That seems to be the eternal question when all the kids go back to school. If your kids are anything like mine they always want something more than just a PB and J sandwich. So for those of you that need alternate ideas here are some that have been very successful with my kids and others. Most of the ideas are easy and make ahead (night before), because if your mornings are anything like mine you generally don't have a ton of time to make lunches in the morning. Bonus; the majority of the ideas will work great for adult at work lunches too. 
ROLL-UPS- There are a variety of roll-ups you can do, it will all depend on what your kids like and will eat. The basics of all roll ups are: the "bread" typically a tortilla, naan, or pita bread. The sauce-hummus, cream cheese spread(flavored or plain), marinara, pesto, etc. Finally the insides. Some fan favorites are:
Veggie delights- take a "bread" of any variety, add cream cheese spread-garden veggie is great or plain (you can even use hummus if your kids like it.), then all your favorite veggies. Typically we put spinach, bell peppers, pepperocinis, carrots, cucumbers, and olives (or any combination of the above.)
Pizza pinwheels- take a "bread" add marinara or pizza sauce then all your favorite toppings and cheese. Warm it in the microwave so the cheese is melted, then roll it. Cut it into bite sized pieces. You can make it the night before and then warm it up and wrap it in tin foil to keep it warm until lunch.
Meat and Cheese- sometimes having a deli sandwich as a rollup is different enough that the kids won't complain and they will enjoy it a little more.
Sushi rolls-or as my husband and his family say "nodi". If your kids like sushi then this will definitely be a treat for them. To make it like my husbands grandma, all she did was take some seaweed and wrap it around rice that had been mixed with some soy sauce and a little salt and pepper. You can also add veggies or some meat to it.
TIP:make sure not to use too much of whatever spread as it will make your rollup soggy. A little goes a long way.
LUNCHABLES- instead of buying them make them at home for much cheaper and healthier options. The basics are take some crackers-Ritz, Wheat thins, Club, etc. and then whatever toppings your kids would like. Some favorites are:
Meat and Cheese- you don't need to cut it into circles or squares (unless you really want to). For the meat just pack a couple of slices of deli meat cut into strips (or you can just let your kids rip it into strips at school) and for the cheese there are a few options, you could do string cheese, pre-cut cheese slices, block cheese that you slice your self or there are snack cheeses that are already packed in individual packages.
Pizza- pack favorite toppings or keep it easy and just pack the pepperoni or ham with cheese.I think this goes best with a Ritz type cracker but use whatever you have on hand.
PB&J or Honey-for a change up my kids really like these. Just make them like you would the sandwich but use crackers instead. It makes it more fun and a little less "boring".
TIP:Pack enough mini sandwiches to fill them (about 4-6)
SKEWERS-deconstruct your kids lunch and put it all on a skewer. Who doesn't love to eat things off of a big toothpick?
SALADS- most kids I know enjoy salads and they are an easy thing to pack for lunch, especially pasta salads. They are yummy and filling. One favorite is a Mexican pasta salad. Take rotini pasta(tri-colored for extra fun) cook it up then mix it with black beans, cherry tomatoes, corn, (chicken chunks if you desire) and an avocado ranch dressing or a creamy salsa dressing. Pack some tortilla chips with it and the kids can crush them up on top.
PITA POCKETS-my kids love having their sandwiches in pita pockets. Something about putting it in a "pocket" makes it extra yummy-at least that is what they say. Make it interesting too. Don't just do deli style sandwiches. My kids favorite is chicken salad but they like other ones too like broccoli slaw mixed in Italian dressing or even do an asian dressing or teriyaki sauce and some canned chicken. You could also make a cream cheese sandwich with sliced fruits such as strawberries, bananas (good with honey nut cream cheese spread), apples. etc.
BREAKFAST-Who doesn't love breakfast anytime of the day. Some schools even serve it for lunch occasionally. Whenever I make breakfast foods (pancakes, french toast, waffles) whatever leftovers I have I freeze. This is what I pack in my kids lunches. I will warm it in the toaster the night before, because if you just let it defrost it will be soggy when they go to eat it at lunch. Make sure to pack some syrup or jam to go on top. You can also do breakfast burritos just make sure to warm them in the microwave in the morning and then wrap in tin foil to keep them warm until lunch. Muffins are another great one to send. Leave them frozen and by lunch they will be thawed and not soggy. Last but not least, cereal cups. Just send them with a thermos of milk to drink and pour over their cereal. Kids love it!
THERMOS- when the weather turns cool kids like to have something warm and comforting to eat too. Some tricks I have learned in the past is put boiling hot water in the thermos while you warm up whatever you are going to put in there. It preheats the thermos bottle so that it will help keep the food warm, sometimes even hot until lunch. One thing I have found, though, is if you do something with noodles, you need to be careful because they can become soggy. For mac and cheese I will VERY CAREFULLY wipe out the moisture from the preheat boiling water and then add the Mac and cheese. It stays warm and doesn't get soggy. If your kids like the ramen noodle soups, the best way to do it is to preheat the thermos, break the noodles so they fit, pour the hot water on top. They will be cooked and warm but not soggy. If you cook it before hand and then put it in the thermos with the liquid the noodles get very soggy and unappetizing. You can use a thermos to keep meat for tacos, hot dogs, spaghetti and meatballs and many more things warm.
SNACKS- Mix it up. Instead of always sending chips, add veggies, fruit, popcorn, crackers-like gold fish, pretzels, fruit leather, trail mix, etc . If you pack veggies or fruit send them with a dip like a yogurt dip or dressings. It always makes it more fun to eat when you can dip them. With the popcorn sprinkle it with different seasonings. My kids enjoy having yogurts in their lunch but if you have a roll up or other big part they never finish the yogurt so to avoid waste and save money it's best to either buy a big flavored yogurt or split a regular sized one between a couple of kids and send it in a lidded container. Dessert is a must for most kids just be size wise. We make desserts weekly in our house and that is what we send. My kids most of the time don't have dessert in their lunch because they like it better as an after school snack, but if it is in their lunch only send one cookie, or a small slice of brownie, etc.
DRINKS- there are all the typical ones like Kool-Aid Jammers. Capri-Suns, Hugs, etc. Some ways to mix it up is find good deals on small milks (plain or chocolate), 100% juices in small containers, or small 8oz. bottles of water-these are my kids favorite. When I send the waters, I will sometimes send them with a flavor packet or one of those flavor squeeze containers that way they can have a choice to drink it plain or spice it up with some flavor.
Hope this helps and your kids enjoy their lunches a little more this year. Let them in on the planning and making so they can be excited about it too.
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