July 29, 2025

Back to School Lunches for Kids K-8

Ohhhhhh my, can you believe schools have started back up or are about to?! Teachers are prepping for the 2025-26 school year at Douglas County schools, and Looking Glass students are gearing up for school life in Parker! Residents with school-age children attending Legacy Point Elementary School, Sagewood Middle School and/or Ponderosa High School are already gathering supplies, new wardrobes and sports gear in anticipation of what promises to be an exciting year.

For moms and dads who prepare school lunches for kids K-8 and never seem to have enough new ideas, here are loads of choices for fun, nutritious meals with plenty of fuel for brain and body power! And if you’d like to see the school district’s choices for school-prepared lunches for your K-8th graders at schools in Parker, check out these menus for Legacy and Sagewood!

1. DIY Sandwich Kebabs

Cut sandwiches into fun shapes using cookie cutters and thread them onto skewers with cherry tomatoes, cheese cubes, and pieces of deli meat or grilled chicken. More recipe inspiration here, including itsy-bitsy PB&J pinwheels to skewer!

2. Mini Pita Pockets

Fill whole-wheat mini pitas with hummus and shredded veggies, turkey and cheese, or egg salad. Depending on your child’s palate, you might find some delectable pita meals here, or check out one of these mini pita recipes from Super Healthy Kids.

3. Pasta Salad Bowls

Toss cooked whole wheat or veggie pasta with diced veggies, small cubes of cheese, beans or chicken, and a light vinaigrette. See more pasta salad ideas at My Fussy Eater!

4. Roll-Ups and Pinwheels

Spread cream cheese, sunbutter, or hummus on whole wheat tortillas. Add veggies, deli meat, or grated carrots, then roll up and slice into pinwheels. And for a few more mouth-watering recipes, click over to One Crazy House for roll-ups that can double as appetizers for the more mature eaters in YOUR house.

5. Breakfast-for-Lunch

Pack homemade mini pancakes or waffles with a side of yogurt and berries. Add a small container of maple syrup for dipping and a hard-boiled egg for extra protein. 

6. Dunkers and Taquitos

From Ree Drummond/The Pioneer Woman, check out her scrummy lunch ideas that will make kids happy and adult mouths water. Like the adorable treat popular in the ’90s, reimagined with animal-shaped cookies and marshmallow fluff frosting. Or Ree’s leftover crunchy taquitos made with leftover shredded beef and packed with a side of guacamole (or ranch dressing) for dipping!

7. Savory Muffins and Frittatas

Goodie Goodie has three muffin-frittata recipes for your hungry student, one with corn, one with bacon, tomato and chives and one with potatoes and smoked salmon (!).  Try one or check out these other savory muffin ideas here.

8. Taco Cups

Another winner from Sarah Scoop, these taco cups that layer baked wonton wrappers, shredded cheese, and diced tomatoes with guacamole. 

9. Sushi-Inspired Snacks

Make this kid-friendly sushi with rice krispie treats, fruit leather, fresh fruit for your kiddos (or with them!). This no-bake sweet “sushi” is a fun lunchbox treat and introduces young ones to the idea of Japanese cuisine. For more kid-friendly “sushi” recipes, check out the ideas at Ichisushi.com.

10. Lunchbox-palooza

From homemade “Lunchables” and “Uncrustables” to protein snack boxes Unexpectedly Domestic comes up with a variety of lunch ideas (some of which require a microwave reheat for the tastiest option, i.e., the homemade grilled chicken nuggets, and mac and cheese bites. Or try these 17 ideas from Savvy Mama, OR, here’s a month of lunches kids will actually eat – The Every Mom’s list of 30 sure-fire winners!

Back to School at Looking Glass

Living in the new home community of Looking Glass offers access to Douglas County Schools’ amazing teachers, curriculum and activities. The neighborhoods are close-knit AND welcoming to new residents and the amenities here just keep proliferating with parks, for people and dogs, pickleball courts, and next year a pool for summer fun.

Visit the stunning models from new home builders: Dream Finders, D.R. Horton, and Taylor Morrison for a new home design that will perfectly fit your family!