DIY Kid-Friendly Lunch Tray

Featured in: Simple Summer Plates

This DIY kid-friendly lunch tray offers a balanced mix of sliced turkey, ham, cheddar, and mozzarella cheeses alongside whole wheat crackers, pita wedges, seedless grapes, baby carrots, and cucumber slices. Optional treats like mini chocolates or cookies add a sweet touch. Perfectly portioned into compartmentalized containers, it’s ideal for quick packing and easy eating. Flexible ingredient swaps and additions accommodate various tastes and diets, ensuring a fresh and colorful meal ready in just 15 minutes.

Updated on Tue, 18 Nov 2025 12:08:00 GMT
DIY Lunchables trays, perfectly arranged with meats, cheeses, crackers, and colorful veggies, ready to eat. Save
DIY Lunchables trays, perfectly arranged with meats, cheeses, crackers, and colorful veggies, ready to eat. | olivedune.com

A fun, customizable tray of kid-friendly meats, cheeses, crackers, and fruit, perfect for easy packed lunches or snacks.

I always enjoyed creating DIY lunch trays as a child, and now my kids love having a hand in choosing what goes in their lunch each day.

Ingredients

  • Proteins: 100 g sliced turkey breast, 100 g sliced ham, 100 g mild cheddar cheese, sliced, 100 g mozzarella cheese, cubed
  • Carbohydrates: 24 whole wheat crackers, 2 mini pita breads, cut into wedges (optional)
  • Fruits & Vegetables: 1 cup seedless grapes, 1 cup baby carrots, 1 cup cucumber slices
  • Treat (optional): 4 mini chocolate squares or 4 small cookies

Instructions

Arrange proteins:
Place equal portions of turkey, ham, cheddar, and mozzarella into four compartmentalized containers or lunchboxes.
Add carbs:
Include 6 crackers and some pita wedges (if using) in each tray.
Add produce:
Distribute grapes, carrots, and cucumber slices evenly between the trays.
Add treat:
Place a mini chocolate square or cookie in each tray, if desired.
Cover and chill:
Refrigerate until ready to serve. For best freshness, consume within 3 days.
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| olivedune.com

Lunch-making with the kids has become a daily tradition, and making these trays sparks their creativity while encouraging them to try new foods.

Required Tools

Cutting board, sharp knife, lunchboxes or containers with compartments

Allergen Information

Contains milk and wheat. Check packaging for possible nut or soy traces.

Nutritional Information (per tray, without treat)

Calories: 310, Total Fat: 12 g, Carbohydrates: 29 g, Protein: 20 g

A visually appealing DIY Lunchables tray overflowing with diverse meats, cheeses, and fun snack accompaniments. Save
A visually appealing DIY Lunchables tray overflowing with diverse meats, cheeses, and fun snack accompaniments. | olivedune.com

These DIY Lunchables trays make lunchtime fun and easy for everyone. Little hands love helping, and no two trays are ever the same!

Cooking Questions & Answers

Can I substitute the meats with other options?

Yes, you can swap turkey and ham for choices like roast chicken, plant-based deli slices, or hard-boiled eggs to suit preferences.

What are some good cheese alternatives?

Try Swiss, provolone, or other mild cheeses for a different flavor profile while keeping the tray kid-friendly.

Are there suitable options for vegetarian trays?

Yes, replace meats with hummus, hard-boiled eggs, or plant-based deli slices to keep it vegetarian-friendly.

How should the tray be stored before serving?

Cover and refrigerate the tray until ready to serve, ideally consuming within 3 days for best freshness.

Can I include other fruits or vegetables?

Absolutely. Adding cherry tomatoes, apple slices, or other favorite fruits and veggies boosts variety and nutrition.

DIY Kid-Friendly Lunch Tray

A customizable tray featuring meats, cheeses, crackers, and fruit for quick, fun lunches or snacks.

Prep Duration
15 min
0
Overall Duration
15 min
Creator: Clara Moretti


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Serves 4 Portions

Dietary Info None specified

What You Need

Proteins

01 3.5 oz sliced turkey breast
02 3.5 oz sliced ham
03 3.5 oz mild cheddar cheese, sliced
04 3.5 oz mozzarella cheese, cubed

Carbohydrates

01 24 whole wheat crackers
02 2 mini pita breads, cut into wedges (optional)

Fruits & Vegetables

01 1 cup seedless grapes
02 1 cup baby carrots
03 1 cup cucumber slices

Treat (optional)

01 4 mini chocolate squares or 4 small cookies

Steps

Step 01

Arrange Proteins: Distribute equal portions of turkey, ham, cheddar, and mozzarella among four compartmentalized lunchboxes.

Step 02

Add Crackers and Pita: Place 6 whole wheat crackers and a few pita wedges in each tray, if using.

Step 03

Portion Fruits and Vegetables: Divide grapes, baby carrots, and cucumber slices evenly across the four trays.

Step 04

Include Treat (Optional): Add a mini chocolate square or cookie to each tray as a treat, if desired.

Step 05

Storage: Cover trays and refrigerate. Consume within 3 days for optimal freshness.

Essential Tools

  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Lunchboxes or compartmentalized containers

Allergy Notice

Always review each component for allergens, and reach out to medical experts if you're uncertain.
  • Contains milk (cheese), wheat (crackers, pita), and may contain soy depending on products.
  • Possible traces of nuts depending on cracker or cookie brand; verify packaging.

Nutrition Breakdown (each portion)

These details are for general advice—please consult your healthcare provider for specific guidance.
  • Energy (kcal): 310
  • Lipids: 12 g
  • Carbohydrates: 29 g
  • Proteins: 20 g