If you’re looking to expand the lunches options you make for your kids, these easy sandwiches for kids work for both little and big kids. These are great kids lunches for home—or packed for school or daycare.
Simple, quick, and nutritious lunches are always my goal, which means having a range of sandwiches for kids to turn to makes the midday meal SO much easier.
And while there’s nothing wrong with a classic, simple peanut butter (or sunflower seed butter) and jelly or turkey sandwich, if you’re looking for other options or simple ways to change those up, these ideas will help. In all of my lunch ideas for kids, these are the easy ones we turn to again and again!
All of these sandwiches for kids can be served to little and big kids—younger kids may need some adjustments made—and each is a simple lunch idea to make it easier for you to feed everyone.
Try these as packed lunch ideas, as toddler lunches for daycare, or as 5-minute homemade lunch ideas.
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How to Make a Sandwich for Kids
A regular sandwich can be a complicated mix of textures for toddlers, so have patience while they learn to eat and chew and consider ways to make it easier for them to eat their lunch. Here are some tips to consider.
- Think deconstructing the elements, dicing the sandwich up small, making sure the bread is thin, soft, and easy to chew, and offering a drink so they have enough moisture in their mouth.
- You can use whole grain bread (like Dave’s Killer Bread, Food for Life, bakery fresh whole-grain bread, or homemade bread), whole-grain rolls, pita bread, flatbread, lavash, or tortillas.
- I try to use whole grains when possible, though your kids may prefer white flour and find those products easier to chew (as they tend to be softer). Try a few different options to see what works best for your kids and feel free to mix it up each week to offer a range of nutrients and textures.
- Add fresh fruit, an applesauce pouch, canned fruit cup (in 100% juice), easy veggies for lunch, milk, and/or water to any lunch to round it out.
TIP: Adjust portions as indicated by the hunger of your child. There’s no one right portion size!
Easy Sandwich Recipes
1. Make-Ahead Uncrustables
If your kids love PB&J (or sunflower seed butter and jelly), you can make a few of these ahead, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and stash in a freezer bag in the freezer to quickly pull out and pack in a lunchbox. To serve at home, simply let sit out at room temperature for about an hour—or take it out of the freezer in the morning and it will be perfect come lunch. Read the full info on Homemade Uncrustables, with more options for fillings!
2. Crispy Chicken Club
Bake up frozen chicken tenders (store bought from a brand like Applegate or baked Chicken Tenders) and place onto lollipop sticks with bread cubes and lettuce for a fun (and still easy) take on a chicken club.
3. Hummus Roll Ups
Spread a thin layer of hummus on a whole grain or flour tortilla (corn is likely not a good option since they tend to crumble more easily). Add a slice of cheese if you’d like. Roll up and slice into spirals. You can add lettuce or shredded cheese if you prefer.
4. Sunbutter and Banana Roll Ups
Spread a thin layer of sunflower seed butter on a whole grain or flour tortilla. Place a banana on one side and roll up into “banana sushi.” Slice into spirals and serve. Add some jam if your kids prefer additional sweetness.
5. Chia Jam and Sunbutter
Spread whole grain bread with Blueberry Chia Jam (which is lower in sugar and packed with healthy fats) and Sunbutter for a nut-safe option to classic PB&J. I like this since it’s filling, naturally sweet and flavorful.
6. Jam Sandwich
My kids go through phases of not liking nut or seed butter but they always love jam. And sometimes a jam sandwich hits the mark. Add some protein in the form of milk or cheese to round out the meal.
7. Spinach Grilled Cheese
Upgrade classic grilled cheese with this iron-packed version that makes green food fun. Add a side of sliced apples or applesauce and easy veggies for lunch.
8. Veggie Grilled Cheese
Spread a thin layer of sweet potato puree on bread as you assemble a grilled cheese for a hint of natural sweetness and vitamins.
9. Deconstructed Turkey and Cheese Sandwich
Little kids may not be able to bite and chew an assembled turkey sandwich (there are a lot of textures in there!), but you can simply dice the components up and serve them side by side. Easy peasy!
10. Deconstructed Ham Sandwich
The same thing as above applies with ham (or ham and cheese). Add some mustard, mayo, or even guacamole for dipping if you’d like.
11. Avocado Egg Salad
Packed with healthy fats and protein, this version of egg salad uses avocado instead of mayo. Pair it with whole grain bread and fruit for a simple kids lunch. See below for the full recipe.
