When you run out of healthy lunch ideas for toddlers, it’s hard to keep the kids happy. Use these fun ingredients to make your next meal a success!
I breezed into the kitchen and glanced at the clock.
11:00am.
Oh shoot. It’s almost time for lunch and I have no idea what to feed the kids.
My brain started scrolling through all the usuals… PB&J, Quesadillas…
It’s a short list.
I felt like my brain was spinning in a very short circle with no way out, like a bug stuck in a lamp.
Pulling open the fridge door, I scanned for any spark of an idea. Then I spotted them– the blueberries I’d just bought at the request of my oldest.
Table of Contents
An idea popped into my head and I sprang into action.
I grabbed their divided plates and started pulling out various items from the fridge and cupboards.
- Deli turkey
- The big block of Tillamook cheese.
- The blueberries, of course.
“Girls, it’s almost time for your Surprise Lunch!” I called into the other room.
“Surprise lunch? What’s that? What is it?”
They came running, trying to peek on the countertop. I tried to shoo them out of the room but they kept coming back, hoping for a clue of their upcoming meal.
(Pin this image to save the info for later!)
What is a Surprise Lunch?
A Surprise Lunch is nothing but a fun spin on a potentially boring meal. It’s a charcuterie board of healthy lunch ideas for toddlers to pick and choose from, with fun singing and Mom being extra secretive in the kitchen.
It was a hit before they even sat down to eat.
What was in the lunch?
In addition to the Turkey, cheese, and blueberries, I added:
- macadamia nuts
- roasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- a glass of milk.
On a less-healthy note, I tossed one daughter’s leftover pancake onto her plate. And as a bit of a treat, I also gave them a small square of Starbucks’ pumpkin loaf from my morning pastry.
They don’t know how lucky they are that I shared! Ha!
To top it all off was the presentation.
While making it, I started singing a “Surprise Lunch” song in a Las Vegas croon. (Don’t ask me to repeat it now because I don’t even remember the tune!)
But I kept singing my little jingle all the way to the table, setting down the plates with gusto.
The kids were all smiles and my 2-year-old was excited to get buckled in (yay!). They loved picking from a variety of healthy lunch options, and I was just happy that they were happy.
Phew. Score one for the mom team.
More Healthy Lunch Ideas For Toddlers
One other fun idea I considered was using an ice cube tray instead of a plate. However, I could only find one, so I decided against creating any more reasons for sibling bickering or whining.
If I can find one before the next surprise lunch, I’ll definitely upgrade their lunch experience.
After our lunch, I got on my computer and jotted down 37 more healthy lunch ideas for toddlers.
That way, I have a list of even more foods I can put on their plates to build an awesome meal. Plus I can easily add the items to my grocery list.
If you want a copy of my list, you can download it below for free and always have a game plan for your kids’ lunches!
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I am just getting to the point with my daughter when I struggle to figure out what to give for lunch… and i only have one kid as of right now O_o
My husband also hates giving her the same thing a couple of days in a row (insert eye roll), so I love your idea!
It’s a good time to get it all figured out when she’s still little! =) Thanks for stopping by!