Easy DIY Lunchables Bento Box for Kids

If your kids love Lunchables, why not make a homemade version that’s easy to customize and packed with fresh ingredients? This DIY Lunchables bento box combines cheese, crackers, beef sticks, colorful vegetables, fresh fruit, and a small sweet treat into a balanced lunch that’s both fun and filling.

One of the best parts about making your own Lunchables is that you control the ingredients. You can add more protein, include fresh produce, and customize everything to match your child’s favorite foods.

Build Your Own Homemade Lunchables

The main compartment of today’s lunch includes everything needed to build homemade cracker stacks.

I used:

Heart-shaped Colby Jack cheese
Round crackers
Beef sticks

Using a small cookie cutter to cut the cheese into hearts only takes a minute, but it makes the lunch feel much more special.

You can swap in:

Cheddar cheese
Swiss cheese
Pepper Jack
Turkey slices
Ham cubes
Turkey pepperoni
Salami

Kids love building their own little cracker sandwiches at lunchtime.

Fresh Bell Peppers with Ranch

Adding vegetables to lunch doesn’t have to be complicated.

Today’s lunch includes red, orange, and green bell pepper strips with a small serving of ranch dressing for dipping.

Other vegetables that work well include:

Baby carrots
Cucumbers
Snap peas
Celery
Cherry tomatoes

A favorite dip often encourages kids to eat more vegetables.

Fresh Apricots

Fresh apricots add natural sweetness and a bright pop of color.

I sliced them into wedges to make them easier to eat.

Other seasonal fruit options include:

Strawberries
Grapes
Apples
Blueberries
Nectarines
Peaches

Sweet Treat

Every once in a while it’s fun to include a small dessert.

Today’s lunch includes two small cookies, giving this homemade Lunchables lunch a fun finishing touch without overwhelming the healthier foods.

Other treat ideas include:

Graham crackers
Animal crackers
Mini cookies
Pretzels dipped in chocolate

Why We Love Homemade Lunchables

This lunch is:

Ready in about 10 minutes
Higher in protein than many packaged lunches
Easy to customize
Great for picky eaters
Packed with fresh vegetables and fruit
Less expensive than buying pre-made Lunchables

Making your own Lunchables gives you complete control over the ingredients while still keeping lunchtime fun.

Build Your Own DIY Lunchables

Protein

Beef sticks
Turkey
Ham
Turkey pepperoni
Salami

Cheese

Colby Jack
Cheddar
Swiss
Mozzarella
Pepper Jack

Crackers

Ritz
Butter crackers
Whole wheat crackers
Club crackers

Vegetables

Bell peppers
Cucumbers
Baby carrots
Snap peas

Fruit

Apricots
Grapes
Apples
Strawberries
Blueberries

Dip

Ranch
Hummus
Greek yogurt ranch

Treat

Cookies
Graham crackers
Fruit snacks
Mini muffins

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I put in a homemade Lunchables?

A homemade Lunchables lunch usually includes crackers, cheese, protein, fresh fruit, vegetables, and a small dessert or snack.

Are homemade Lunchables healthier?

They can be! Making your own lets you choose fresher ingredients, reduce sodium if desired, and include more fruits and vegetables.

What crackers work best?

Ritz, Club Crackers, whole wheat crackers, and butter crackers are all great choices.

Can I make this lunch the night before?

Yes! Assemble everything except the crackers the evening before. Add the crackers in the morning to keep them crisp.

Be sure to check out our other Bento Box lunches for more fun lunch ideas!