12. Hard-Cooked Egg Pita
Cut a whole grain pita in half and add sliced hard cooked eggs (or egg salad!). Add shredded lettuce or carrots if desired. As an assembled sandwich, this is better for other kids. Served deconstructed, it can work for one year olds, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Really it’s up to you, but if you’re looking for a lower sugar option, you’ll need to read the label if buying one from the store. I prefer to avoid artificial sweetener and look for jams that are made mostly with fruit. Smuckers has one that’s sweetened with honey which has good flavor. Apple butter is often free from added sugars and has great flavor. You can also make Blueberry Chia Jam in a short amount of time without a lot of added sugar too.
I prefer to find lower sodium and nitrate-free lunch meat if possible from brands like Organic Valley or Applegate. Or the store brands at Trader Joes and Whole Foods are nice options too. Or meat that’s been roasted in house in a store. For younger kids, dice or cut the lunchmeat into smaller pieces to make sure it’s easy to chew.
Best Tips for Success
- Consider deconstructing elements to make sandwiches easier to eat.
- Be sure to offer a drink so they have enough moisture in their mouth.
- You can use whole-grain bread (like Dave’s Killer Bread, Food for Life, bakery fresh whole-grain bread, or homemade bread), whole grain rolls, pita bread, flatbread, lavash, or tortillas.
- I try to use whole grains when possible, though your kids may prefer white flour and find those products easier to chew (as they tend to be softer).
- Try a few different bread options to see what works best for your kids.
- Mix up sandwiches each week to offer a range of nutrients and textures if your kids like that.
- Try foods at home before you pack it in a kids lunch box for daycare, preschool, or school.
Related Posts
I’d love to hear your feedback on this post and the ideas, especially if you h ave a sandwich idea to share!
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Peel the eggs and roughly chop. Add to a small bowl and scoop out the avocado. Mash with a fork to create the texture of classic egg salad.
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Sprinkle with salt if desired and stir. Add sesame seeds or Everything Bagel Seasoning if desired.
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Serve alongside bread cubes, spread onto breadsticks, or spread into a sandwich.
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If making ahead, stir in about a tablespoon of lemon juice to help prevent the avocado from browning.
- Crispy Chicken Club: Bake up frozen chicken tenders and place onto lollipop sticks with bread cubes and lettuce for a fun (and still easy) take on a chicken club.
- Make-Ahead PB&J: If your kids love PB&J (or sunflower seed butter and jelly), you can make a few ahead, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and stash in a freezer bag in the freezer to quickly pull out and pack in a lunchbox.
- Hummus Roll Ups: Spread a thin layer of hummus on a whole grain or flour tortilla (corn is likely not a good option since they tend to crumble more easily). Add a slice of cheese if you’d like. Roll up and slice into spirals. You can add lettuce or shredded cheese if you prefer.
- Sunbutter and Banana Roll Ups: Spread a thin layer of sunflower seed butter on a whole grain or flour tortilla. Place a banana on one side and roll up. Slice into spirals and serve. Add some jam if your kids prefer additional sweetness.
- Chia Jam and Sunbutter: Spread whole-grain bread with Blueberry Chia Jam (which is lower in sugar and packed with healthy fats) and sunbutter.
- Jam Sandwich: Sometimes a jam sandwich hits the mark. Add some protein in the form of milk or cheese to round out the meal.
- Spinach Grilled Cheese: Upgrade classic grilled cheese with this iron-packed version that makes green food fun. Add a side of applesauce and easy veggies for lunch.
- Sweet Potato Grilled Cheese: Spread a thin layer of sweet potato puree on bread as you assemble a grilled cheese for extra nutrition.
- Deconstructed Turkey and Cheese Sandwich: Simply dice the components up and serve them side by side. Easy peasy!
- Deconstructed Ham Sandwich: The same thing as above applies with ham. Add some mustard, mayo, or even guacamole for dipping if you’d like.
- Hard-Cooked Egg Pita: Halve a whole grain pita and add sliced hard cooked eggs (or egg salad!). Add shredded lettuce or carrots if desired.
Calories: 276kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 10g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 12g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 187mg, Sodium: 142mg, Potassium: 576mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 407IU, Vitamin C: 10mg, Calcium: 56mg, Iron: 2mg
This post was first published August 2020.