Sandwiches for Kids

Sandwiches for kids are fun, easy, quick, delicious, and perfect for the littlest fingers. Some the kids can even make for themselves. So, get out the breads, the fillings, and condiments, and head for the kitchen for sandwiches that are sure to please even the biggest of kids.

Sandwiches for Kids Ideas

Here are a few simple sandwich ideas for kids, complete with bread and filling suggestions. Simple is always best and presentation always helps to entice picky appetites. So, start with the ingredients you know your little ones like, then cut the bread into fun shapes, then add colorful sides like carrot sticks and strawberries. 

1. Peanut Butter and Jelly:

• Bread: Whole wheat
• Filling: Peanut butter and grape jelly

2. Ham and Cheese:

• Bread: White
• Filling: Sliced ham and cheddar cheese

3. Turkey and Avocado:

• Bread: Multigrain
• Filling: Sliced turkey and mashed avocado

4. Tuna Salad:

• Bread: Whole wheat
• Filling: Tuna salad with celery and mayonnaise

5. Egg Salad:

• Bread: White
• Filling: Egg salad with a touch of mustard and mayonnaise

6. Chicken Salad:

• Bread: Ciabatta
• Filling: Chicken salad with grapes and walnuts

7. Grilled Cheese:

• Bread: Sourdough
• Filling: Cheddar cheese slices, grilled to perfection

8. Cucumber and Cream Cheese:

• Bread: Rye
• Filling: Sliced cucumbers and cream cheese

9. BLT (Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato):

• - Bread: White
• - Filling: Bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise

10. Hummus and Veggie:

• Bread: Pita
• Filling: Hummus, sliced cucumbers, and bell peppers

11. Peanut Butter and Banana:

• Bread: Whole wheat
• Filling: Peanut butter and sliced bananas

12. Chicken Caesar Wrap:

• Bread: Tortilla wrap
• Filling: Grilled chicken, romaine lettuce, and Caesar dressing

13. Roast Beef and Swiss:

• Bread: Kaiser roll
• Filling: Sliced roast beef and Swiss cheese

14. Apple and Cheese:

• Bread: Multigrain
• Filling: Apple slices and cheddar cheese

15. Veggie and Hummus Wrap:

• Bread: Tortilla wrap
• Filling: Hummus, lettuce, shredded carrots, and bell peppers

16. Sun Butter and Honey:

• Bread: Whole wheat
• Filling: Sunflower seed butter and honey

17. Pizza Sandwich:

• Bread: Ciabatta
• Filling: Tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni slices

18. Salami and Provolone:

• Bread: Italian
• Filling: Salami and provolone cheese

19. Turkey and Cranberry:

• Bread: Whole wheat
• Filling: Sliced turkey and cranberry sauce

20. Nutella and Strawberry:

• Bread: White
• Filling: Nutella and sliced strawberries

Use these ideas to spark some inspiration for your kids' lunches (or dinners, or desserts)! And as I mentioned above, only start with the ingredients you know your kids love and will eat.

Save the new ingredients when they are more receptive to trying them. Not when they are hungry, tired, or irritable. Choose your battles, or should I say time your battles, for when you're more likely to win.

A Few Kids Sandwich Making Rules:

If you're new to creating sandwiches for kids, remember it can actually be fun and not a source of frustration. Learn to make nutritious sandwiches by keeping a few simple rules in mind:

1. Choose Nutritious Ingredients: Use whole grain or whole wheat breads if your children will eat them. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats to ensure a well-balanced diet.

2. Avoid Allergens: Be mindful of common food allergies such as peanuts, dairy, or gluten, especially when a single child has allergies or sensitivities. Always check with parents or guardians if you're making sandwiches for kids who aren't your own.

3. Make It Fun and Engaging: Use cookie cutters to create fun shapes or arrange ingredients into smiley faces. This makes the sandwich more visually appealing and encourages even the pickiest kids to eat.

4. Opt for Easy-to-Eat Portions: Cut sandwiches into smaller, manageable pieces that are easier for little hands to handle. This will help reduce the mess as well as waste.

5. Minimize Processed Ingredients: Limit the use of highly processed foods and opt for fresh, whole ingredients whenever possible. Read those labels if you must occasionally buy minimally processed ingredients. Otherwise, actual whole food is better.

6. Include a Variety of Textures and Flavors: Think variety - a mix of crunchy and soft textures or sweet and savory flavors can make sandwiches more exciting and enjoyable for your little ones.

7. Ensure Safety and Hygiene: Always wash hands and surfaces thoroughly, and store ingredients properly to prevent any foodborne illnesses. Stress cleanliness when your kids are helping to prepare their own sandwiches.

8. Balance the Fillings: Avoid overloading the sandwich with too many ingredients, as it might be difficult for little hands to hold and eat. Thin and balanced is easier.

9. Incorporate Color: Adding colorful ingredients like bell peppers, tomatoes, spinach, and fruits can make your kids sandwiches visually appealing and more nutritious as well.

10. Customize to Preferences: Take note of each of your child's likes and dislikes. When you customize sandwiches to their preferences, it increases the chances that they'll not only eat but also enjoy their meal.

And most of all, have fun. Always remember to include love in your list of sandwich ingredients. Need a few more ideas, check out this site. (Link will open in a new window)

And this one when you want to limit the deli options - Kids Eat in Color. (Link opens in a new window).

Do you have a list of a few (or several) sandwiches for kids that your little one's love? Why not share your list here using the form below. You might find some new ideas as well.

A quick word. This page may contain affiliate links. 

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