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Even when you're thinking “inside the box," a bento box lunch for your kiddos is meant to be cute and a little silly. Whether you have trouble with lunchtime creativity or not, you can find a way to make lunchbox ideas fun way by including little one's favorite treats along with healthy snacks.
From edible animals to cool cutouts, these 13 bento box ideas will give you some inspiration on where to start in making the coolest packed lunches ever.
Ain't Too Proud To Meg
Stick To The Basics
The fun thing about a bento box is that you can literally cut up anything into cute shapes and the kids won’t care that it’s not fancy, prepackaged food. Make a list of their favorite carbs, fruits, veggies and proteins and then pick a couple from each category for a perfectly balanced meal that takes almost no prep time.
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Cutout Shapes
If you think putting together a bento box is a lot of work, then you just need to pick up some cookie cutters. Kids go crazy for food in fun shapes, and you might even get them to try something new if it’s disguised as a flower.
Halloween is just around the corner! We love this spooky cute idea.
For winter time, try this adorable snow-capped mountain lunch -- swap Vegemite for a nut butter or any favorite sandwich filling.
Kitchen Fun With My Three Sons
Monkey Bento
Mix things up by making a sandwich out of English muffins instead of bread. Continue the monkey theme with a banana and some cheeky crackers.
She Knows
Piglet Bagel
Satisfy their sweet tooth with this special strawberry cream cheese bagel spread and lots of fresh fruit sides.
Try this cute cloud and rainbow bento for sandwich and fruit lovers. Shop the cloud and rainbow cookie cutters here!
Kitchen Fun With My Three Sons
Owl Bento
Um, will someone please come pack our lunch for us? These owls are almost too cute to eat, but your kids won’t have a problem devouring them.
Kitchen Fun With My Three Sons
Waffle Mouse
PB&J with waffles is obviously the coolest new sandwich on the block. Who doesn’t love breakfast for lunch?
She Knows
Teddy Bear Bento
You can use any nut butter to hold this adorable teddy bear together, and the chocolate chip details double as dessert. Fill the other side with snacks like yogurt, pretzels, cheese cubes and fresh fruit.
Watermelon is still in season and are perfect bento treats. Try these tiny finger foods for tiny fingers!
Bento School Lunches
Minion Lunch
You can draw right on the banana peel and make the rest of the minion pieces with grape fruit leather, cheese and candy googly eyes. (via Foodtastic Mom)
We love the tooth-picked turkey slices here -- make it a club "sandwich" with bacon, tomato, and romaine lettuce!
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Header image via ShuttershockThis post has been updated.
