Hi Friends! Do we have a treat for you? My dear friend Ellen Johnson has put together 11 of the most adorable, healthy, creative, delicious and FUN home lunch ideas you’ll ever see! She taught a class for some ladies in our neighborhood and we were all speechless at how cute these ideas are. Not many of us, besides Ellen, would make lunches to this caliber every day, but use some of these ideas as a spring board for your children’s lunches. Let’s be serious, what adult wouldn’t love these lunches too?
Ellen uses a few, inexpensive tools to help make these lunches EXTRA fun! Best part about these tools are you buy them once and you are set for many years to come. I have linked them to Amazon so you can quickly add them to your cart if you’re interested. I think it’s these small details that will really ‘wow’ your kiddos. 
Keep all of these pictures of the lunches on a small key ring so your children can look through their options and decide which ones they would like each week. You can then use Deals to Meals to help you know where the best prices are on all of your lunch favorites. Here is the link for the wallet sized images to be printed.
Not all bento boxes are created equal. Pull up bento boxes and Amazon and you’ll get lost in the pages of options. We have simplified your search to some of the highest rated and inexpensive options for your family. Ellen has high taste, but she has used her Planet Box trays for all of her children and they are still awesome. They also come with a carrying case which is great. However, choose the bento box that works best for your budget and children. Below are some options from $9.99-$79.95.
Highest quality and Ellen’s favorite: Planet Box Rover Bento Box $79.95 (will last you forever and has a carrying case!)
Under $30 Option: Bentgo Kids Children’s Lunchboxes and Container $27.99
Under $20 Option: Fit and Fresh Bento Box $19.99
Under $10 Option: Bentgo Kids Tray with Lid $9.99
#1 Penguin & Peanut Butter Palooza
Whole carrots cut into penguin shapes with these 6 piece animal vegetable cutters, ranch died with blue food coloring and put into these 2 oz. disposable food containers (comes in a 125 pk. which is awesome), veggie straws, strawberries drizzled with chocolate and sprinkles, small treat and a peanut butter honey sandwich punched with these heart shape cutters.
#2 Heavenly Hummus
Hummus cups, sliced carrots and celery, small treat, candied nuts, fresh fruit and pita bread cut into strips.
#3: Greek Chicken and Tzatziki
Grilled or boiled chicken cut into slices, feta cheese, cut up cucumbers, pita bread slices, Tzatziki sauce, grape tomatoes, small treat.
#4 Chicken Salad Wraps
Chicken Salad Sandwiches or Wraps, banana written on with edible markers, small treat, clementines, veggie chips.
#5 Sushi
Wrapped Sushi Rolls (buy the seaweed wraps, microwave some sticky rice, add sliced cucumbers, cream cheese and roll up. Dip in wasabi, soy sauce and ginger. Add some Asian candies, treats or Hi-Chews.
#6 Tortellini Extravaganza
Boiled and cooked tortellini or ravioli (Costco’s is great), sliced basil, shredded cheese, pepper shapes (cut with these 5 shape kit for $5.95), marinara sauce in disposable container, fresh broccoli, fruit, pita bread strips and small treat.
#7 Children’s ‘Beary’ Favorite
Peanut Butter and jam sandwich punched with this cute bear design, pirates bootie (healthier than chips), Peanut Butter Protein Balls, fresh fruit or veggies and small treat.
#8 Harvest Happy Meal
Mickey Mouse Veggie Chips, boiled egg pressed with Yunko Egg Design Press (set of 6 for $7.99), apple cut in pieces of in half and filled with peanut butter and a gummy worm, fresh fruit and a small treat.
#9 Bruschetta
Crackers or small bruschetta bread, sliced fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, sliced tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and pesto in small containers.
#10 Tic Tac Toe, Here We Go!
Spread some peanut butter and bananas in between two slices of bread. Put them together and cut off the sides and crust. Cut the bread into 9 equal squares. Place some chocolate chips into a ziploc bag and microwave for 30 seconds, until chocolate is melted. Clip off the edge of the bag and drizzle X’s and O’s on the pieces of bread. Add to this lunch a string cheese, popcorn, veggie and fruit died animal crackers and a small treat.
#11 Yogurt Parfait
Greek yogurt mixed with some chia seeds, granola, fresh fruit, small treat.
