Summer Lunch Ideas for Kids

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Lunch is a heavy topic in my house. It’s like this all year long because we homeschool, but in the summer it can be a little more challenging. Heating the house out is just out of the questions in this Texas heat!

My kids can be picky. That is somewhat normal, right?

We made a commitment about 3 months ago to really try and eat better.

Junk food makes my kids bounce off the walls. Not to mention one of the little boys we’re adopting is drawn to sugar and anything sweet. While we’ve modified the selections of what is available, still he was not getting enough fruits and veggies. So in the spring we stepped it up with really being more aware than ever of the things we’re offering the kids. I already steer clear of high fructose corn syrup. but more action needed to be taken.

Here is the other thing. Sometimes I just don’t want to fight the lines are the larger grocery stores and discount shopping places. I want to get in and get out fast. Maybe I need to grab diapers and lunch items but I don’t want crowds and I am short on time. Some of these stores you run into you can spend 15 minutes just walking from one side to the other to get three or four things. Then you stand in line, etc.

This summer when you’re pressed for time I want you to remember that your local CVS has just about everything your larger grocery store has. You can make your kids lunch, grab diapers, some household items and sinus meds all in minutes and get on with your day. Fast! Plus, I love the new healthy food options they are carrying now.

Another thing I love is that shopping with CVS and  being a member of their ExtraCara program I earn 2% back in ExtraBucks when purchasing select items.  To redeem, present rewards coupon and associated ExtraCare card to cashier on a subsequent transaction. Your rewards coupon will expire if not redeemed as designated on the coupon. Sometimes you will get ExtraBucks in the form on a coupon or code at the end of your receipt.

You can sign up for an ExtraCare card once you’ve created a CVS.com account. If you already have an account, sign in, go to the ExtraCare page and follow the instructions to Get a Card now. Or visit your local CVS/pharmacy store and get a FREE ExtraCare card on the spot.

Ok, ready for some awesome lunch ideas? Here are 7 lunches that are currently in our meal plan rotation!

 

Lunch Ideas for Kids

Chicken Salad Sandwich– keep it light and use half mayo and half plain yogurt. I also add in a little dejon mustard.  Serve this with some cherry tomatoes and Jalapeno Cheddar Quinoa Puffs by Abound. The jalapeno flavor is super mild, but if your kids are sensitive to it they also have sea salt multi-grain chip that is made of quinoa as well. Quinoa rocks, you know!

Annie’s Mac and Cheese– my kids would eat this every single day if I would let them! It’s super easy and the key to really creamy cheese sauce is to mix the powder and milk in a bowl before add it to the cooked noodles. For my six kiddos I will generally make 4 boxes at a time if we are eating this for lunch. I like to serve it with grapes.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sushi Rolls– these are super easy!! Use a rolling pin to flatten down your bread super then. Then add peanut butter to one slice and jelly to the other. You could sub the peanut butter for almond butter. When you out the slices of bread together roll it into a roll. Slice the roll into sushi-like bites. Serve this with baked kale chips.  We are loving the ones by Rhythm Superfoods which you can find at your local CVS.

Yogurt Granola Cups– serve this with a fig bar on the side. We love yogurt and granola. Bear Naked has many granola options and I love the one with dried raspberries, strawberries and blueberries in it.  Have you tried the fig bars from Natures Bakery? No trans fat or GMOs. Made of stone ground whole wheat.

Oatmeal for Lunch– My kids love oatmeal and honestly so do I!! I love that Abound has these individual packages that you just add water to the fill line and pop it in the microwave. This is perfect for older kids (like my 11 year old twins) to do by themselves.

Hummus and Veggies– we are dippers! We love hummus with bell pepper slices, cucumber slices, zucchini spears, and even some pretzels. Serve this with a fruit and chia bar on the side.

Turkey and Cream Cheese Pinwheels- these are super easy! Just take a tortilla and smear your favorite cream cheese on it. Add a layer of deli turkey. Add some lettuce or spinach if you want. Roll it up. Slice it into pinwheels. Serve with with some PEAS Please baked veggie sticks. Yum!!

See that soft baked minis bag? Yeah, one of my 11 year old twins snagged it before I could even try it. The good new is, all of these items are at the CVS right down the street from my house!

Have you ever considered utilizing the healthy resources at your local CVS to conquer a healthy lunch for your kids?

 

Disclosure: I’m proud to be working with CVS Pharmacy to help spread the word about #BetterHealthMadeEasy and how to #FindYourHealthy. All opinions expressed are my own, and all product claims or program details shared should be verified at CVS.com or with the appropriate manufacturers.

11 Comments

  1. We are always looking for new lunch ideas. My kids are so picky so I have to switch things up every once in a while. I will make sure to keep these ideas in mind when I am preparing lunches!

  2. These are yummy and healthy lunch ideas. We are also eating healthy and trying to eliminate sugary food and drinks. Yogurt, almond milk and soya milk are staples in my kitchen because these are great swaps for mayo and milk.

  3. I have never thought about the mac n cheese for lunch and serving it with grapes sounds like fun. I can’t believe you have 6 kids to feed and manage to figure that out. lol I have one and somedays feel so overwhlemed! Thanks for these tips to make it easier!

  4. Your lunch ideas are all so good!! We’re in Texas, too, and yes…it’s too hot to turn on a stove for sure. These fun tips and foods are the perfect solution. We have a new CVS right by our house…I need to be sure to grab some of these goodies next time I am there!

  5. Lot’s of great healthy options for lunch. I’ve been wanting to try the Bear Naked oatmeal for quite sometime. Our Costco always has it stocked. Hummus and veggies is also a favorite of mine.

  6. We have gotten into a rut eating the same ol’ rotation of lunches. This is going on my fridge as a reminder of all the great things I could be feeding my growing preschooler. He will appreciate it, I’m almost certain.

  7. What wonderful lunch ideas for kids (and adults!) It reminded me how much I love chicken salad and haven’t made it in such a long time. While we don’t have a CVS close to where we live, it is nice to be able to get through the majority of my list in one store. x

  8. I have seen recipes for peanut butter and jelly sushi rolls before. But I have never tried them out in the past. They did look yummy. And maybe they would inspire my daughter to eat the real thing eventually. In either case, I hope to try them out with my daughter this summer.

  9. First off, I LOVE CVS. Your summer lunch ideas are really great being that no one wants to eat a heavy meal when it’s super hot outside. It’ll make anyone feel sluggish. These meals are light and very filling for their tummies. Now if only I could get my picky monster to eat EVERYTHING.

  10. I LOVE the PB&J sushi rolls!!! I had never heard of that before – maybe my kids are just too old and I missed out. Either way, I’m definitely saving this recipe in the back of my mind for when grandkids come along!

  11. Mother of 3 says:

    I do find that lunch is harder for my kids in the summer; mostly because their favorite foods require cooking. These are some great ideas. Thanks for sharing with us at Encouraging Hearts and Home. Pinned.

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