Parents Corner – 15 Easy Ways to Get Out of Your Lunchbox Rut

Making a healthy lunch for the kids is on your to-do list most days of the week, but sometimes we just can’t think beyond the old stand-by’s like PB&J.

We’ve found 15 ways you can breathe fresh life into homemade lunches, and most of them are so good we think we’ll be packing them for work, too. Read on for the scrumptious ideas.

photo: What Lisa Cooks1. “Nachos” with Black Beans
How do you turn lunchtime into a real fiesta? With these easy deconstructed nachos, courtesy of What Lisa Cooks. This idea not only skips the mess of traditional nachos, it can also be thrown together in about 5 minutes. Get the how-to here.

photo: The Pioneer Woman2. Pinwheel Sandwiches
If all your usual bread sandwiches are feeling a little, well, stale, The Pioneer Woman can help. Not only are these pinwheel sandwiches a creative alternative (seriously, the flavor combos are endless), they’re also simple enough for kids to make. Plus, they’re the perfect size for little lunchboxes. Get inspired here.

photo: Lunchbox Bunch3. Tofu “Egg” Salad Sandwiches 
Put these eggless salad wraps on the menu today! Lunchbox Bunch notes that steaming the tofu first brings a firmer, eggy bite. We love how this can be eaten cold (aka made the night before) as a real time saver. Visit Lunchbox Bunch for the full recipe and more yummy vegan eats.

photo: Simple as That4. Pizza Buns
Thanks to Simple As That, you can treat little pizza connoisseurs to a creative ‘za lunch that doesn’t involve foil-wrapped slices. These cheesy buns are simple to whip up (kids can even help with the prep work) and they can be tossed in the freezer for those days when you need a lunch or snack ASAP. Get the recipe here.

photo: A Whisk and Two Wands5. Peanut Butter & Jelly on a Stick
Sometimes a home run lunch isn’t about reinventing the wheel. Just take this oh-so-clever idea from A Whisk and Two Wands. It’s got all the favorite flavors of the traditional PB&J, but in a kid-friendly kabob form. Alternate your sandwich bites with healthy fruit and you’re all set for school. Learn more here.

photo: Connoisseurus Veg6. Almond Butter and Mango Sandwich
Can’t quite convince your picky eater to give up her PB&J? For a play on the traditional, we love this sophisticated and nutritious grilled sandwich from Connoisseurus Veg. While it’s crazy simple to make, it’s amazing to munch on, whether wrapped in foil or fresh off the griddle.

photo: The Mom 1007. Monochrome Lunch
Sometimes you just need to embrace kid food quirks—like when they get attached to one particular color. This genius idea from The Mom 100 groups great green munchies like pesto pasta, broccoli, and grapes (Psst! If your kid is hooked on a different hue, The Mom 100 also has orange and yellow lunches on her blog!).

photo: Catherine MccCord via UrbanFamily blog8. Carrot and Hummus “Sushi” Sandwiches
We love how this idea, found on the UrbanFamily blog, incorporates fun flavors and lots of great grated carrot. It’s perfect for when you want to amp up your kids’ veggie intake–or when you want to pack a lunch that looks impressive but takes minutes to make. Learn more here.

photo: Snap. Eat. Run.9. Homemade Lunchables
Kids love the DIY aspect of Lunchables (go figure), but those unmade lunches can get pricey. Cue Snap. Eat. Run., which outlines how to make your own cheaper and healthier version of pizza Lunchables. You only need a few minutes to get these ready, and you can even make them ahead of time and toss them in a school bag on the way out the door. Learn more here.

photo: The Girl Who Ate Everything10. Mini BLT Wraps
What do you get when you take the classic BLT and give it a school lunch twist? These bite-sized rollups from The Girl Who Ate Everything! These are easy to put together and adaptable too, so feel free to get creative with whole wheat tortillas, hummus, sprouts, sliced chicken or whatever else is in the crisper drawer. Learn more here.

photo: Lexi’s Clean Kitchen11. Nut-Free Crispy Chicken Tenders
Teacher, foodie, blogger, and supermom Lexi of Lexi’s Clean Kitchen is our hero. She created this paleo-friendly recipe with flaxseed, tapioca flour and a whole lot of flavor for lunchtime. Pack a little dipping sauce and handi-wipes for the best finger food lunch in the cafeteria!

photo: Add a Pinch12. Applewiches
Think beyond bread! Add a Pinch shows how to include savory applewiches in your little one’s lunch. The filling ingredients include cheddar cheese and peanut butter–but if your kids’ school is a peanut-free zone, you can always sub in other kinds of nut-butter. Get the scoop here.

photo: Wendy Finn13. Homemade Uncrustables
Step away from the store-bought Uncrustables! You can easily make your own version of this kid-favorite thanks to Wendy Finn. Hint: you don’t need any fancy cutter or equipment, you can make them ahead of time and freeze for later, and you can alternate your fillings for any day of the week. Learn more here.

photo: Hip Foodie Mom14. Easy Soba Noodles
Talk about using your noodle! This idea from Hip Foodie Mom can be whipped up quickly in the morning and features tasty Asian flavors (Think low-sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, and more.). It’s great for kids who are tired of the ol’ sandwich route, and great for those who have mini lunch containers, too. Get all the tasty details here.

photo: Weelicious15. Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sammy
Blogger Catherine McCord always has simple and fun ideas to please even the pickiest eaters. These sandwiches from Weelicious channel tea party fare and are a total hit when it comes to school lunches. Just make sure to stash a cold pack in those lunch bags so the cream cheese can stay cool all morning!