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A neatly arranged assortment of field trip lunches including a bento box with blueberries and crackers, veggie sticks, turkey wrap sandwiches, pepperoni pizza slices, a thermos of soup, and a brown paper lunch bag.

Ultimate Field Trip Lunch Ideas for Every Occasion

This recipe card provides a comprehensive list of ultimate field trip lunch ideas, offering a variety of food options and essential packing tips to ensure a delicious and safe meal for any occasion.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 1 lunch
Calories: 600
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Sandwiches & Wraps
  • 1 sandwich Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches (or almond butter)
  • 1 sandwich Nutella Sandwiches
  • 1 sandwich Frozen Uncrustables
  • 1 sandwich Deli Meat Sandwiches (BLT, Turkey, Ham, Roast Beef)
  • 1 sandwich Chicken or Tuna Salad Sandwiches
  • 1 sandwich Grilled Cheese Sandwiches (eaten cold)
  • 1 bagel Bagels with Cream Cheese or Butter
  • 1 serving Cheese Roll-ups (with tortillas, optional deli meat/pepperoni)
  • 1 piece Pita Bread
Protein-Packed Options
  • 1 serving Beef Jerky
  • 1 pouch Tuna Pouches
  • 1 kit Chicken/Tuna Salad Kits
  • 1 bar Protein Bars
  • 1 egg Hard-Boiled Eggs
  • 1 serving Cubed Chicken
  • 1 stick/slice Cheese Sticks / Hard Cheeses
  • 1 cup Greek Yogurt
  • 1 serving Nuts (check school policy)
  • 2 tbsp Almond Butter or Peanut Butter
  • 1/2 cup Black Beans
Fruits & Vegetables
  • 1 serving Apples, Clementines, Grapes, Pomegranate Seeds, Blueberries, Bananas, Pears
  • 1 serving Baby Carrots, Grape Tomatoes, Sugar Snap Peas, Celery, Cucumber Slices
  • 1 serving Broccoli, Cauliflower
  • 1 bag Apple Chips
  • 1/4 cup Dried Fruits (e.g., pineapple)
Grains & Snacks
  • 1 bagel Bagels / Mini Bagels
  • 1 serving Breadsticks
  • 2 rolls Hawaiian Rolls
  • 1 bag Pretzels (Whole Grain)
  • 1 bag Goldfish Crackers
  • 1/2 cup Granola
  • 1 bar Granola Bars
  • 1 bag Popcorn
  • 1 muffin Muffins / Little Bites Mini Muffins
  • 1 bag Chips
  • 1 serving Whole Grain Crackers
  • 1 serving Whole Grain Pasta
Dips & Spreads
  • 1 cup Shelf-Stable Ranch Cups
  • 1/4 cup Hummus (for veggies)
Drinks & Desserts
  • 1 tube Gogurt Yogurt (freeze ahead)
  • 1 cup Sealed Fruit Cups
  • 1 box Juice Boxes
  • 1 carton Shelf-Stable Milk (room temp)
  • 1 bottle Disposable Water Bottle
  • 1 serving Cookies, Candy, Chocolate
Warm Lunch / Leftover Ideas
  • 1 slice Cold Pizza
  • 1 serving Macaroni and Cheese
  • 1 serving Leftover Meats (Chicken, Steak, Pork, Chicken Wings)
  • 1 serving Chicken Nuggets (microwaved)
  • 1 serving Chili
  • 1 serving Spaghetti and Meatballs
  • 1 serving Broccoli Cheddar Soup
  • 1 dog Hot Dogs
  • 1 serving Buttered Pasta
  • 1 serving Pizza Rolls / Bagel Bites
  • 1 serving Mashed Potatoes with Toppings
  • 1 serving Ravioli
  • 1 serving French Toast Sticks
  • 1 serving Scrambled Eggs
  • 1 serving Taco Meat, Pulled Pork, or Chicken (with bun/tortillas)
  • 1 serving Pork Fried Rice
  • 1 serving Chicken Casseroles
  • 1 serving Meatloaf
Fresh Produce
  • 1 serving Snap peas
  • 1 stalk Celery
  • 1 serving Broccoli
  • 1 serving Cauliflower
  • 1 serving Carrots
  • 1 serving Grape tomatoes
  • 1 serving Cucumbers
  • 1 each Apples
  • 1 each Clementines
  • 1 each Banana
  • 1 serving Grapes
  • 1 serving Blueberries
  • 1 serving Pomegranate seeds
  • 1 each Pears
Grains
  • 1 serving Whole grain pretzels
  • 1 serving Whole grain crackers
  • 1 serving Whole grain pasta
  • 1 serving Pita bread

Equipment

  • Thermos
  • Lunch Cooler Bag
  • Bento Box
  • Water Bottle

Method
 

Packing Tips
  1. Freeze uncrustables the night before to ensure they thaw by lunchtime.
  2. For Gogurt Yogurt, freeze the tubes overnight so they are thawed and ready to eat by lunch.
  3. If freezing disposable water bottles, open the seal slightly to allow for water expansion.
  4. To keep hot food warm, pre-heat a Thermos by filling it with boiling water for several minutes before adding your hot meal; the food will remain warm for up to 6 hours.
  5. Pack healthy school lunches "bento box style" by combining multiple whole foods in one container.
  6. Always include a water bottle for the field trip, choosing between disposable or reusable based on school policy.
  7. Remember to label all belongings, including coats, lunch bags, and water bottles.
  8. Consider adding cute lunch notes for elementary school children to brighten their day.

Notes

Freeze uncrustables and Gogurt overnight for thawing by lunchtime. When freezing water bottles, open the seal slightly to allow for expansion. Pre-heat a Thermos with boiling water before adding hot food to keep it warm for up to 6 hours. Consider packing lunches bento box style with various whole foods. Always remember to pack a water bottle and label all belongings. Cute lunch notes can be a nice touch for elementary school children.