Back-to-school season always hits me like a freight train. One minute it’s popsicles and sprinklers, the next I’m scrambling to fill tiny lunchboxes at 6 a.m. I remember when my son Arjun first started kindergarten. I packed him a meticulously curated lunch—mini sandwicheBack-to-school season always hits me like a freight train. One minute it’s popsicles and sprinklers, the next I’m scrambling to fill tiny lunchboxes at 6 a.m. I remember when my son Arjun first started kindergarten. I packed him a meticulously curated lunch—mini sandwiches, carrot sticks shaped like stars, even a little handwritten note. He brought it all back untouched. Turns out, kids don’t care about bento-box aesthetics. They want flavor, fun, and familiar bites.
So I got smart. I started building lunchboxes around things Arjun actually asked for. This foolproof combo—chicken pinwheels, apple slices, and crunchy chickpea snacks—has become our go-to. It packs well, tastes great cold, and takes under 15 minutes to throw together on a chaotic school morning.
Chicken & Cheese Pinwheels
These wraps are the star of our back-to-school lunchbox for kids. Use your kid’s favorite tortilla and deli meat. I keep it simple: flour tortillas, rotisserie chicken, cream cheese, and a little shredded cheddar. They pair perfectly with these easy and flavorful chicken quesadillas for variety during the week.
Ingredients:
- 2 flour tortillas
- 1/2 cup cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie works!)
- 2 tbsp plain cream cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions:
- Spread cream cheese on the tortilla.
- Layer with chicken and shredded cheddar.
- Roll tightly and slice into 1-inch pinwheels.
They hold together well, especially if you wrap them in parchment. Add a small container of ranch for dipping, and you’ve got a protein-packed main that’s kid-approved.
Sides That Stick I always include sliced apples with a squeeze of lemon juice (to prevent browning) and a handful of roasted chickpeas for crunch. You can swap in grapes, a fruit leather, or even these no-bake oat bites if your kid loves something sweet. Need something more filling? These cottage cheese breakfast basics double as lunchbox fillers.
On cooler days, I switch it up with a Thermos of creamy tomato soup and pack mini grilled cheese dippers. Variety helps, but consistency wins.
Packing Tips:
- Use silicone muffin cups to divide items in the lunchbox
- Freeze juice boxes overnight to double as ice packs
- Let kids help choose one lunchbox item the night before
Creating a back-to-school lunchbox for kids isn’t about being perfect. It’s about making something they’ll actually eat and maybe even smile about. And hey, if that means packing the same thing three days in a row, so be it. If you’re looking to switch things up, our banana chocolate chip cookies make a great surprise dessert.