When you need to pack a lunch that will withstand a hectic day away from school, try one of these kid-friendly field trip lunch ideas, like chicken wraps, peanut butter sandwiches or mini pizzas.
24 School Field Trip Lunch Ideas Kids Will Love
Updated on May 29, 2025
1/24
Cheeseburger Cups
Total Time
30 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a terrific recipe for moms with young kids and busy lives. This simple, inexpensive dish is made with handy ingredients and takes just a short time. Best of all, kids will go crazy for these darling bites! —Jeri Millhouse, Ashland, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 cheeseburger cup: 299 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 910mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 13g protein.
2/24
Peanut Butter, Apple and Raisin Sandwich
Total Time
5 min
Servings
1 serving
From the Recipe Creator:
Tart, sweet and crunchy, these open-faced sammies are a perfect after-school (or after-work) snack. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 open-faced sandwich: 220 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 212mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein.
3/24
Ham & Gruyere Mini Quiches
Total Time
50 min
Servings
10 mini quiches
From the Recipe Creator:
When you make this in muffin cups, each person gets a quiche. I have also doubled the recipe and used jumbo muffin cups; bake about 10 minutes longer. —Gena Stout, Ravenden, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 mini quiche: 144 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 112mg cholesterol, 323mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 12g protein.
4/24
Cheesy Quesadillas
Total Time
15 min
Servings
12 pieces
From the Recipe Creator:
We serve these quesadillas as chili dippers or load them up with salsa and sour cream for a super starter. —Terri Keeney, Greeley, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 111 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 203mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
5/24
Peanut Butter Granola Pinwheels
Total Time
10 min
Servings
16 pinwheels
From the Recipe Creator:
I came across this easy and tasty snack while searching online for healthy munchies for kids. Great for after school, it's really quick to make and filling enough to hold the kids until dinner. To satisfy heftier appetites or to serve as a power lunch, cut each tortilla into fewer pieces or provide one per child. The recipe is easy to increase as needed. —Mary Haluch, Ludlow, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 60 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 48mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
6/24
Asian Chicken Rice Bowl
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This super flavorful, nutrient-packed dish makes use of supermarket conveniences like coleslaw mix and rotisserie chicken. This recipe is easily doubled or tripled for large families. —Christianna Gozzi, Asteria, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 429 calories, 15g fat (2g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 616mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 5g fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
Editor’s Tip: Pack the bowl in a throw-away container so your kiddo doesn’t have to carry it around the rest of the day!
7/24
Cranberry Turkey Wraps
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Fruity and flavorful, these hefty grab-and-go handfuls are quick to assemble, easy to handle and low in calories. We often take them in a cooler to the local stock show and eat them in the stands. Everyone seems to love them! —Bobbie Keefer, Byers, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 wrap: 374 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 1477mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 27g protein.
8/24
Rotini Pasta Salad
Total Time
30 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a light meal, we toss rotini pasta with cucumber, zucchini and sweet peppers. Make this cucumber pasta salad into a main dish by adding grilled chicken. —Christine Schenher, Exeter, California
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup (calculated without olives): 142 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 219mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat.
9/24
Fruity Peanut Butter Pitas
Total Time
5 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My kids ask for these pita sandwiches all the time. They haven’t noticed that as good as the pitas taste, they’re good for them too.—Kim Holmes, Emerald Park, Saskatchewan
Nutrition Facts:
1 pita half: 324 calories, 17g fat (4g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 320mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 6g fiber), 12g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 fat, 1 starch, 1 fruit, 1 lean meat.
10/24
PBJ on a Stick
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4 skewers
From the Recipe Creator:
Take the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the go with these skewers. They also make easy snacks. —Sara Martin, Brookfield, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
2 skewers: 415 calories, 14g fat (3g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 368mg sodium, 63g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 7g fiber), 13g protein.
11/24
Lunch Box Pizzas
Total Time
20 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When you have these fun-to-make mini pizzas, it's no challenge finding lunch fare that the kids enjoy. Plus they pack nicely in sandwich bags and travel well, so there's no mess. —Rhonda Cliett, Belton, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 94 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 292mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
12/24
Turkey Salad on Wheat Bread
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When one of my favorite lunch spots closed, this recipe let me hold on to more than just good memories. The peas, bacon and cheese are such a fun and springy combo. I make big batches of the salad for parties—turns out I'm not the only fan! —Merrijane Rice, Kaysville, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 425 calories, 25g fat (5g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 564mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 23g protein.
13/24
Lunch Box Chicken Wrap
Total Time
10 min
Servings
1 serving
From the Recipe Creator:
This lunchbox-friendly wrap is a tasty way to use leftover chicken and get kids to eat more veggies. Using colorful, thin strips of vegetables adds visual interest when the wrap is cut into slices. Suddenly spinach is too pretty to refuse. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 wrap: 324 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 441mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 7g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
14/24
Mediterranean Vegetable Pitas
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Craving a fast and healthy meal? This one packs tomato, cucumber, onion and olives. Add a touch of cayenne for a punch. —Ivy Abbadessa, Loxahatchee, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
2 filled pita halves: 354 calories, 19g fat (4g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 580mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 7g fiber), 9g protein.
