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The simplest definition of bento is a boxed lunch. But even though you're thinking “inside the box," bento boxes for your kiddos are meant to be cute and a little silly. Whether you consider yourself creatively challenged or not, you can make these lunch boxes a fun way to include your little one's favorite treats along with healthy snacks. From edible animals to cool cutouts, these 15 bento box ideas will give you some inspiration on where to start in making the coolest packed lunches ever.
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Stick To The Basics
The fun thing about a bento box is that you can literally cut up anything into cute shapes and the kids won’t care that it’s not fancy, prepackaged food. Make a list of their favorite carbs, fruits, veggies and proteins and then pick a couple from each category for a perfectly balanced meal that takes almost no prep time. (via Wendolonia)
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Cutout Shapes
If you think putting together a bento box is a lot of work, then you just need to pick up some cookie cutters. Kids go crazy for food in fun shapes, and you might even get them to try something new if it’s disguised as a flower. (via Love from the Oven)
Dino Bento
How adorable is that polka-dotted dinosaur egg in the nest of pretzels? The dino sandwiches are actually easy to make with a dino cookie cutter and some quick spiky cuts of lunch meat. (via Wendolonia)
Halloween is just around the corner! We love this spooky cute idea.
For winter time, try this adorable snow-capped mountain lunch -- swap Vegemite for a nut butter or any favorite sandwich filling.
Monkey Bento
Mix things up by making a sandwich out of English muffins instead of bread. Continue the monkey theme with a banana and some cheeky crackers. (via Kitchen Fun With My Three Sons)
Piglet Bagel
Satisfy their sweet tooth with this special strawberry cream cheese bagel spread and lots of fresh fruit sides. (via She Knows)
Try this cute cloud and rainbow bento for sandwich and fruit lovers. Shop the cloud and rainbow cookie cutters here!
Owl Bento
Um, will someone please come pack our lunch for us? These owls are almost too cute to eat, but your kids won’t have a problem devouring them. (via Kitchen Fun With My Three Sons)
Waffle Mouse
PB&J with waffles is obviously the coolest new sandwich on the block. Who doesn’t love breakfast for lunch? (via Kitchen Fun With My Three Sons)
Teddy Bear Bento
You can use any nut butter to hold this adorable teddy bear together, and the chocolate chip details double as dessert. Fill the other side with snacks like yogurt, pretzels, cheese cubes and fresh fruit. (via She Knows)
Watermelon is still in season and are perfect bento treats. Try these tiny finger foods for tiny fingers!
Minion Lunch
You can draw right on the banana peel and make the rest of the minion pieces with grape fruit leather, cheese and candy googly eyes. (via Foodtastic Mom)
We love the tooth-picked turkey slices here -- make it a club "sandwich" with bacon, tomato, and romaine lettuce!
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This article has been updated from a previous post.