Making school lunches day in and day out can be a lesson in frustration for both the maker and the eater. As the new school year starts, consider some fresh ideas to make school lunches more interesting and appealing.

Sliders

Instead of a plain ol’ sandwich, make 2-3 sliders for each child on Hawaiian rolls. Your kids will love the sweet bread, and you can make different types of sandwiches, so they have a variety—maybe one with turkey and cheddar slider and one with ham and Swiss.

Photography: King's Hawaiian

Meat and Cheese Rollups

Divide string cheese sticks in half lengthwise and then roll them up into slices of turkey, roast beef or ham. If your kids like mayo or mustard, you can spread a thin layer on the meat before wrapping it around the cheese. Secure with a frilly toothpick, and voila!

Photography: Pinterest/Noshing with the Nolands

Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich

If you’ve worn out the PBJ idea, mix it up by subbing sliced bananas or even blueberries for the jelly or jam. Your kids will appreciate the changeup, and the bread won’t get as soggy as it does from jelly.

Hummus

If your kid is a hummus eater, use a bento box-type container with hummus and a variety of accompaniments. Pretzels, pita chips and carrot sticks are particularly delicious hummus dippers.

Photography: Pinterest/My Artist's Home

Smoothie

A thermos will keep cold food cold, just as well as it keeps hot food hot. Take advantage of this by making your child a fruit smoothie to take to school made of refreshing strawberries blueberries! You could even sneak in some nuts or spinach leaves for extra nutrition.

Photography: Amazon

Charcuterie

Maybe your kid would like charcuterie in a box. Ideas: rolled-up salami slices (spread with mascarpone or cream cheese if you like), cubed cheese, grapes, olives, crackers—whatever your child will eat.

Photography: Tara's Multicultural Table

Skewers

Give your kids the usual bits of yumminess they eat on the regular, but make them more interesting by threading them on a stick. First, soak the skewers in water for about 15 minutes so they don’t splinter. Then add cherry tomatoes, cheese cubes, deli meat, cucumber slices, olives, strawberries, orange slices or whatever else your kids like.

Photography: Pinterest/hello, Wonderful | Creative Living With Kids