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It’s no secret we are huge Trader Joe’s fans over here at The Everymom. Our editors all have frozen TJ’s favorites and easy recipes to throw together for weeknight dinners. We also rely on Trader Joe’s as we add packing school lunches or snacks for daycare to our routines. Trader Joe’s has a huge selection of prepackaged snacks, organic options, and lunch box staples to help.
Plus, Trader Joe’s really cares about their littlest customers, providing kid-sized carts (just watch out for your ankles), a stuffed animal scavenger hunt, and lollipops and stickers at checkout. And can we just talk about how much we love the staff?! Each member is ready to greet you with a smile every time you walk in.
For this article, I polled my mom friends and fellow Trader Joe’s fans for some of their kids’ favorites. Plus, I’m sharing some TJ’s hits from inside my own household, too. And don’t worry about remembering everything—you can download a printable Trader Joes’s grocery list at the end of this article!
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Trader Joe’s School Lunch Ideas
By the end of last school year, my daughter was eating a peanut butter sandwich on wheat bread as the main part of her lunch every day. She did love it, but this year, I’m trying to be more creative—and more sensitive to nut allergies. I found mixing up her bread choices and whole-grain options get her excited about trying something new (especially because she’s the kind of kid who eats her bun before her burger). Here are some Trader Joe’s lunch box recipes I’m trying this year:
- Ham and cheese on gluten-free multigrain bread. This gets protein and grains into their lunch everyday in a format they’re familiar with. You can also swap out the meat based on preference.
- Lunchable-style deconstructed sandwich. Think whole grain crackers, cheese stick cut in cubes, and the deli meat of your choice—this is great for kids who don’t like to mix different foods together.
- Organic deli meat wrapped around cheese sticks, because what kid doesn’t love a cheese stick? This way, they can have their favorite snack with a larger source of protein in the mix.
- Hummus with pita chips or naan crackers. Hummus is one of the healthiest dips out there, and even contains some protein!
- Sunflower seed butter spread on a pretzel bun, or a slice of challah braided egg bread. This is a great allergy-friendly choice that’s high in protein and healthy carbs.
Fresh Sides at Trader Joe’s
Finger foods are key for young kids. Not only are there few adults to help open packages in the lunchroom, but easy access to fresh food means less of a barrier between them and the food you really want them to eat. Here are some fresh foods my kids love:
- Red and green grapes duo. Of all the fruits, packing grapes takes almost no prep on the parent’s part, and you can fit a bunch of them into your kiddo’s lunch box at once.
- Organic carrots of many colors. While eating vegetables may not always be fun, adding in a colorful twist is a great way to incentivize your kids to at least try them out.
- Persian cucumber slices—a personal favorite of mine, and a widely loved kid-approved vegetable! This is another one that’s easy to prep and pack quickly.
- Sugar snap peas. Your kids will love the extra touch of sweetness in these peas, and you’ll love that they’re still a great source of nutrients.
- Pears, apples, or oranges. These are staple fruits for kids for a reason, and washing and cutting them up doesn’t take a lot of time or effort.
- Grape or cherry tomatoes. This may be a hot take, but I loved cherry tomatoes in my lunch as a kid, even more so than other fruits or veggies like cucumbers or apples. Give it a try!
Prepackaged Trader Joe’s Snacks for Kids
Snacks are yet another way Trader Joe’s really shines. They have a ton of organic and whole wheat options, and the grab-and-go packaged snacks make my life easier. Some of our lunch box-appropriate winners:
- Fruit sauce crushers (pouches). Applesauce remains a kid-friendly favorite, and these pouches are easy to pack and can be eaten on the go.
- Organic granola bars (we buy these five boxes at a time!). The chocolate ones double as a sweet treat and a quick and easy energy source in the middle of the day.
- Peaches & cream, mango & cream yogurt cups. Yogurt is a staple for a reason, and can easily be kept cool with ice packs for your kids to eat midday.
- PB&C snack duo—think Dunkaroos, but with peanut butter and cocoa wafer sticks. Trust us, your kids will be asking for these day after day.
- String cheese, because you just can’t go wrong with a classic. Plus, for a kid who is resistant to eating meat, cheese can be an excellent source of protein.