15/24
Chicken Avocado Wrap
Total Time
50 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I came up with this chicken avocado wrap while trying to figure out what to make for lunch one day. The recipe is now a favorite at my house. —Shiva Houshidari, Plano, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 wrap: 329 calories, 14g fat (2g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 416mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 2 fat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable.
16/24
Jack-o’-Lantern Sandwiches
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Be prepared for happy faces when you make these eye-catching jack-o'-lanterns. We loaded the sandwiches with flavorful fillings, then easily formed fun pumpkin shapes using cookie cutters. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 357 calories, 18g fat (5g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 1139mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 21g protein.
Editor’s Tip: Make this cute sammie for your child’s trip to the pumpkin patch!
17/24
BLT Wraps
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom and I used to make these easy wrap-ups for summer days at the lake with our entire family. These days, we love to bring them to picnics and days in the park. —Jonnah Burks, Brighton, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 wrap: 409 calories, 25g fat (9g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 689mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 15g protein.
18/24
Pepperoni Pinwheels
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These golden brown rounds from field editor Vikki Rebholz of West Chester, Ohio, have lots of pepperoni flavor. 'They're easy to make, and really good!' says Vikki.
Nutrition Facts:
2 pieces: 122 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 291mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
19/24
Hummus & Veggie Wrap-Up
Total Time
15 min
Servings
1 serving
From the Recipe Creator:
I had a vegan wrap that was similar to this once when I stopped at a diner while on a long and arduous walk. I enjoyed it so much that I modified it to my own taste and now have it for lunch on a regular basis. Everyone at work wants to know how to make it. —Michael Steffens, Indianapolis, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 wrap: 235 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 415mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 5g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat.
20/24
Turkey Guacamole Wraps
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Tuck smoked turkey and a creamy avocado spread into tortilla wraps and add a dash of hot sauce for a little heat. —Margee Berry, White Salmon, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 wrap: 506 calories, 27g fat (5g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 1045mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 8g fiber), 20g protein.
21/24
Tuna Macaroni Salad
Total Time
20 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Pack this classic salad for a picnic or workplace lunch. For best results, allow the salad to sit in the fridge overnight for flavors to blend. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 255 calories, 18g fat (3g saturated fat), 69mg cholesterol, 352mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.
22/24
Turkey Ranch Wraps
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a cool idea that's ready to gobble up in no time. It's a terrific use for deli turkey. Just add lettuce, tomato, green pepper, shredded cheese and ranch dressing for a flavorful blend. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 403 calories, 25g fat (9g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 601mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 26g protein.
23/24
Quick Taco Wraps
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I was running late one night, so I shopped in my own fridge and came up with ingredients that became taco wraps. Everybody at the table was a happy camper. —Katie Mitschelen, La Porte, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 wrap: 533 calories, 28g fat (13g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 1538mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 8g fiber), 14g protein.
24/24
Lemon Rice Salad
Total Time
25 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This salad makes a refreshing side dish for a special occasion meal. I take it to holiday potluck suppers and other family gatherings. People enjoy the combination of flavors, and I like that it can be made ahead. —Margery Richmond, Lacombe, Alberta
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 247 calories, 16g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 84mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
Field Trip Lunch Ideas FAQ
What are the best packable lunch options for a field trip?
Field trip lunch ideas are easy to hold, don’t require reheating and stay fresh until it’s time to eat. Wraps or sandwiches are always a good idea, whether they’re made with veggies, deli meat, tuna or chicken. For something different, make pasta salads with sturdy ingredients like rotini and chopped veggies, or roll deli meat or healthy nut butters in tortillas to create pinwheels. Complete the meal by adding something sweet to the lunch box, like fruit skewers or mini muffins.
What easy packed lunches are good for picky eaters?
Easy packed lunches for picky eaters combine familiar flavors kids love with simple textures and fun presentations. For example, try turning dinner favorites like pizza into pizza on a stick, or stuff skillet mac and cheese into a pita pocket to create a portable wrap. For those with dietary concerns, look to allergy-free treats like apple wedges and oatmeal jam squares to plan a safe and satisfying meal your kids will love.
How do I pack lunch for a field trip?
To pack these creative lunchbox ideas so the food doesn’t get crushed or soggy, use sturdy containers that allow you to separate wet and dry ingredients. Look for bento-style boxes or use silicone liners to keep everything in its place. If the lunch has to be totally disposable, use parchment paper for wraps or sandwiches, and secure wet ingredients like fruit in zip-top bags. Toss a frozen juice box into the bag to double as a cold pack—it’ll be thawed and ready to drink by lunchtime.
