30+ Toddler Lunch Ideas (No Reheat Required!) (2024)

Meal planning for toddlers can be, well, overwhelming. Trying to balance and add in nutrition, ensure that all foods are safe, and work with ever-changing preferences from your little one can be tough!

If you’ve been on the search for easy, simple, quick toddler meals that are perfect for taking to daycare and can easily be modified to your little one’s needs, then this list of 30+ Toddler Lunch Ideas is for you! Here’s what you’ll find in this post:

• Toddler Lunch Ideas for 1 Year Old
• Toddler Lunch Ideas for 2 Year Old
• 30+ Toddler Lunch Ideas
• Tips for Toddler Lunches at Daycare
• More Ideas for Toddler Mealtimes

RELATED: 30+ Healthy Toddler Snack Ideas

Toddler Lunch Ideas for 1 Year Old

While most of the lunch ideas listed below are perfect for all toddler ages, the way the meals are sliced and cut are different depending on the child’s age. For 1 year olds, start out by cutting or slicing meat, veggies, and breads into small, bite-sized pieces!

RELATED: Little Spoon Organic Baby Food – My Honest Review

Toddler Lunch Ideas for 2 Year Old

As toddler’s grow, meal ingredients can be sliced and cut into larger pieces. It’s still important to watch them and learn what they can and can’t eat during this stage! These toddler lunch ideas are great for 2 year olds, but may need to be cut or sliced differently depending on where they’re at with eating. Every toddler is different!

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30+ Toddler Lunch Ideas (Easy & Healthy)

1. Turkey & Cheese Sandwiches

Let’s start with the basics: a good turkey and cheese sandwich! This is always a win and go-to for a healthy and easy toddler lunch idea. Pair it with sliced cucumbers and clementines for a yummy meal!

2. Avocado Egg Salad

Make this avocado egg salad in the morning and have it both for yourself and your toddler at lunch. Paired with whole wheat toast and fruit, this makes for a delicious and wholesome toddler meal. No reheating required!

3. Vegan Buckwheat Pancakes

These higher-protein Vegan Buckwheat Pancakes are a great way to add nutrition to your toddler’s lunch. Pair them with a hard boiled egg (or scrambled eggs) for a lunch they won’t resist!

4. Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice

As long as it’s kept cold, this recipe doesn’t have to be reheated and little ones tend to LOVE it! Adjust the recipe to your toddler’s taste buds and pair with fresh fruit for a make-ahead lunch recipe and toddler lunch idea that everyone in the family will love.

5.

You can’t go wrong with rice and beans! Add a whole wheat tortilla (cut into pieces, if necessary) and plain yogurt for an easy, quick toddler lunch.

6. Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole

While this meal is great warmed up, it can also be served cold in your little one’s lunchbox! Make this chicken broccoli pasta casserole the night before and pair it with fresh fruit and veggies.

7. Shredded Barbecue Chicken

Anyone else’s toddler REALLY obsessed with “dipping” sauce? Shredded chicken, a healthy barbecue sauce or a yogurt based ranch dressing, sliced peaches, and sweet potato “fries” (aka roasted sweet potatoes cut into a french fry shape) make for a next level toddler lunch they can be proud of!

8. Easy Protein Waffles Recipe

Your little one will feel like they’re getting a treat for lunch while still getting loads of nutrition! Pair these protein waffles with scrambled eggs and berries for a delicious breakfast for lunch.

9. Creamy Salmon Pasta

This creamy salmon pasta is dairy-free and delicious! Pair this main dish with hummus and soft veggies for an easy toddler lunchbox idea.

10. Grilled Cheese Sandwich

You really can’t ever go wrong with a classic grilled cheese paired with fresh fruit and hummus! So easy and a toddler fave.

11. Greek Yogurt Pancakes

The best pancakes made with plain, high-protein greek yogurt! Pair with scrambled eggs and banana or berries for an easy toddler lunch idea that they’ll love. You can even add extra yogurt on top!

12. Margherita Pita Bread Pizzas

What toddler doesn’t love pizza? These pizzas are incredibly easy to make and perfect for a little one’s lunch box. Pair with hummus and steamed carrots for a yummy toddler meal idea!

13. Turkey and Cheese Wrap

This turkey and cheese wrap is so easy to make! Simply roll it all together in a whole wheat tortilla and cut into slices. You can also add a little hummus to it to help it bind and give it a creamy texture! Serve this wrap with hummus, blueberries, and any veggies you’d like for a healthy toddler lunch idea.

