Bento meals are a fun and creative way to serve nutritious food to kids, making lunchtime exciting and visually appealing. A Colorful Veggie and Hummus Bento is a delightful option that combines a variety of vibrant vegetables served alongside a creamy, flavorful hummus dip. This dish is not only healthy but also encourages kids to explore different tastes and textures.
Ingredients
Quantity
Baby carrots
1 cup
Cucumber
1 medium, sliced
Cherry tomatoes
1 cup
Bell pepper (any color)
1 medium, sliced
Celery
1 stalk, cut into sticks
Hummus
½ cup
Pita bread
1 medium, cut into triangles
Cooking Steps:
Prepare all vegetables by washing and cutting them into kid-friendly sizes: baby carrots, cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper strips, and celery sticks.
Arrange the cut vegetables in a bento-style lunchbox or container, ensuring a colorful mix for visual appeal.
Place the hummus in a small compartment or bowl within the bento box.
Add pita bread triangles as a delightful dipping option alongside the veggies and hummus.
Close the bento box and refrigerate if not serving immediately, ensuring it’s ready for a tasty lunch!
Mini Pizza Bento Boxes
Mini Pizza Bento Boxes are a fun and customizable meal option for kids that brings the flavors of pizza right into a bento-style lunch. These mini pizzas are made using English muffins or pita bread as the base, topped with marinara sauce, cheese, and a variety of toppings that kids can choose from. This interactive meal not only satisfies pizza cravings but also allows children to be creative with their food.
Cut the English muffins or pita bread in half and place them on a baking sheet.
Spread marinara sauce evenly over each piece.
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top, then add desired toppings like pepperoni, bell peppers, and olives.
Sprinkle Italian seasoning and drizzle a little olive oil over the pizzas.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Allow cooling slightly before packing into the bento box for lunch.
Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups
Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups are a simple yet delicious and nutritious option for kids’ bentos. These roll-ups are made by wrapping turkey slices around cheese sticks or slices, providing a fun and finger-friendly meal that kids can easily enjoy. They’re perfect for packing in a bento box and can be accompanied by various dipping sauces or sides for added flavor.
Ingredients
Quantity
Sliced turkey breast
8 slices
Cheese sticks or slices
4 sticks
Whole grain tortillas or wraps
2
Mustard or ranch dressing
2 tbsp
Lettuce leaves
4 leaves
Optional veggies (carrots, cucumbers)
½ cup
Cooking Steps:
Lay the tortilla or wrap flat on a clean surface.
Place 4 slices of turkey on one half of the tortilla.
Add one cheese stick or slices on top of the turkey.
Roll the tortilla tightly, starting from the side with the turkey and cheese.
Cut the roll into bite-sized pieces and secure with toothpicks if desired.
Pack the roll-ups in the bento box and include dipping sauce and optional veggies on the side.
Fruit and Yogurt Parfait
Fruit and Yogurt Parfait is a delightful and healthy dish perfect for kids’ bentos. This colorful and layered treat combines creamy yogurt, fresh fruits, and crunchy granola, making it not only visually appealing but also a great source of vitamins, minerals, and energy. It’s easy to prepare and can be customized with different fruits according to your child’s preference!
Cover and pack in the bento box until ready to enjoy!
DIY Sandwich Skewers
DIY Sandwich Skewers are a fun and interactive meal option for kids’ bentos. These skewers feature a variety of sandwich fillings threaded onto a stick, making them easy to eat and enjoy. You can customize the ingredients based on your child’s favorite flavors, providing a delightful and balanced meal that kids will love!
Cut the bread into quarters to create small sandwich pieces.
Spread your choice of optional spread on one side of each bread piece.
Layer a slice of deli meat and cheese on top of the spread.
Add a slice of veggie (like cucumber or bell pepper) on top of the meat and cheese.
Thread the sandwich pieces onto the skewer, alternating with more veggies if desired.
Repeat the process for each skewer until all ingredients are used.
Pack the skewers in the bento box and serve with a side of dipping sauce if desired!
