5 Easy Bento Box Lunch Ideas

School is right around the corner and that means it's time to start thinking about packing school lunches again. If you're anything like me, you start the school year out ambitious, doing your best to make the most nutritious, fun, and tasty lunches (can you say cookie cutter heart sandwiches?). Of course, as the year rolls on I find myself starting to slack and by the last month of school my kids are sick of the usual cold sandwich so I'm throwing in some pretzels, a cheese stick, and calling it good. 

This year, I've bought our house some bento boxes. If you don't have any already, you really need to get some! According to Bento and Co, a bento box is a reusable Japanese-style lunch box that typically holds a single portion meal consisting of a main dish and some sides. Bento boxes are reusable and many are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. They have nifty compartments so your child's food each has a "place", keeping his lunchbox organized and lunch looking yummy. Wow!

While a traditional bento holds rice or noodles, fish or meat, with pickled and cooked vegetables, here are a few combinations below that will keep lunch time exciting all year.  Hopefully, they are easy enough that you will make them from August through May!  

The Mediterranean Bento Box

• Naan or Tortilla Triangles with Hummus
• Cucumber Slices
• Mozzarella Cheese Chunks
• Mixed Berries; Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries
• Chocolate Covered Almonds

The Traditional Bento Box

• Alternating Ham and Cheese Cubes on a Pretzel Stick Skewer
• Trail Mix of Almonds, Cranberries and Chocolate Chips
• Carrot Sticks with Ranch
• Cutie Orange

The Vegetarian Bento Box

• Almond Butter with Apples Slices
• Snap Peas with Hummus
• Whole Wheat Crackers with Cheese Slices
• Nilla Wafers

The Mini-Fiesta Bento Box

• Cheese Quesadilla
• Guacamole with Tortilla Chips
• Mini Sweet Peppers
• Black Bean or Refried Beans
• Banana with Chocolate Chips

The Italian Bento Box

• Pasta Salad with Mini Tomatoes, Pepperoni, and Shredded Cheese (tossed in Italian Dressing)
• Broccoli with Ranch Dressing
• Grapes
• Vanilla Yogurt with Granola and Walnut Pieces

I hope these ideas look easy and scrumptious (my stomach is grumbling as I write this).  Who knows, you might find yourself packing some of these same bento box lunches for yourself. Enjoy!

For More Back To School Reads: 

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• 10 Ways to Connect with Students