Healthy (But Fun!) Lunches for Kids

While this rich, nourishing soup can be prepped in big batches for the entire family, little ones will especially enjoy slurping on broth chock full of hearty white rice, julienned veggies, and chicken. Make a pot the night before and add a sprinkle of sharp cheese for an extra kick of flavor.

Who says all sweet treats have to be baked goods or made entirely of chocolate? A fruit salad is a great alternative. Chop ripe, fresh berries and flavorful tropical fruits to give your little one a taste of summer all year long. Be sure to make a big batch of the crunchy coconut-poppy seed dressing; it adds a fun, healthy punch to this dish.

Spice up a quick sandwich or a salad lunch with a side of this super-green guacamole, which incorporates crunchy roasted seaweed flakes for umami notes.

A side of fruit becomes the main attraction at lunch when dressed with this sweet, creamy dip. Make a big batch and use it liberally at snack time, too.

Here's why these cookies are the supercharged treat you should add to your kids lunchbox: The recipe swaps butter for coconut oil, which reduces saturated fats and adds nutty flavor. We also like that it uses gluten-free flours and oats, but you can make it a whole-grain cookie by choosing spelt flour.

Lean ham and loads of broccoli bulk up this healthier twist on pizza pockets, and we love how easily they can be packed into a lunch box. Don't forget to include a little container of tomato sauce for dipping.

Transform vitamin-packed sweet potatoes into a low-fat "can't eat just one" snack simply by tossing thin slices with a drizzle of olive oil and baking until crisp-edged. These crunchy sweet potato chips are just one of our favorite options for creating better-for-you veggie and fruit chips at home.

Make a quick version of Caesar dressing by mixing lemon juice and Parmesan into light mayonnaise. Spread on multigrain bread then pile on smoked turkey and romaine lettuce for a sandwich that's sure to be a lunchroom success.

While these may be called breakfast cookies, we promise they taste just as good at lunch. Buckwheat flour, millet, and oats form the wholesome base, and the addition of cashew butter, coconut oil, and fresh raspberries will make sure your kids are well fueled for the rest of the school day.

These mini bean-and-veggie burgers take inspiration from Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches. Blended beans and rice are the basis of these sliders, which are supercharged with grated carrots, broccoli, and ginger. Top them with cilantro and sliced mango for the brightest sandwiches ever.

As a parent, you object to food that comes in "Tropical Tie-Dye" flavor, but the grocery-aisle pleas are inevitable. Head them off by making real-fruit rolls that are like candy, only better.

Make it a brown-bag picnic with a delicious skinless baked chicken drumstick or two. They're crunchy thanks to whole-wheat breadcrumbs.

These brownies get a healthy boost from whole-wheat flour and applesauce, while cocoa powder and plenty of semisweet chocolate make them nice and fudgy.

Toss soba noodles, leftover chicken, and thinly sliced red cabbage in a kid-approved dressing of soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic to make this cool Asian-inspired salad that makes a colorful, fun, and filling lunch.

Fold garlicky sautéed zucchini, corn, cilantro, and grated pepper jack cheese into tortillas and bake until browned and melty for a fun, healthy sandwich alternative.

Introduce your kids to protein-packed edamame: They'll have fun sucking the tender beans out of their pods.

These mini chocolate cupcakes are a delicious twist on traditional zucchini bread. If your kids prefer, substitute pecans or sliced almonds for the walnuts, or skip the nuts altogether.

Instead of the usual hummus, try this brilliant-green, protein-packed spread with vegetables and whole-grain crackers or pita for dipping.

A thermos full of this mild-but-tasty vegetable-packed chili and some baked tortilla chips will keep little tummies happy all afternoon long.

Using assorted dried fruit adds a colorful twist to this classic snack.

Julienned carrot, red bell pepper, celery, and scallion are rolled in tangy sushi rice and crisp nori to make this colorful, fun-to-eat veggie sushi.