Child Care Lunch Ideas for Toddlers
Daycare Lunch Ideas for Toddlers
It’s back to school time again, and you want to make sure your toddler is getting the right lunch for their trip to daycare. Something delicious, nutritious and fun for them to eat. So how can parents make sure little ones are getting all they need at lunchtime? Let’s take a look at some helpful tips and recipes.
Lunch Prepped and Ready
Prepping your meals ahead of time makes it easy to grab and go all week long. Portion out their yummy, healthy faves into containers, making sure any fresh produce is washed and stored airtight. Some daycares and pre-schools recommend that packed lunches include a milk, meat or meat equivalent, fruits, vegetables, and grains. This way, your child can just open and enjoy at lunchtime.
Daycare Diet Dos and Don’ts
A few things to keep in mind when packing lunch for your little one:
- Don’t send a new food they haven’t tried. Experiment at home first to make sure they like it, avoiding any negative reaction.
- Do make sure all foods are easy to chew, with portions they can handle.
- Don’t send foods that are associated with common allergies (such as nuts), just in case a lunch buddy at school is allergic.
- Do keep track of how they’re eating at school, so you can adjust options and portion sizes accordingly.
Child Care Lunch Box Ideas
Kebab Lunch Box
These cool kebabs are a great sandwich alternative. The kids will love this tasty creation, and it can be made and prepared in advance.
Waffle PB&J Lunch Box
Waffles make the perfect swap for sandwich bread and are sure to be kid-approved. Pack this meal for a fun back to school lunch or serve for an easy meal.
Broccoli Pesto Pasta Lunch Box
Switch up your kids’ lunches for this pasta-filled lunch that will have them excited to eat.
Mediterranean Lunch Box
This prep-ahead lunch is great for kids or adults. Creamy hummus, veggies and pita make for a fulfilling meal that’s packed with fresh ingredients.
Cheese Tortellini Lunch Box Dippers
Who said lunch can’t be fun? Step up your recipe game with cheesy tortellini and marinara dipping sauce.
Peanut Butter Banana Roll Ups Lunch Box
This sweet-and-savory school lunch takes just a few minutes to prepare and can easily be made the night before.
Kebab Lunch Box
These cool kebabs are a great sandwich alternative. The kids will love this tasty creation, and it can be made and prepared in advance.
Waffle PB&J Lunch Box
Waffles make the perfect swap for sandwich bread and are sure to be kid-approved. Pack this meal for a fun back to school lunch or serve for an easy meal.
Daycare Lunch Menu
If you often find yourself searching in the pantry or fridge to see how you can elevate your toddlers meals, replace frozen meals, or provide something besides fast food chicken nuggets, we’ve gathered some easy meals that will toddlers might keep asking for.
Nut-free Snacks & Meals
Here are some of our favorite nut-free options. Visit our guide for tips on how to navigate food allergies at school.
Nut-free Snack & Lunch Ideas
More Easy Meal Inspiration
For more back-to-school meal ideas, visit our blog page. For more busy weeknight dinner ideas, visit our meal planning page.