14. Tofu Scramble Vegan Breakfast Bowl

Does your little one have an egg allergy? Try making a tofu scramble instead! Pair the scrambled tofu with roasted or steamed sweet potatoes, cooked quinoa, and fresh avocado (or packaged guacamole to help it last in a daycare lunchbox).

15. Turkey Noodle Soup (Slow Cooker)

This is actually one of my toddler’s FAVORITE lunches! Make this turkey noodle soup ahead of time and then remove the solid pieces from the broth to add to your little one’s lunch box. Pair it with whole wheat crackers and apple slices for a wholesome, simple meal.

16. Egg & Cheese Muffins

If your toddler isn’t a fan of eggs, try “hiding” them in egg and cheese muffins! Pair these muffins with whole wheat toast and berries for a yummy toddler lunchbox idea they will love.

17. Turkey Meatballs

Meatballs are a classic for toddler lunches! These turkey meatballs are wholesome, easy to make, and so tasty. Pair them with a marinara dipping sauce, whole wheat toast, peas, carrots, and even mashed potatoes!

18. Peanut Butter + Jelly

Potentially the most loved lunch by toddlers: PB&J! Make this classic toddler friendly by topping whole wheat toast with creamy peanut butter and sliced fruit. Serve with eggs or hummus and steamed carrots for a delicious toddler lunch idea!

19.

These spinach and cheese quesadillas made with whole wheat tortillas are perfect for your little one! Pair these with cooked beans and homemade guacamole (or packaged guacamole) for a deliciously brilliant toddler lunch idea.

20. Veggie Meatballs

Need to sneak some veggies into your little one’s diet? These vegan meatballs are perfect for making ahead and adding to your toddler’s lunchbox! Pair them with mashed potatoes and green beans for a wholesome, hearty meal.

21. Toddler-Friendly Falafel

Make this falafel recipe ahead of time and serve it with hummus, steamed carrots, cucumbers and pita bread in your toddler’s lunchbox!

22. Protein Overnight Oats

Needing to mix it up? Serve your toddler breakfast for lunch! Add protein with these overnight oats and pair them with yogurt and fruit. These overnight oats are a unique and easy toddler lunch idea for daycare!

23. Healthy Breakfast Tacos

Make these deconstructed breakfast tacos for your toddler’s lunchbox for a meal they all absolutely love!

24. Chicken & Veggies

Keep it simple with cooked, cubed chicken, peas and carrots, hummus, and whole wheat toast. Sometimes simplicity is best!

25. Toddler Muffins

Pair these deliciously healthy toddler muffins with scrambled eggs and soft, roasted potatoes for a toddler lunchbox idea that will become a new favorite!

26.

Mac & Cheese is another toddler lunchbox classic that’s brilliant as a toddler lunch idea! This version is made with butternut squash, which is a great way to sneak in the veggie. This recipe can be paired with shredded chicken and green beans!

27. Toddler Charcuterie

Whole wheat crackers + cheese slices + deli turkey. This toddler classic is perfect for taking to daycare! Pair it with berries and a cookie for a meal they will absolutely LOVE!

28. Spinach Chickpea Bites

Don’t have time to make a lunch? Serve your little one the best of the best with these Spinach Chickpea Bites which can delivered right to your doorstep!

29. Easy Turkey Rice Casserole

This easy make-ahead meal is one the entire family will love! Add it to your toddler’s lunch along with steamed carrots and peas for a yummy, fall-inspired meal.

30. Zucchini Patties

Serve these zucchini patties with hummus and steamed carrots for one of the best healthy toddler lunch ideas!

31. Healthy Shredded Chicken Tacos

Tacos are one of my toddler’s favorite meals! Omit the sriracha in this recipe for a toddler-friendly lunch idea. Pair with a whole wheat tortilla and beans or guacamole!

Tips for Toddler Lunches at Daycare

• Use an insulated lunchbox with cooler packs to keep food cold.
• Pack toddler lunches in a bento box to keep foods separate, if necessary.
• Add in a puree or applesauce packet in case your little one is still hungry!
• Be sure to talk to your little one’s teachers about any allergies or preferences when it comes to mealtimes.

Toddler lunches and mealtimes can be a ton of work and an exhausting thing to plan. But remember: fed is best, and that goes for toddlers as well as babies! You’re doing your best to nourish your little one, and that’s what matters the most. Great job mama – you’ve got this!

More Ideas for Toddler Mealtimes

• Guide To Toddler Mealtimes
• 15 Baby Led Weaning Recipe Ideas

Did you make any of these toddler lunch ideas? Be sure to let us know what you think and tag your photos@jar.of.lemons!