Back-to-School Children's Lunch Sandwich Ideas

Aug 16, 2011
Allison Brown

Involve the children in preparing school lunches. - Allison Brown

Kids' lunch boxes should be filled with nutritious, yet delicious, food choices. Learn how to prepare various lunch sandwiches to pack in the lunch boxes.

Five days a week, parents scramble to decide what to put into their child's lunch box. Every parent wants to pack something healthy, but sometimes it is easy just to throw in junk food. Not that anything is wrong with some junk food, but it is vitally important that children get the nutrition needed for adequate learning and focus. Like adults, children get bored with the same food. It is not a bad thing to put the same sandwich in the box twice a week, but a child is more likely to waste it if he or she finds it in the lunch box. Here are some easy children's lunch sandwich ideas to make lunchtime healthier and food that's anything but boring.

All of these meals are much healthier than many store-bought, pre-made meals. For parents with small children, the children can get involved by helping to prepare the lunch. They will enjoy creating the meal and are more likely to get excited about eating it.

Ham Rolls with Vegetables, Dip and Sugar Chocolate-Coated Cereal

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients:

2 sweet rolls
2 tablespoons honey mustard
Sliced cooked or deli ham
Ranch dressing
Baby carrots, sliced celery, broccoli or cauliflower
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 cup rice squares cereal
1/2 cup corn squares cereal
1 tablespoon sugar

Directions:

Cut both rolls in half. Spread 1 tablespoon honey mustard on each roll. Place sliced ham between the cut pieces, wrap or seal in plastic bag and place in lunch box. Place ranch dressing in a resealable container, alongside vegetable or vegetables of choice.
Melt chocolate chips and butter in microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
Place rice and corn squares cereal in the bowl with the melted chocolate mixture. Sprinkle with sugar and toss to coat. Place mixture in a resealable plastic bag. This can be prepared in advance and refrigerated until ready to pack in the lunch box.

Chicken Wrap with Honey, Graham Crackers, and Fruit

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients:

1 spinach, tomato, or whole-wheat tortilla wrap
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
4 tablespoons honey
Prepackaged grilled chicken strips
Cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon, cubed or cut small enough to fit into resealable bowl
Graham crackers

Directions:

Warm the tortilla and cheese for 30-40 seconds. Remove from microwave and drizzle honey over the cheese, reserving about 1/2 tablespoon honey. Place chicken on the tortilla and wrap. Roll bottom to top. Spread the remaining honey on the inside to seal and a little on the outside, if desired. Cut in half and place in a resealable bag or container.
Mix 1/4 cup each of cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon in a resealable container,

Ham and Cheese Sandwich Thins with Homemade Potato Chips and Apple Slices

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients:

1 wheat or multi-grain sandwich bread, sliced thinly
1 slice white or yellow American cheese
2 slices deli ham
1 tablespoon honey mustard
1 potato, washed and thinly sliced
2 cups vegetable oil
Coarse salt, to taste
1 Red or Golden Delicious apple, sliced
Juice of 1 lemon

Place cheese and ham on bottom slice of sandwich bread. Spread 1 tablespoon of honey mustard on the top slice and place onto the meat. Cut sandwich in half and place in a sandwich container.
Wash and slice potato. Place two paper towels on a plate and set aside. In a large saucpean, heat vegetable oil to 350 degrees F. Place potato slices slowly into the oil; fry potato slices for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the potatoes from the oil and place them on top of the paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle salt on chips and let cool before placing in a plastic bag.
Slice apple. Squeeze some lemon juice on the apple slices and place in a plastic bag.

Chicken or Turkey Pita With White Grapes and Cookie Sandwiches

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients:

1/4 cup packaged precooked chicken or turkey strips
4 cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1/2 cup shredded lettuce
2 tablespoons grated cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons Italian dressing
1 pita bread pocket
1 cup white grapes
6 vanilla-flavored wafers
3 tablespoons whipped cream
2 tablespoons rainbow-colored sprinkles

Directions:

In a small mixing bowl, toss chicken or turkey strips, cherry tomatoes, shredded lettuce, grated cheese and Italian dressing. Fill the pita pocket with the meat and vegetable mixture and place in a container.
Spread 3 tablespoons of whipped cream over the bottoms of 3 vanilla-flavored wafers (1 tablespoon on each wafer). Sprinkle with rainbow sprinkles and top each with a second wafer.

Pepperoni Pizza Pita with Ranch Potato Salad and Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients:

1/2 cup shredded lettuce (optional)
Pepperoni slices
1/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese
3 tablespoons homemade or prepared tomato sauce
1 wheat pita bread pocket
Coarse salt, to taste, plus more for cooking potatoes
1/2 pound red potatoes, washed and cubed
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup ranch dressing
2 tablespoons fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
3 tablespoons grated cheddar cheese
2 homemade or store-bought chocolate chip cookies

Directions:

Place lettuce, pepperoni, mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce inside pita pocket. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, or until cheese is melted. Place in a sandwich container.
Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Place potatoes in a large saucepan and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Add some salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat, simmer for 10 minutes or until the cubes soften. Drain potatoes and cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Place potatoes in a small mixing bowl. Toss ranch dressing, parsle and cheddar cheese in with the potatoes until mixed. Place in a resealable plastic container.

Allison Brown - My name is Allison. I have a degree in History and Political Science from Chaminade University, located on the beautiful Hawaiian island ...