If you’re starting Kindergarten and need to send in a cold lunch AND your 5 year old is super picky, I’ve got you covered with these realistic ideas, plus expert tips for packing it all up.
Packing lunch for a picky eater is probably one of the toughest parts about being a mom – seriously!
They’re going off to school for the day and you want to make sure they eat something, but it’s hard when they don’t eat a variety of foods.
Sure, my 5 year old will happily eat buttered noodles (and yes, you could pack that up in a thermos and keep it warm), however, it’s easier to pack their lunch the night before so there’s less to worry about in the morning.
So if you’re stressing about lunches, don’t be; Kindergarten is enough of a milestone as it is, we don’t need any more worries on our plate.
Today I’m going to answer all of your questions and tackle every important topic so you feel confident going into this school year:
- School lunches that don’t have to be warmed up or reheated
- How to pack everything so it stays cold
- The best lunch box gear for kindergarten
- How to pack a lunch for a picky eater
- What to make a 5 year old for school lunch?
FAQs
Here’s exactly what you’ll need to keep their lunch cold:
A bento box
Insulated lunch bag
Flat ice pack
You’ll need an insulated lunch bag (it will say insulated in the description) plus the ice packs to pack everything for school.
And I actually put one flat ice pack on top and one on the bottom. This helps ensure the lunch stays cold! 
Without oversimplifying it, my best advice is to pack food that you know your child likes and that you know they’ll eat.
Right now my 5 year old is in a store-bought Uncrustables phase (doesn’t she know I share recipes on how to make your own? 😂), so that’s what I’ve been putting in her lunch because I know she’ll eat it!
Something else to consider: most school lunchtimes are short, and we want to take the worry and guesswork out of the equation by just packing a lunch that’s a no-brainer for our 5 or 6 year old.
Fruit and/or Veggie (can be an applesauce pouch, freeze-dried fruit, etc.)
Snack (something crunchy)
Dip (like hummus, ranch, or peanut butter)
Main component
Treat
Ultimate Bento Box School Lunch Guide
In my Lunchbox Guide you’ll find all of my top lunch ideas, plus tips & recs for all the best gear.
Inside the ebook you’ll get printables and helpful step-by-step guidance so you’ll feel confident heading into this back-to-school season!
Ultimate Bento Box Lunch Guide
your go-to guide this school year for planning, shopping, and packing lunches!
Cold Lunch Ideas for Kindergarten (Picky Eater Approved)
Below you’ll find some easy cold lunch ideas for Kindergarten. And I don’t use the word “easy” lightly around here.
These ideas are truly simple to put together the night before or in the morning before school. You can also modify these ideas for preschool or check out my list of preschool bento box lunch ideas here.
And don’t be afraid to put these ideas on repeat with a lunch rotation – that’s exactly what I do!
Pasta
A top picky eater favorite: pasta.
Of course it depends on whether or not they’ll eat the pasta cold.
If not, you can always warm it up in the morning and pack their pasta in a thermos.
This is a great lunch idea if you have leftover pasta from the night before. You can pack up their lunch box once the pasta is cooled!
PB&J
“Uncrustables” – homemade or store-bought, whatever works!
left: Bentgo Stainless Steel | right: Bentgo Stow & Go
You can prep a bunch in advance using this sandwich press (under $10!)
- If you make the “uncrustables” you can freeze them and pack it in their lunch in the morning
- For a regular sandwich, you can make it the night before and keep their lunchbox in the fridge overnight (peanut butter on both halves, jelly in the middle so it doesn’t get soggy!)
Or, purchase a big box of Uncrustables at Sam’s or Costco and you’ve got it made. I do believe Whole Foods sells a version as well, although we haven’t tried it yet!
Snacky Lunches
If you’re wondering what to make your Kindergartener for lunch and they’re also a picky eater, this has to be my favorite idea.
left: Bentgo Chill Kids | right: Bentgo Stow & Go
The thing about a snacky lunch is that there’s really no “main” thing but I do like to include a few things with protein like hummus, ranch, or cheese.
Hummus is one of the few “healthy” things my 5 year old likes, so I add it to her bento box pretty much every day 😀
Here are a few ideas of what to include in a snacky lunch:
- Yogurt drink or applesauce pouch
- Smoothie melts or yogurt melts
- Protein bar or granola bar
- Cheese & crackers or pretzels & hummus
- Fruits & veggies (like cucumbers & carrots)
- Cheese (string cheese, Babybel, cracker-cut cheese)
chocolate banana muffin recipe shared, here.
Quesadillas
My kids like quesadillas so I will prep those in advance and they’ll eat them cold in their lunches.
left: Bentgo Stainless Steel | right: Bentgo Kids
Some cooking upfront required, but not much!
- I prep a bunch in advance, with regular tortillas and with Siete almond flour tortillas!
- Once cooled, I cut them up in triangles and add to the lunchbox with sour cream in these little containers
You can also do the same thing with mini burritos or taquitos!
Favorite Bento Boxes & School Lunch Supplies
Browse all of my tried & tested favorites (through 3 kids, packing lunches for 10 years), here: Because I Said So, Baby Lunchbox List
- For Kindergarten & 1st Grade: I love the Bentgo Kids, Bentgo Kids Chill, and the new Bentgo Stow & Go
- As they get older and need more food, you’ll love the Bentgo Pop and the Bentgo Chill Max
- If you’re trying to avoid plastic, my go-to box is the Lunchbots Cinco (holds a surprising amount of food) or the Planetbox Rover.
What to Read Next:
- Best Back to School Bento Box Ideas
- 1 Year Old Lunchbox Ideas
- How to Pack a Snack & Lunch for Kindergarten
- What to Pack for Preschool Snack
- Ultimate Guide to Gluten-Free Lunchboxes
Follow Marla on Instagram for more everyday #momlife this school year!
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