15 Back to School Bento Box Ideas

I’ll admit it—I’m a little obsessed with bento boxes. There’s something so satisfying about opening that tidy container at lunchtime and seeing everything perfectly portioned, colorful, and inviting.

But you don’t have to be a Pinterest mom to pull it off! Bento boxes are actually one of the easiest ways to pack lunches that look fun, taste great, and help you sneak in a little more variety (and maybe even a vegetable or two).

This collection of 15 bento box ideas is designed for real life—no fancy cutters or time-consuming recipes. Just simple, fresh combinations you can prep in minutes on a busy school morning.

Whether your kids love sandwiches, wraps, or snack-style lunches, these ideas will save you time and keep little tummies happy. Let’s get started with the first 7 bentos that prove lunch can be both easy and exciting!

---

1. Turkey & Cheese Roll-Up Bento

Description:
This classic combo never disappoints—bite-sized turkey and cheese roll-ups, plus crunchy sides for balance.

Ingredients:

• 4 slices deli turkey
• 2 slices cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup baby carrots
• 1/2 cup grapes
• Whole grain crackers

Instructions:

1. Lay turkey slices flat.
2. Place half a cheese slice on each and roll up tightly.
3. Slice each roll into 2–3 pieces.
4. Arrange roll-ups in one bento section.
5. Add carrots, grapes, and crackers in separate compartments.

---

2. DIY Mini Bagel Pizza Bento

Description:
Little bagels turn into no-cook pizza that kids build themselves—fun and customizable!

Ingredients:

• 2 mini plain bagels, split
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/4 cup mini pepperoni
• Baby spinach (optional)

Instructions:

1. Place bagel halves in one bento compartment.
2. Spoon marinara into a small leak-proof container.
3. Fill another container with mozzarella and pepperoni.
4. If using, add baby spinach in a separate spot.
5. Pack everything so kids can assemble at lunch.

---

3. Hummus & Veggie Snack Bento

Description:
Creamy hummus pairs perfectly with fresh veggies and pita chips—great for dipping and munching.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup hummus
• 1/2 cup baby carrots
• 1/2 cup cucumber sticks
• 1/2 cup bell pepper strips
• Pita chips

Instructions:

1. Spoon hummus into a small container with a lid.
2. Arrange carrots, cucumbers, and peppers in one section.
3. Add pita chips to a dry compartment to keep them crisp.
4. Seal and refrigerate.

---

4. Breakfast for Lunch Bento

Description:
Who says you can’t have breakfast in the middle of the day? This bento is packed with morning favorites.

Ingredients:

• 2 mini waffles (frozen or store-bought)
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 hard-boiled egg
• 1/2 cup mixed berries
• String cheese

Instructions:

1. Place mini waffles in one section.
2. Pour syrup into a small container with a tight lid.
3. Peel and pack the egg in another section.
4. Add berries and string cheese.
5. Keep chilled until lunch.

---

5. Chicken Salad & Crackers Bento

Description:
Savory chicken salad served with crackers makes for a protein-rich, scoopable lunch.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked rotisserie chicken, chopped
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper
• Whole grain crackers
• 1/2 cup apple slices

Instructions:

1. Mix chicken, mayo, mustard, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Spoon chicken salad into a compartment.
3. Add crackers in a dry section.
4. Arrange apple slices in another compartment.
5. Seal and chill.

---

6. Sunflower Butter & Banana Roll-Up Bento

Description:
A sweet and nut-free bento that feels like a treat but packs healthy energy.

Ingredients:

• 1 large tortilla
• 2 tablespoons sunflower seed butter
• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup baby carrots
• 1/2 cup pretzels

Instructions:

1. Lay tortilla flat.
2. Spread evenly with sunflower butter.
3. Place banana on one edge and roll up.
4. Slice into pinwheels.
5. Arrange in a compartment with carrots and pretzels in others.

---

7. Cheese, Ham & Fruit Kabob Bento

Description:
Lunch on a stick! These kabobs make eating lunch fun and interactive.

Ingredients:

• 4 slices deli ham
• 4 cubes cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup grapes
• Whole grain crackers

Instructions:

1. Fold ham slices into squares.
2. Thread ham, cheese, and grapes onto short skewers or toothpicks.
3. Arrange kabobs in a bento section.
4. Add crackers in a separate compartment.

