Lunchbox Lab: Kid-Friendly Lunch Ideas with Taylor Farms
It’s back-to-school time again, and whether you love them or hate them, that means school lunches. We’ve all fallen into a rut now and then, packing the same sandwich and chips every day. But the Lunchbox Lab is coming to the rescue with some fun school lunch ideas using Taylor Farms products as easy starting points.
Shake up lunchtime by mixing and matching Taylor Farms snack or vegetable trays and mini salad kits with fruit, dairy, and protein options. You can even get kids helping out with lunch prep. Read on for some ideas to get you started!
The Lunchbox Lab Formula
Turning your kitchen into a Lunchbox Lab is easy! All you need is one of our popular Grab N Go Snack Packs, Vegetable Trays, or Mini Chopped Salad Kits. Add 1 favorite protein or dairy pairing + 1 fruit or whole-grain side, and you’ve got a well-rounded lunch that’s a total game-changer from the usual lunchbox snacks.
Filling lunchboxes should be way easier than it usually is. This way, most of the hard work is taken care of: our Grab N Go products are already filled with a variety of nutritious ingredients, vibrant colors, and kid-friendly bites. Plus, everything is prewashed and portioned. All you need to do is add your personal touches and some of your kid’s favorite side items to have a hit every time.
5 Kid-Friendly Lunch Builds
Here are five lunchbox ideas to jumpstart your Lunchbox Lab:
1. Veggies & Cheese Snack Pack + Crackers + Fruit
Start with our Veggies & Cheese Snack Pack. Crunchy baby carrots and celery sticks are perfect for dipping in the included creamy Hidden Valley Ranch dip. Bite-sized cheddar cheese slices add protein and calcium. They also go great on your favorite cracker. Round out lunch with an apple or blueberries.
2. Vegetable Tray + Hummus + Pita Wedges
Plan for multiple lunches with a full vegetable tray. The Vegetable Tray with Turkey and Cheese comes with turkey sausage bites, Colby-Jack cheese cubes, a selection of fresh, crunchy vegetables, and Hidden Valley Ranch dipping sauce. Double down on dipping options with creamy, nutritious hummus. Cut a slice of pita bread into dippable wedges or mini sandwiches. (Bonus: set out the veggie tray when they get home from school so they can nibble on healthier snacks before dinner.)
3. Minions Pop’n Caesar Mini Kit + Chicken Strips or Hard-Boiled Eggs
Everybody’s favorite Minions put a fun spin on the classic Caesar with this Mini Chopped Salad Kit. Half-popped popcorn bites add a movie-inspired touch to crisp romaine and creamy Caesar dressing, all in an individual serving size. Give it a protein boost with grilled chicken strips, or hard-boil several eggs ahead of time for a quick salad that keeps kids going strong all day. They can eat it right out of the bag.
4. Veggies and Guacamole Snack Pack + Cheese + Whole-Grain Pretzels
There’s one dip everyone can agree on: guacamole! The Veggies and Guacamole Snack Pack features delicious, nutrient-filled guac paired with a variety of dipping veggies: crisp celery, crinkle-cut carrot chips, and radish chips. Throw in some whole-grain pretzels for extra dipping and cheese slices to round out this lunch.
5. Taco Ranch Mini Kit + Fruit + Protein or Dairy
If your kid loves tacos (and who doesn’t?), but they’re not quite sure about salad yet, introduce them to the Taco Ranch Mini Chopped Salad Kit. Crisp romaine, red cabbage, and carrots deliver plenty of crunch and nutrition with corn chips and a little chipotle-spiced ranch dressing to make lunch a fiesta. Mix in your favorite sliced lunch meat or chicken breast for protein. Or keep things vegetarian with a side of yogurt or mixed nuts. Add an apple, pear, or some berries for a sweet, vitamin-packed finish.
Build off these salad kit and snack tray ideas to keep lunches fun and healthy without a lot of effort.
Let Kids Help Build the Box
The Lunchbox Lab is also great for getting kids excited to help pack their lunch—while sneaking in some conversations about what goes into a balanced meal. Let your child pitch in by picking their favorite fruit or cheese. Kids love modern bento-box-inspired compartment lunchboxes, so allow them to portion crackers or arrange components for a more nutrient-dense, interactive alternative to Lunchables®-style snack kits.
Easy Lunchbox Packing Tips
The Lunchbox Lab is all about making exciting school lunches easier. So try these tricks to streamline your lunch-packing routine.
Prep a Few Components Ahead of Time
Slicing pita wedges? Do the whole bag at once. You can freeze the rest to keep them fresh and move a portion to the fridge to thaw overnight. Hard-boil several eggs for the week and mark the shells to avoid mix-ups. Think about what else you can prep in bulk or portion out in advance.
Rotate Familiar Favorites
The Lunchbox Lab isn’t about replacing your kid’s lunchtime go-to’s. It’s about using Taylor Farms kits as a foundation to build on. You don’t have to leave fruit snacks behind forever; just have them start with some carrot chips first.
Keep cold packs handy
Keep a few cold packs in your freezer in case you forgot to put yesterday’s in there to chill. Our Grab N Go trays and salad kits contain fresh produce, dips, and dressings, so you’ll want to keep them cool until the lunch bell rings. Insulated lunch bags are also helpful.
Adjust Portions to Your Child’s Appetite
Just because our Grab N Go products are sized for individual meals doesn’t mean they can’t be a couple of kids’ lunches. Reusable bento boxes and containers let you portion out Snack Trays and Mini Salad Kits to fit your kid’s appetite. This prevents food waste and checks another lunch off this week’s to-do list.
Build Your Next Lunchbox with Taylor Farms
We’ve given you a few ideas for bento box lunches. Now it’s your (and your kid’s) turn to run with them and get ready for back-to-school lunches! Explore our Snacks, Mini Chopped Salad Kits, and Vegetable Trays to get started. Or browse in person at your nearest Taylor Farms retailer.
