Time for School Lunch

Meals for making your mark on the blacktop

Lunchtime in elementary school is when our social quirks become set in stone. Just peek into the lunchroom and it’s already evident who’ll be persnickety, who’ll fly by the seat of his pants, and who will be wheeling and dealing. We’ve got lunches suited for all of those personalities. And if your child refuses typecasting, mix and match. These tasty meals have the added bonus that they’re healthier than store-bought stuff. And if you’re looking for a stylish lunch box to pack any of these in, The Kitchn has rounded up some of the best products out there, for kids and grownups alike.
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PHOTO GALLERY

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THE NEGOTIATOR

A born wheeler-dealer, this young’un uses lunchtime as just another opportunity to trade up. And this kid’s got the tools to come out on top: colorful fruit, crunchy chicken fingers, and supertasty cookies.
THE NEGOTIATOR MENU
Baked Cracker-Crusted Chicken Fingers with a choice of honey-mustard, barbecue, or buttermilk dipping sauce; Pineapple and Grape Kebabs; string cheese; and Oatmeal–Chocolate Chip Cookies

THE PICKY EATER

So finicky is this little one that he won’t let any foods on the same plate touch each other. Play it safe with familiar classics that, with a few twists, can still be interesting.
THE PICKY EATER MENU
Smushed Turkey and Cheese Sandwich; Ladybugs on a Raft; goldfish or other nonthreatening yet relatively healthy crackers; and Easy Vanilla Pudding

THE ADVENTURER

This kid has yet to meet a spice or veggie she didn’t like. Push her palate to new levels with this Asian-influenced lunch.
THE ADVENTURER MENU
Kid-Friendly Fried Rice; Tropical Snack Mix; exotic fruit such as Asian pears, dragon fruit, or lychees; and Zen Bars

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