8. Greek Yogurt Parfait Bento

Description:
This parfait bento feels like a special treat but is loaded with protein and fruit.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup fresh berries
• 1/4 cup nut-free granola
• 1/2 cup baby carrots
• 1/2 cup pretzel twists

Instructions:

1. Spoon yogurt into a leak-proof container.
2. Top with fresh berries.
3. Pack granola separately to stay crisp.
4. Arrange carrots and pretzels in compartments.
5. Keep chilled until lunchtime.

---

9. DIY Taco Bento Box

Description:
Make-your-own tacos in a lunchbox—no reheating required!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked shredded chicken
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 4 mini flour tortillas
• 1/2 cup corn chips

Instructions:

1. Place chicken in a compartment.
2. Spoon salsa into a small sealed container.
3. Add shredded cheese in another section.
4. Stack tortillas in a separate compartment.
5. Pack corn chips for crunch.

---

10. Veggie Cream Cheese Pinwheel Bento

Description:
Colorful pinwheels with crunchy veggies and smooth cream cheese make lunch feel extra special.

Ingredients:

• 1 large tortilla
• 2 tablespoons cream cheese
• 1/4 cup shredded carrots
• 1/4 cup baby spinach
• 1/4 cup bell pepper strips
• 1/2 cup grapes

Instructions:

1. Lay tortilla flat and spread with cream cheese.
2. Sprinkle evenly with carrots, spinach, and peppers.
3. Roll up tightly into a log.
4. Slice into pinwheels.
5. Arrange pinwheels in one compartment and grapes in another.

---

11. Mini Sandwich & Snack Bento

Description:
Mini sandwiches plus crunchy sides to keep little tummies satisfied.

Ingredients:

• 2 slider rolls
• 2 slices deli turkey
• 2 slices cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup cucumber slices
• 1/2 cup animal crackers

Instructions:

1. Split slider rolls.
2. Layer turkey and cheese inside each roll.
3. Pack sandwiches in a section.
4. Arrange cucumber slices and animal crackers in separate compartments.

---

12. Caprese Skewer Bento

Description:
Fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and tender chicken on skewers—like a mini picnic in a box.

Ingredients:

• 4 cooked chicken tenders, cut into chunks
• 8 cherry tomatoes
• 8 mini mozzarella balls
• Small skewers
• Whole grain crackers

Instructions:

1. Thread chicken, tomato, and mozzarella onto skewers.
2. Repeat to make multiple kabobs.
3. Arrange in a bento compartment.
4. Add crackers in another section.
5. Keep chilled until lunchtime.

---

13. No-Cook Pasta Salad Bento

Description:
This pasta salad uses pre-cooked noodles to make morning prep a breeze.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked rotini pasta (chilled)
• 1/4 cup diced cucumber
• 1/4 cup halved cherry tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Italian dressing
• 1 string cheese, cut into pieces

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine pasta, cucumber, and tomatoes.
2. Toss with Italian dressing.
3. Spoon pasta salad into a compartment.
4. Add string cheese pieces in a separate section.

---

14. Breakfast Muffin & Fruit Bento

Description:
A wholesome muffin pairs perfectly with fruit and yogurt for a balanced lunch.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole grain muffin (store-bought or homemade)
• 1/2 cup strawberries
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup granola

Instructions:

1. Place muffin in one compartment.
2. Spoon yogurt into a sealed container.
3. Pack granola separately.
4. Arrange strawberries in another section.

---

15. PB&J Sushi Roll Bento (Nut-Free Option)

Description:
These cute “sushi” rolls are made with nut butter and jelly—so much fun to eat!

Ingredients:

• 1 large tortilla
• 2 tablespoons sunflower seed butter or peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons jelly
• 1/2 cup baby carrots
• 1/2 cup pretzels

Instructions:

1. Lay tortilla flat.
2. Spread evenly with nut or sunflower butter.
3. Top with jelly.
4. Roll up tightly into a log.
5. Slice into rounds.
6. Pack rolls in a compartment with carrots and pretzels on the side.