13 Quick Summer Lunches for Toddlers
on Jun 04, 2025
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When the summer heat is on and your toddler is extra wiggly, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in a hot kitchen. These quick summer lunches are designed to keep things simple—without sacrificing nutrition or flavor. Whether you’re home for the day, packing a lunch for camp, or need something fast between activities, these ideas are healthy, kid-approved, and come together in minutes.
From no-cook favorites to fun finger foods and hydrating meals that help beat the heat, this list is full of realistic options that busy parents can actually pull off. Plus, most of these are easy to prep ahead or mix and match based on what you already have on hand.
Jump To a Lunch Recipe:
Peanut Butter Strawberry Roll-Ups
Pea and Cream Cheese Pinwheels
Why These Quick Summer Lunches are Great for Kids
Quick and Easy: Toddlers don’t wait patiently when they’re hungry! Most of these lunches can be made in 20 minutes or less, perfect for when you need food now.
Minimal Cooking Required: Summer lunches should be low-effort. Many of these meals are no-cook or require just a few minutes on the stove.
Kid-Friendly Textures and Flavors: These meals are soft, easy to chew, and made with mild flavors that toddlers typically enjoy. Nothing too spicy, crunchy, or overwhelming.
Nutrient-Dense Options: Each lunch includes a balance of carbs, protein, and healthy fats to help keep toddlers full and energized for summer play.
Great for On-the-Go: Whether you’re headed to the park, the pool, or just outside in the backyard, many of these lunches can be packed up for a picnic or eaten outdoors.
Customizable for Picky Eaters: Swap ingredients, adjust textures, and use what your toddler already loves—most of these ideas are super flexible.
Veggie Orzo – Easy toddler lunch with hidden vegetables
This simple orzo dish is soft, flavorful, and loaded with finely chopped vegetables—perfect for toddlers learning to chew. It comes together quickly and can be served warm or chilled, making it a great option for summer lunches. Customize it with whatever veggies you have on hand, and stir in a little cheese or olive oil for extra flavor and healthy fats. This is one of our favorite quick summer lunches!
Try this Veggie Orzo – soft with hidden veggies!
Broccoli Cheese Pinwheels – Kid-friendly veggie snack or lunch
Flaky crescent dough wraps around melty cheese and finely chopped broccoli to create a toddler-friendly finger food that’s great warm or at room temp. These pinwheels are a fun way to get toddlers excited about eating veggies and are easy to pack for lunch or serve at home.
Make Broccoli Cheese Pinwheels – a fun summer toddler lunch!
3-Ingredient Chicken Nuggets – Healthy homemade chicken nuggets recipe
These easy homemade chicken nuggets use just three ingredients—ground chicken, egg, and mozzarella—and bake up tender and juicy. They’re free from fillers, packed with protein, and toddler-approved for both texture and flavor.
Serve these 3-Ingredient Chicken Nuggets – A toddler-friendly lunch idea!
Cheesy Carrot Tots – Baked veggie tots for toddlers
Carrot tots are soft on the inside, slightly crisp on the outside, and full of flavor thanks to shredded carrots and cheese. They’re a great way to add more veggies to your toddler’s plate without complaints—and they reheat well, too.
Try these Cheesy Carrot Tots – veggie-packed and toddler-sized!
PB&J Oat Cups – No-sugar peanut butter snack
These peanut butter and jelly oat cups are a simple version of the classic sandwich, but in a mess-free, toddler-friendly format. Made with whole oats and naturally sweetened, they’re perfect for little hands and big appetites. This is one of the easiest summer lunches for kids that I make.
Make PB&J Oat Cups – no added sugar, just fruit!
Spinach Muffins – Healthy toddler muffins with greens
These soft, banana-sweetened muffins are packed with blended spinach for a nutrient-dense snack that looks fun and tastes great. They’re freezer-friendly, naturally sweet, and a clever way to get toddlers used to green foods. This is one of my kids’ favorite quick summer lunches!
Bake these Spinach Muffins – sweet, green, and kid-approved.
Avocado Pasta – Dairy-free creamy pasta for kids
A silky, no-cook avocado sauce turns plain pasta into a creamy, satisfying lunch with healthy fats and fiber. It’s perfect for days when you need something fast, filling, and toddler-approved—and it comes together in less than 5 minutes.
Whip up some Avocado Pasta – creamy, no-cook avocado sauce.
Peanut Butter Strawberry Roll-Ups – Easy no-cook toddler lunch idea
These roll-ups are a fresh twist on the classic PB&J, using soft tortillas spread with peanut butter and filled with sliced strawberries. They’re quick to assemble, naturally sweet, and easy for toddlers to hold and chew. Great for warm summer days when you don’t want to cook.
Serve Peanut Butter Strawberry Roll-Ups – an easy summer meal for kids!
Pea and Cream Cheese Pinwheels – Simple baked lunch for toddlers
A smooth blend of peas and cream cheese makes a mild, creamy filling that’s perfect for little tastebuds. Spread it on a tortilla, roll it up, and slice into pinwheels for a simple, veggie-packed lunch that feels fun to eat and travels well in lunchboxes.
Make a batch of Pea & Cream Cheese Pinwheels – soft, mild veggie pinwheels.
Deep Dish Mini Pizzas – Muffin tin pizza for kids
Made in a muffin tin, these mini pizzas come out perfectly portioned and golden brown. You can customize them with any sauce or toppings your toddler likes, and they’re soft enough for little ones to bite into easily. A fun, hands-on lunch that’s always a hit.
Try some Deep Dish Mini Pizzas – muffin tin pizza made easy!
Carrot Chicken Nuggets – Hidden veggie chicken nuggets recipe
These homemade nuggets combine shredded carrot with ground chicken for a tender, flavorful bite that’s packed with nutrients. They bake up golden and are easy for toddlers to dip and eat—plus, they’re a great way to sneak in veggies without fuss.
Bake these Carrot Chicken Nuggets – protein and veggie in one.
5-Ingredient Cauliflower Mac and Cheese – Quick healthy mac and cheese
Creamy and satisfying, this version of mac and cheese includes pureed cauliflower blended right into the sauce. It’s a subtle way to work veggies into a classic dish without changing the familiar flavor toddlers love. Simple, cozy, and ready in minutes. This is one of my favorite quick summer lunches to make for my kids!
Whip up some Cauliflower Mac and Cheese – creamy hidden-veggie pasta.
Spinach Pesto – Homemade veggie pasta sauce for toddlers
This bright green pesto is made with spinach instead of basil, creating a mellow, nut-free sauce that’s perfect for toddlers. Toss it with your favorite pasta for a quick, flavorful lunch that sneaks in a generous serving of greens without the fight.
Try this Spinach Pesto – quick veggie sauce for pasta!
Let’s Stay Connected!
Whether you’re planning ahead or need a quick lunch fix, these healthy toddler lunches for summer break are perfect for warm days and hungry little tummies!
If your toddlers love any of my kids’ favorite breakfast recipes I would love to hear about it! Tag me @reallittlemeals so I can hear about all of your delicious creations!
Check out these easy breakfast ideas if you’re needing some inspiration!
