🍎 First Week Back-to-School Meal Plan

Fun, Budget-Friendly Lunches with a Twist!
Estimated cost per lunch: $1.50–$2.25

Cool tools to have a fun first week:

Dino Cookie Cutter

Lunch box notes

Stickers

Lunch Box 

Water Bottle

Silicone Liners (Muffin Cups)

Dishwasher/freezer/microwave safe storage containers (50 pack for when they forget to bring them home)

Monday: 🦸‍♂️ "Marvel-ous Monday" – Super Snack Stackers

Theme: Build-your-own superhero fuel!

Menu:

• Whole wheat crackers

• Sliced deli turkey & cheddar

• Cucumber slices

• Apple slices + peanut butter

• “Hero Note” from mom

🛒 Ingredients:

• Whole wheat crackers (1 box = $2.00 / 10 servings = $0.20)

• Deli turkey ($4.00 / 8 servings = $0.50)

• Cheddar block ($2.00 / 8 servings = $0.25)

• Cucumber ($1.00 / 4 servings = $0.25)

• 1 apple ($0.75)

• Peanut butter ($0.10 per tbsp)

🧠 Prep Tip: Pre-slice apples and soak briefly in lemon water to keep fresh. Pre-portion turkey, cheese, and crackers into containers for easy grab-and-go.

💰 Total Cost: ~$2.05 per lunch

Tuesday: 🐢 "Totally Turtle Tuesday" – Ninja Pizza Muffins

Theme: Cowabunga crusts for your ninja!

Menu:

• Mini biscuit dough pizza muffins

• Carrot sticks

• Grapes

• “Turtle Power” sticker

🛒 Ingredients (makes 6 muffins):

• 1 can biscuit dough ($2.50 / 8 biscuits = $0.30 each)

• ½ cup pizza sauce ($0.50)

• ¾ cup shredded mozzarella ($1.00)

• Mini pepperoni or diced peppers ($0.50)

• Carrots ($0.25), Grapes ($0.50)

🧠 Prep Tip: Bake muffins ahead on Sunday and refrigerate. Reheat for 20 seconds or serve cold—either way works!

💰 Total Cost: ~$2.20 per lunch

Wednesday: 🧊 "Whimsical Winter Wednesday" – Snowflake Quesadillas

Theme: Chilly cheese fun with Frozen vibes ❄️

Menu:

• Mozzarella quesadilla wedges

• Blue corn chips

• Applesauce cup

• A handwritten “Let it Go” joke

🛒 Ingredients:

• 1 tortilla ($0.25)

• ½ cup mozzarella cheese ($0.50)

• Blue corn chips ($2.00 bag / 10 servings = $0.20)

• Applesauce cup ($0.40)

🧠 Prep Tip: Cook the quesadilla the night before and cool before slicing into “snowflake” triangles with a pizza cutter.

💰 Total Cost: ~$1.35 per lunch

Thursday: 🦖 "Throwback Thursday" – Dino Dig Bento

Theme: Fossil-finding lunch for little paleontologists!

Menu:

• Dino-shaped turkey & cheese sandwiches

• Broccoli "trees"

• Mini pretzel "bones"

• Raisins or fruit leather

🛒 Ingredients:

• Bread (2 slices = $0.30)

• Turkey ($0.50), Cheese slice ($0.25)

• Steamed broccoli ($0.30)

• Pretzels ($0.15), Raisins ($0.25)

🧠 Prep Tip: Use Dino cookie cutters (Link to Amazon, reusable!). Steam broccoli with a sprinkle of salt and keep warm in a thermos if preferred.

💰 Total Cost: ~$1.75 per lunch

Friday: 🐝 "Fly High Friday" – Banana Bee Roll-Ups

Theme: Sweet energy to buzz into the weekend!

Menu:

• PB & banana tortilla “sushi”

• Yogurt pouch or cup

• Popcorn or animal crackers

• “Bee Kind” encouragement card

🛒 Ingredients:

• 1 tortilla ($0.25)

• 2 tbsp peanut butter ($0.20)

• 1 banana ($0.30)

• Yogurt ($0.55), Popcorn ($0.20)

🧠 Prep Tip: Roll up the tortilla with banana and peanut butter, slice into “coins.” Pre-bag snacks for the week to save time!

💰 Total Cost: ~$1.50 per lunch

🛍 Grocery List for the Week (Approx. $35–$40 total):

• Whole wheat tortillas (1 pack)

• Whole wheat sandwich bread

• Deli turkey or ham

• Block or shredded cheddar & mozzarella

• Biscuit dough can

• Pizza sauce

• Crackers, pretzels, popcorn

• Carrots, cucumber, broccoli

• Apples, bananas, grapes

• Applesauce cups or pouches

• Peanut butter

• Yogurt cups or pouches

• Raisins or fruit leather

• Blue corn chips

• Fun napkins, stickers, or handwritten notes

💡 Bonus Tips:

• Sunday Prep Party: Get the kids involved in cutting, portioning, and packing!

• Use compartment lunchboxes or silicone muffin cups for easy organization.

• Add a surprise: Include a little sticker, joke, or note of encouragement each day!