Protein-Packed Edamame and Rice Bento
Protein-Packed Edamame and Rice Bento is a nutritious and colorful meal option for kids that combines the goodness of rice and edamame. This bento box features a delightful mix of steamed edamame, fluffy rice, and vibrant veggies, making it a balanced meal that’s visually appealing and easy for little ones to enjoy.
Cook your choice of rice according to package instructions and set aside.
In a pot of boiling water, add the shelled edamame and cook for 3-5 minutes until tender, then drain.
Prepare the veggies by julienning the carrot and dicing the cucumber and bell pepper.
In a bento box, start by adding a scoop of cooked rice, followed by the edamame and assorted veggies.
Drizzle with soy sauce or teriyaki sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired.
Close the bento box and it’s ready for lunch!
Fun Taco Bento
Fun Taco Bento is a playful and nutritious meal that allows kids to enjoy all the flavors of a classic taco in a bento-style format. This bento includes all the traditional taco fixings, such as seasoned ground meat, colorful veggies, and toppings, served alongside tortilla chips or mini tortillas for a fun, hands-on dining experience.
Ingredients
Quantity
Ground beef or turkey
1 cup
Taco seasoning
1 packet
Mini tortillas or tortilla chips
6-8
Cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup
Shredded lettuce
1 cup
Shredded cheese
1/2 cup
Sour cream (optional)
2 tbsp
Salsa (optional)
2 tbsp
Bento box
1
Cooking Steps:
In a skillet, brown the ground meat over medium heat until cooked through, then drain excess fat.
Add taco seasoning and water according to package instructions; stir and let simmer for a few minutes.
While the meat cooks, prepare the veggies by halving the cherry tomatoes and shredding the lettuce.
In the bento box, place a scoop of seasoned meat, followed by the cherry tomatoes and lettuce.
Add mini tortillas or tortilla chips to the side and include optional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or salsa.
In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and salt. Cook in a non-stick skillet over medium heat until scrambled and cooked through.
Prepare mini pancakes or waffles according to package instructions or from scratch.
In the bento box, place scrambled eggs on one side, then add mini pancakes or waffles next to them.
Fill the remaining section with fresh fruit and drizzle with maple syrup, if desired.
Optionally, sprinkle shredded cheese over the eggs for added flavor. Close the bento box and serve!
Zucchini Noodles With Marinara
Zucchini Noodles with Marinara is a fun and nutritious dish that kids will love. This veggie-packed meal is a great alternative to traditional pasta, making it a healthy option for lunch or dinner. With the rich flavors of marinara sauce and the fun texture of spiralized zucchini, this dish is sure to become a family favorite!
In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and add minced garlic. Sauté for 1 minute.
Add zucchini noodles to the skillet and cook for about 3-4 minutes until tender.
Stir in marinara sauce and Italian seasoning; cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until heated through.
Serve in a bowl, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired. Enjoy!
Sushi Rolls and Seaweed Snacks
Sushi Rolls and Seaweed Snacks are a fun and interactive way to introduce kids to the flavors of sushi while keeping it simple and healthy. These delightful bites are not only delicious but also visually appealing, making them perfect for a bento lunch. Kids can customize their rolls with various fillings, allowing them to explore their culinary creativity!
Rinse sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then cook according to package instructions.
Once the rice is cooked, allow it to cool slightly and season with a bit of vinegar, sugar, and salt.
Lay a sheet of nori on a bamboo sushi mat, spread a thin layer of sushi rice over the nori, leaving a small border at the top.
Add a line of cucumber, carrot, avocado, and cream cheese (if using) across the center of the rice.
Using the mat, carefully roll the sushi tightly from the bottom to the top, sealing the edge with a little water.
Slice the roll into bite-sized pieces and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve with soy sauce for dipping and enjoy!
Sweet Treats Bento
Sweet Treats Bento is a delightful way to pack a variety of yummy dessert-inspired foods into a fun and colorful bento box. These treats can be enjoyed as snacks or desserts, making lunchtime a little sweeter for kids. From fruit skewers to homemade energy bites, there’s something for every sweet tooth!
