Words by Larissa Sewell, @feastwithlarissa
My twin boys have been living the bento life since Kindy, and now that they’ve started high school, it’s still our go-to. There’s no pressure to make everything cohesive—cucumber slices can sit next to cheese, crackers, fresh fruit, and even last night’s meatballs. It’s the “build-a-box” approach that keeps things fun, fresh, and balanced. Plus, lots of little things encourage kids to try new foods without the stress of committing to a full serving.
Here are five of my family’s favourite, tried-and-tested, no-sandwich lunch ideas that keep things easy, healthy, and actually enjoyable.
1. The bento build-a-box
Our forever favourite. If you haven’t jumped on the bento bandwagon yet, now’s the time! It’s perfect for variety—meaning less chance of your kid bringing half of it home untouched. A typical bento for my boys might include:
- Sliced meats and cheese cubes
- Crackers or a small bun
- Fresh fruit (bonus points for cute food picks—googly eyes in a strawberry = instant joy)
- Veggie sticks—baby cucumbers, carrots, snow peas
- A homemade (or more often than not, store-bought) baked treat
Japanese-style bento accessories make lunches more exciting—think animal-shaped food picks, mini silicone cups, and fun-shaped cutters for fruit and cheese. Our go-to bento boxes? Yumbox, Bentgo, and Seed & Sprout for a stainless-steel option.
2. Sushi rolls & triangle rice parcels
Sushi for school lunch? So much easier than you think! My kids love triangle sushi parcels (onigiri in Japan, samgak kimbap in Korea)—the perfect handheld lunch, easy to eat, and quick to make.
Favourite fillings:
- Tuna + mayo
- Corn + kewpie mayo
- Chicken + avocado
- Plain rice with furikake seasoning
Make them the night before, wrap them up, and pop them in the fridge. You can even buy wraps at Asian grocery stores that keep the seaweed separate until lunchtime, ensuring crispness. Just remember: cooked rice shouldn’t be left at room temp too long—store it cold until eaten.
3. Food flasks for hot (or cold!) lunches
Some days, a hot lunch just hits differently—especially in winter. A good-quality food flask keeps meals warm until lunchtime (or cold, if you’re packing, say, a pasta salad or yogurt). My pick? HydroFlask food jars—they actually keep food hot.
Easy hot flask ideas:
- Leftover pasta (spag bol, mac & cheese, pesto pasta)
- Fried rice with egg, veggies, and soy sauce
- Soup (chicken noodle, pumpkin, minestrone)
- Hot dumplings (a total lunchbox flex)
But food flasks aren’t just for hot food—they’re great for summer too. Chill the flask in the fridge overnight, or if you’re like me and forget, pop it in the freezer for 10 minutes before filling.
Easy cold flask ideas:
- Fruit salad (try frozen grapes—they’re delish!)
- Cold pasta salad (pesto + chicken, tuna + mayo, or tomato + bocconcini)
- Chicken salad with lettuce, cucumber, and a little yogurt dressing
Heat food in the morning, pour boiling water into the flask to preheat (or ice water for cold meals), then tip it out and add the food. Done!
4. Easy baked goodies
Baked snacks = lifesavers. Freeze them ahead of time for those inevitable Sunday night “I forgot to buy lunch stuff” moments (just me?). My go-to? Savory scrolls.
Fillings can be as simple as:
- Ham + cheese
- Spinach + feta
- Pizza-style (tomato sauce, salami + mozzarella)
Other great bake-ahead options:
- Savoury muffins (cheese + corn, sundried tomato + feta)
- Mini frittatas (egg + cheese + veggies, baked in muffin tins)
Make a batch, wrap ‘em up, freeze individually, and grab one in the morning—it’ll be defrosted by lunchtime.
5. The dippy box
For snacky eaters, this one’s a winner. Instead of one “main” meal, pack a variety of dip-able goodies with a fun sauce. It’s interactive, keeps things interesting, and is perfect for picky eaters.
Dippers:
- Grilled chicken strips, mini sausages, or falafel
- Carrot & cucumber sticks, snow peas, baby capsicums
- Mini pita, pretzels, or crackers
- Boiled eggs or cheese cubes
Dips:
- Hummus
- Guacamole
- French onion dip
- Yogurt + herb dip
Rotate different elements so it never feels repetitive. Feeling extra? Sprinkle sesame seeds or chopped chives on the dip to make it look gourmet. Or don’t. You do you!
The key to stress-free (and sandwich-free!) lunches? Keep it fun, keep it flexible. There’s no ‘right way’ to pack a lunchbox, but I swear by variety, colour, and fun little details.
A good lunchbox should be balanced—protein, healthy carbs, fruit & veg, and something just for fun. And if your kids are like mine and sometimes just want the crackers and ignore the rest? That’s okay too. The goal isn’t Pinterest perfection—it’s making food enjoyable. Because no one, especially not 10-year-old me in 1994, wants to open their lunchbox to a sad, soggy sandwich.
Ironically, the twinnies sometimes say, “Mum… can we just have a sandwich?” And honestly? It kills me a little inside.
Let’s swap lunch ideas! Find me on Instagram: @feastwithlarissa
