Even though school is over, you will find yourself in need of even more healthy lunch ideas to keep your kids going all summer, especially if they’re attending summer camp.
Kids need all the nutrients they can get while enjoying a lively day at summer camp. They will be engaged in many different activities throughout the day and will need the fuel to keep them going. By packing your child healthy, nutritious lunches and snacks, you will help fill them up for long hot days in the sun.
To make setting up lunches easier, we recommend purchasing one of those lunchboxes with different compartments to help keep everything separate. This is also a great way to incorporate different elements into the lunch.
If you have run out of ideas, or just want to change up your lunch-making game, we have eight summer camp lunch ideas that are sure to be a crowd-pleaser:
Lunch Idea #1: Peanut Butter Apple Wraps
Even if your child isn’t the biggest fan of fruits and vegetables, hiding them in this peanut butter apple wrap will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. That’s why this yummy meal tops our list of healthy summer camp lunch ideas.
To make this, spread some peanut butter on a pita. Then top it off with chunks of apple and some shredded carrots. The carrots add an extra crunch that your child will hardly notice.
Of course, if your child is allergic to peanut butter, or would rather a different spread, you can use seed butter. This healthy lunch option is totally customizable so have fun with it and don’t be scared to change it up!
Lunch Idea #2: Waffle Sticks and Fruit
You can give your child a nice treat while still keeping things healthy. To make this lunch idea, toast some waffles and then cut them up into sticks. Place these in the large compartment of the lunchbox along with a small container of maple syrup for dipping.
In the small compartments add some fruit that your child enjoys. Grapes, pineapple, cantaloupe, and berries are all great options to accompany the waffle sticks.
Lunch Idea #3: Hard-Boiled Eggs
Eggs are one of those foods that are jam-packed with protein and can be made so many different ways, hard boil some eggs and cut them into slices.
Pair this lunch with carrot and celery sticks and some hummus for dipping. If your child doesn’t like hummus you can pair this lunch with chips and salsa instead. The possibilities are endless so have fun and feel free to customize this to suit your child’s taste.
Lunch Idea #4: Strawberry and Cream Cheese Sandwich
For this healthy lunch option, combine light cream cheese with honey and orange zest in a bowl. Next, spread whole wheat bread with the cheese mixture. Then, place sliced strawberries on one side of the bread and top with the other.
If your child has never had this yummy sandwich before, they are in for a treat!
Lunch Idea #5: Burrito Bowls
Who doesn’t love burritos? In this healthy lunch option, your child can enjoy a burrito without the pita, making it even healthier.
Place tortilla chips in one compartment, salsa in another, and the rice, beans, corn, and other toppings in the main area.
This is a great way to get rid of leftovers and is totally customizable based on what ingredients you have on hand.
Lunch Idea #6: Teriyaki Chicken Bowl
Another bowl idea is teriyaki chicken. You can easily make this for dinner and then send your child off to summer camp with the leftovers.
All you need to do is marinade chicken for 30 minutes or so then cook it in chunks for about three minutes on each side in a skillet. The marinade turns into a yummy sauce. Spread this over a bed of rice and you’re good to go!
Lunch Idea #7: Avocado Chicken Salad Wrap
Avocado is one of those items that’s healthy but works well in a variety of dishes. For this simple yet healthy lunch, whip up some avocado chicken salad and then spread it over a pita. Cut the wrap in half to make eating it even easier.
You can add some different sides like tortilla chips, berries, grapes, or small crackers.
Your child will enjoy this lunch without even noticing how healthy it is!
Lunch Idea #8: Cucumber Sandwich
For a healthy lunch that will also be refreshing after a morning in the sun, make your child a cucumber sandwich!
To make this healthy lunch, top whole-grain bread with a thin layer of goat cheese and cucumber slices. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the cucumber for added taste.
You can opt to leave this as an open-face sandwich or a complete sandwich by topping it off with another piece of bread. Easy and nutritious!
We hope these eight healthy lunch ideas give you some inspiration for what to pack for your child’s summer camp lunches.
