23 Toddler Lunch Ideas for When You’re on the Go

Quick and easy ideas for when you need to serve lunch in the fast lane.

By Shelley Massey May 11, 2023

little boy enjoying a toddler lunch idea on the go

Life doesn’t slow down just because kids need to eat; these toddler lunch ideas can keep up

If you’re trying to meal-plan for your toddler whose social life (or siblings’ sports schedules) translates to lunch in the fast lane, you have a few things going for you. Toddlers don’t eat that much—even on a good day—so you have room to pack a couple of choices. Plus, they tend to be distracted (translation: less picky). The next time you need to pack a quick bite, try one of our favorite healthy (and just plain enticing) toddler lunch ideas.

Savory Toddler Lunch Ideas

Quesadilla: Portable, handheld, and generally liked by all, the quesadilla is the king of the
toddler lunch on the road.
Toddler Portion of Leftovers (plus wipes): Forget about being clean. Just get them fed.
Hard Boiled Egg & Sesame (provided there’s no allergy) Bagel: For the pickier eaters, try plain instead.
Whole Avocados: Just remember to bring a bread knife to cut it in half, then hand the
unseeded side to your toddler with a kiddie spoon.
Kid-cuterie: Guess what you get when you unpack a Ziploc bag with a protein, a dairy,
fruit, and vegetable onto a paper plate? That’s right. A kid-cuterie. Throw in a small
container of hummus or ranch and you’ve got two tickets to paradise.
Roly-Poly: Cream cheese and turkey rolled into a tortilla.
Deconstructed Sandwiches on a Stick: For your older toddlers, skewer rolls of deli meat,
mini tomatoes, chunks of bagels or whole-grain bread, and cubes of cheese.

Sweet Options

Peanut Butter & Anything: For toddlers who’ve cleared the peanut allergy test, this gold-
standard of child-rearing nutrition won’t fall apart and packs a protein-filled punch. Instead of jelly, try adding mini marshmallows or sliced bananas to keep it fresh. Or, simply allow a frozen Uncrustable that will thaw in your bag to do the work for you.
Apple Sticks Wrapped in Deli Turkey
Nutella & Strawberry Roly-Poly
Peanut Butter & Banana Roly-Poly: Don’t slice the banana! Spread peanut butter on the
tortilla and wrap that thing up whole.
Yogurt Dip & Graham Crackers with chopped fruit: Freeze this healthy treat and pull it out before you leave. Serve with strawberries, apples, or even bananas.
No-Bake Energy Bites: Made with peanut butter, chocolate, old-fashioned oats, and chia seeds, your toddler will get tons of nutrition in one tasty nibble.

Ideas That Sneak in Healthy Foods

Cucumber & Cream Cheese Crustless Sandwiches: Your mother had them at her baby
shower and you can bet your toddler will love the cream cheese paired with the salty
crunch of the cuke.
Garbanzo Beans & Halved Cherry Tomatoes: Squeeze some lemon and sprinkle some
salt on this easy finger food.
Thawed Frozen Veggies & a Cheese Stick
Frozen Pre-Made Smoothies: Freeze these in advance and they’ll thaw out just in time for
lunch on the go.
Shelled Edamame & Pasta: Add a splash of soy and sesame oil for the adventurous
eaters.
Hummus & Pretzel Chips: Throw in a few slices of bell pepper for a vitamin C boost.

Last-Ditch Toddler Lunch Ideas

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches: Prep these crowd-pleasers the night before and keep them in
the fridge for portable possibilities.
Frozen Yogurt Tube
Dry Cereal & Banana: Because sometimes, it’s the answer.
Clif or Any Kind of Protein Bar