- Fruit wrap, for a simple sweet treat that you can throw into their lunch bag last minute!
- Spicy tempura seaweed snack*
*Note, these snacks are polarizing. My daughter asked me to buy them because friends in her class had them. She and I did not love the taste, but they’re healthy so worth a try to see if your kids are on team seaweed.
Loose Trader Joe’s Snacks for Kids
Loose snacks can cut down on packaging waste and work well in bento-style lunch boxes. Again, Trader Joe’s has so many options. Here are some favorite snacks ideas:
- Almond butter-filled pretzel nuggets. I loved pretzels as a kid, and my mom certainly loved being able to throw them into a Ziplock and call it a day. These add a flavorful twist to a classic.
- Organic mini-cheese sandwich crackers OR mini (almost) everything bagel sandwich crackers. As a bagel lover, I have to advocate for the bagel sandwich crackers—they are just that good, and your kids will love them, too. The flavor isn’t too crazy or unfamiliar.
- White cheddar popcorn. This one is always a win, and is sure to come home finished, even if you have a child who tends to pick at the rest of their lunch.
- Cinnamon Schoolbook Cookies (seasonal, available late summer/fall), for something to add to their lunchbox that is delicious, easy to pack, and school-themed!
- Trail mix crackers. During my pickier years, I was resistant to eating trail mix, but these crackers present the snack in a more kid-friendly fashion.
- Organic dried Ataulfo mango slices. Dried fruit is great for school lunch because it’s shelf-stable and healthy!
- Mango and Passion Fruit Squares for another dried fruit option parents and kids will love. They’re the perfect mix of tart and sweet!
Trader Joe’s Treats for Kids’ Lunches
I give my daughter a small treat in her lunch each day, and Trader Joe’s has plenty of options. Our rule is if she doesn’t eat her whole lunch one day, she loses her treat the next day. I don’t know if that’s right or wrong, but so far, it’s worked to get her to eat her healthy lunch most days. Plus, she hasn’t yet figured out she can throw away her healthy food without me knowing—and I hope she never does. Here are some of our favorite TJ’s treats for lunch boxes:
- Gluten-free madeleine cookies, for something simple, sweet, and dietary-restriction friendly! These are oh-so-buttery and easy to pack last minute.
- Gluten-free Joe-Joe’s cookies. These are a take on the classic Oreo cookie, with crisp, chocolate wafers and a sweet cream filling.
- Organic mini-chocolate chip cookies, because everyone loves them! Your kids will appreciate having their favorite dessert in their lunch, and you’ll love not having to bake them from scratch on a weeknight.
- Dark Chocolate Chips. These are great for adding into a fruit salad or as a quick sweet treat at the end of their lunch period. Plus, they can be used for baking at home!
- Triple Chip Crispy Cookies, which include white chocolate chips, semisweet chocolate, and dark chocolate chips. For the chocolate lover in your household, there’s no better dessert option.
- Passion Fruit Cups (available for a limited time!). These are creamy, sweet snacks that will be easy for your kids to stash in their lunch bag.
- Chocolatey Cats Cookies For People. If your kiddo is an animal lover—or a huge animal cracker fan—they’ll love having these as their sweet surprise in their lunch box.
Download Our Free Printable Trader Joe’s Grocery List!
Download or save this Trader Joe’s shopping list to your phone for your next run to TJ’s.
Kathy Sisson, Senior Editor
Kathy Sisson has been a key contributor in the editorial parenting space for eight years, not only as a full-time editor at The Everymom but previously as a freelance writer for top parenting sites, including Scary Mommy, Motherly, Parent Co., and more. As an editor at The Everymom, she has produced hundreds of articles on a range of parenting topics, reviewed dozens of family-focused products, interviewed leading experts in the children and parenting world, and created viral parenting social media content. A mom of two, she is committed to sharing the honest, helpful, and often humorous stories of motherhood.
Rebecca Smith, Editorial Assistant
As an Editorial Assistant, Rebecca works with The Everymom team on updating existing content, photo sourcing, pitching original articles, and more. She’s passionate about creating authentic and diverse online content and is thrilled to help women of all ages feel represented.
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This article was originally published on The Everymom
