packing,
Kelly 

Follow me at @eattherainbow_kids for more healthy lunchbox inspo for kids!