Packing lunch for kids can be hard. Parents want food that is tasty and healthy. Kids want fun and yummy food. A good lunch helps kids stay active in school.
It should be easy to eat and not too messy. Indian food has many tasty vegetarian options. These are great for lunch boxes. They are full of taste and give good energy.
These lunch ideas are quick and simple. Most use things we already have at home. Some are hot meals, and some are cold.
You can pack them with fruits or a sweet treat. You can also add a small bottle of water or juice.
Top 15 Tasty Vegetarian Lunch ideas for School Kids in India
Check out these 15 easy vegetarian lunch ideas for school kids in India.
Vegetable Paratha with Ketchup or Curd
Vegetable paratha is a soft flatbread. It has mixed vegetables inside. You can use carrot, potato, peas, or spinach. The paratha is cooked on a pan with little oil. Kids like its soft and tasty bite. It is easy to eat with hands. You can cut it into small pieces. Serve it with ketchup or curd. Ketchup adds sweet taste. Curd keeps the meal cool. It stays fresh in the lunch box. Kids enjoy this healthy meal.
Paneer Sandwich with Cucumber Slices
Paneer sandwich is soft and tasty. It has paneer (cottage cheese) inside bread. You can add a little salt and pepper. Some kids like ketchup or green chutney inside. You can toast the bread or keep it plain. Cut the sandwich into small parts. It is easy to hold and eat. Add cucumber slices for crunch. They are fresh and cool. This lunch is light and healthy. Kids like the soft paneer and crunchy cucumber. It is quick to make.
Idli With Chutney or Podi
Idli is a soft rice cake. It is white and fluffy. It is made from rice and urad dal. Idlis are steamed, not fried. They are easy to eat. Kids can hold them with hands or use a spoon. You can pack coconut chutney or dry podi powder. Podi adds a spicy taste. Chutney is soft and tasty. Idlis stay fresh in lunch boxes. They are light and healthy. Many kids love idlis. It is a simple and safe meal.
Mini Vegetable Uttapam
Mini uttapam is like a small pancake. It is made with dosa batter. You can add chopped vegetables on top. Use onion, tomato, capsicum, or carrot. Cook it on a pan with little oil. It becomes soft and tasty. Kids can eat it with hands. You can send chutney with it. It is colorful and fun to eat. It gives energy and is easy to digest. Mini uttapams fit well in lunch boxes. Kids enjoy the soft and crispy bites.
Chapati Roll with Potato Or Paneer Filling
Chapati roll is easy to hold and eat. Take a soft chapati. Fill it with potato or paneer. You can add little spices or ketchup. Roll it like a wrap. It is not messy. Kids can eat it quickly. The roll stays fresh for hours. You can cut it into small pieces. Add some veggies if your child likes them. It is soft, tasty, and healthy. This roll is full of energy. Many kids enjoy this simple lunch idea.
Lemon Rice With Peanuts
Lemon rice is yellow and tasty. It has a light lemon flavor. Cook rice and let it cool. Add lemon juice, mustard seeds, and curry leaves. Add peanuts for crunch. Mix everything well. It is not spicy. Kids like its tangy taste. It stays fresh in the lunch box. You can pack it with curd or a sweet. It is easy to eat with a spoon. Lemon rice is simple and quick. Many kids enjoy this yummy rice meal.
Vegetable Poha
Poha is made from flattened rice. It cooks very fast. Add chopped vegetables like carrot, peas, or potato. Add mustard seeds and turmeric for taste. Mix everything well. It becomes soft and yellow. You can add peanuts too. Poha is light and healthy. It is not spicy. Kids can eat it easily with a spoon. It stays soft in the lunch box. You can pack some fruits with it. Vegetable poha is a simple and tasty lunch idea for kids.
Sooji (Rava) Upma with Carrots and Peas
Upma is made from sooji, also called rava. It is soft and easy to eat. Cook it with water and little oil. Add carrots and peas for color and taste. You can add mustard seeds and curry leaves. It smells nice and tastes good. Upma is not spicy. Kids like the soft texture. It stays fresh in the lunch box. You can pack it with a small sweet. Sooji upma is healthy and quick. Many kids enjoy this simple meal.
Pasta With Tomato and Cheese
Pasta is soft and fun to eat. Boil the pasta in water until it’s soft. Cook it with tomato sauce. Add some cheese on top. The cheese melts and makes it creamy. You can also add some vegetables, like carrots or peas. Mix everything well. It is not spicy. Kids like its cheesy taste. Pasta stays fresh in the lunch box. It is easy to eat with a spoon or fork. Pasta with tomato and cheese is a tasty lunch.
Veg Fried Rice with Ketchup
Veg fried rice is a simple and tasty dish. Cook rice and let it cool. Stir-fry it with mixed vegetables like peas, carrots, and beans. Add a little soy sauce and pepper for flavor. Fry everything in a pan with oil. You can serve it with ketchup for extra taste. It is easy to eat with a spoon. Veg fried rice stays fresh in the lunch box. It’s a quick meal full of vegetables. Many kids enjoy this colorful rice dish.
Methi Thepla With Pickle or Curd
Methi thepla is a soft, flatbread. It is made with fenugreek leaves (methi) and wheat flour. Add little spices to give it a good taste. Roll the dough into thin circles and cook them on a pan. The thepla becomes soft and tasty. You can serve it with pickle or curd. Curd cools down the taste, and pickle adds spice. Methi thepla is healthy and gives energy. It stays fresh in the lunch box. Kids like it with a side dip.
Moong Dal Cheela with Green Chutney
Moong dal cheela is a savory pancake. It is made from ground moong dal (yellow lentils). Mix the dal with water and spices to make a smooth batter. Pour the batter on a hot pan and cook like a pancake. It becomes soft and crispy. You can serve it with green chutney. The chutney adds a fresh, spicy flavor. Moong dal cheela is healthy and easy to make. It is full of protein and stays fresh in the lunch box.
Mini Dosa with Potato Filling
Mini dosa is a small, thin pancake made from rice and dal. It is crispy and soft. Cook the dosa on a hot pan without oil or with a little oil. For the filling, cook mashed potatoes with mild spices like turmeric and mustard seeds. Place the potato filling inside the dosa and fold it. It becomes a small roll. Mini dosa with potato filling is easy to eat. It stays fresh in the lunch box. Kids love its crispy taste.
Stuffed Vegetable Sandwich
A stuffed vegetable sandwich is easy and tasty. Take two slices of bread. Spread butter or cream cheese on them. Add sliced vegetables like cucumber, tomato, and carrot. You can also add lettuce or cheese. For extra taste, you can add salt and pepper. Close the sandwich and cut it into small pieces. The sandwich is fresh and crunchy. It is a healthy meal. You can pack it with a small fruit or juice. Kids enjoy this colorful sandwich.
Curd Rice With Pomegranate Seeds
Curd rice is a soft and cool dish. It is made with cooked rice and yogurt (curd). Mix the rice and curd well. You can add little salt and a pinch of mustard seeds for flavor. Pomegranate seeds add color and sweetness. The curd rice is not spicy, so it is easy to eat. It stays fresh in the lunch box. Kids like its soft texture and sweet taste from pomegranate. It’s a healthy and light meal.