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              llunch for kids inspired by french

              Master Class

              6 Ways to Up Your Lunch Box Game

              Need some back to school lunch inspiration? We asked six foodie friends for some attainable and nutritious ways to feed your child and your Insta feed.

              Written By
              Olivia Villanti

              Parenting real talk: Coming up with creative ways to spice up a picky eater’s lunch is a chore. Not only is there pressure to please your kid, but there’s also the thought that the teacher – or worse, a fellow parent – is quietly judging your selections. To unlock a little inspiration, we asked six foodie parents to share what they pack their littles.

              lunch for kids with falafellunch for kids with falafel
              FOR THE ADVENTUROUS EATER

              Kale, Sweet Potato and Falafel Bento
              Alissa Wagner, co-owner of Dimes & Dimes Deli
              Mother of Henry, 2 ½, and Rowan, 1

              Ingredients
              Sweet potato falafel (recipe below)
              Hummus
              Crudités
              Fresh fruit and almonds
              Note: If your meal needs to be nut-free, substitute dried coconut.

              Falafel Recipe
              2 medium sweet potatoes, roasted and diced
              1 cup wilted kale or other seasonal green
              6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
              1 (15-oz.) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
              1/2 large yellow onion, finely diced
              2 tablespoons garlic, minced
              2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped
              1 teaspoon cumin
              1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
              2 tablespoons lemon juice
              1/2 teaspoon salt
              breadcrumbs to coat
              Optional: 1 tablespoon moringa powder and/or 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed

              Instructions: Place all ingredients (including add-ins, if using) except breadcrumbs in a food processor. Roll into two-inch balls and place in refrigerator to chill for 1 hour. Roll in breadcrumbs. Place on lightly oiled baking sheet and bake until golden brown.

              Note: For a gluten-free version, substitute 4 1/2 tablespoons chickpea flour for all-purpose flour and roll in ground nuts or gluten-free Panko. Moringa powder is a great way to sneak into a picky eater’s diet a high level of plant protein, vitamins and minerals. Additionally, flaxseed is high in Omega-3s.
              lunch for kids inspired for gourmandlunch for kids inspired for gourmand
              FOR THE PETITE GOURMAND

              Antipasto Bento
              Heather Moore, photographer
              Mother of Penelope, 7, and Quinn, 4

              Ingredients
              Prosciutto and mozzarella wraps
              Naan triangles
              Fruit mix
              Red bell peppers and carrots
              Candied sunflower seeds
              lunch for kids inspired by tacoslunch for kids inspired by tacos
              THE JUNK-FOOD ENTHUSIAST

              Esquites & Queso Bento
              Guillaume Guevara, owner of Miscelanea NY
              Father of Lalo, 2 ½

              Ingredients
              Sliced jicama
              Sliced avocado
              Sliced queso fresco
              Diced tomato
              Esquites (recipe below)
              Sliced oranges
              A slice of lime
              Tortilla chips

              Esquites Recipe
              2 tablespoons olive oil
              4 cups of freshly shucked corn
              ½ cup of white hominy (canned or fresh)
              ½ vegetable stock
              1 ounce of dry epazote
              1 tablespoon of mayo
              1 tablespoon of crumbled cotija cheese
              Juice of ½ lime
              Salt to taste

              Instructions: Heat the oil in a non-stick skillet, and add corn and hominy. Stir once or twice and let corn char for a minute or two. Add vegetable stock or water, epazote and two pinches of salt then bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn off the burner and let cool. Remove excess liquid, then add mayonnaise, cotija/fresco cheese and stir. Taste, and if necessary, add more salt and stir. Buen provecho!
              bento box lunch for kidsbento box lunch for kids
              FOR THE BASIC-FOOD-GROUP FOODIE

              Fish and Potato Bento
              Laura González Fierro, founder and design director +ADD
              Mother of Theodora, 2 ½

              The Ingredients
              Steamed tilapia filet
              Steamed broccoli
              Steamed potatoes with red and green peppers, onions, garlic, vinegar, olive oil and parsley
              Grapes
              Frenchie lunch for kidsFrenchie lunch for kids
              FOR THE WHITE-FOOD DEVOTEE

              Breakfast-for-Lunch Bento
              Jane Reilly Johnson, co-founder of Wiley Body
              Mother of Henry, 6, Wayne, 5, and Goldie, 1

              Ingredients
              Trader Joe’s Belgian waffles, cut in half
              Cheddar cheese cubes
              Fresh strawberries
              Optional: Side of syrup
              frittata lunch for kids frittata lunch for kids
              FOR THE TINY TRAVELER

              Flight-Friendly Frittatas and Fruit Bento
              Dulci Edge, art director Mother of Charley, 2 ½

              Ingredients
              Tomato, ham and sharp cheddar mini frittatas (recipe below)
              Toasted cream cheese and jelly sandwich
              Clementine
              Berries

              Frittata Recipe
              3 eggs
              Whole milk
              Tomatoes, diced
              Ham, diced
              Salt and pepper

              Instructions: Beat the eggs, then add the whole milk, salt and pepper. Pour the mixture into a mini-muffin tin, and add cheese, tomato and ham. Bake at 350° for 10 to 15 minutes.