Lunch Ideas for Kids {30 Day Meal Plan + Free Printables}

I don’t know about you, but my least favorite time of day is meal time. It feels as if eating for kids happens on the hour, every hour…to the point that it can drive any mama bonkers! 

We recently subscribed to a meal plan for dinners in 2019 and it’s been one of the greatest investments EVER, so I was bound and determined to figure out a meal plan to simplify the chaos of lunch time in our home.

After polling moms on Facebook, I decided to compile the most common entrees & ingredients already in your pantry to create a monthly plan for lunches. This has been a game changer in so many ways for our family, so let me share the 30 Day Meal Plan with you!

Below is a list of printables I created to simplify the chaos of lunch with kids…

1. A 30 Day Calendar with Planned Meals

Many of the meals are on repeat each week, with a simple twist to make the presentation a little different from the eyes of your kiddos. Nothing has to be followed to a T, but this layout is a great visual for a starting point.

*It’s a 30 day layout, so we repeat the same thing each month, and make adjustments as needed (longer/shorter months, vacations, eating out, etc). 

2. 30 Day Calendar – Blank Version

For those of you who like to do your own thing, this one’s for you!

3. Recipe Dictionary

A simple cheat sheet to explain any meals on the 30 Day calendar that you’re unsure of. 

4. Sides, Snacks, & Dip Ideas

The calendar simply lists the main dish of the day. When I go shopping each week, I let the kids choose some of their favorite items from the sides and snack list, to which we incorporate into their lunches every day. I add a few sides/snacks they want onto the shopping list…which brings me to #5…

5. Shopping List

Who doesn’t love a pre-made shopping list?! I went through the 30 Day Calendar and included all of the items needed on this list to create all of the main dishes. Most of these items are more than likely in anyone’s pantry, but I will typically do a run through every few weeks to take inventory on what needs restocked, as well as add any items for sides/snacks that the kiddos pick out. 

That’s it! Plain, simple, and to the point! I hope that you are able to benefit from any of these printables to make your lunch time a tad less chaotic…and a little more fun for everyone!

CLICK HERE to DOWNLOAD all printables.

 


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Erin Hughes
Born & raised on a cattle farm just west of Salina, Erin has grown to love the city life that Wichita has to offer. She & her husband, Nathan, are raising their family on the east side: Blakely (Dec 2013), Rowen (Apr 2015), & Lincoln (Jun 2017). Erin formerly taught elementary for 6 years. When the chaos of 2 under 2 happened so quickly (oops!), she decided to leave teaching for now, and work-from-home as the premier photographer of Erin Kata Photography. When the calendar allows breaks from the multitude of children's activities, photo sessions, editing & teaching workshops, you will more than likely find Erin & the fam somewhere outdoors: dancing in the rain, playing in sunshine, and even tromping through the snow!