25 Fun Lunchbox Surprises for Your Children!

Kids are sure to love these lunchbox surprises that will encourage, excite, and entertain. These 25 ideas will help you keep the surprises coming throughout the entire school year!

1. Sandwiches or fruits/veggies cut into shapes with a cookie cutter

2. A formal invitation to a family event coming up (night at the movies, trip to the zoo, round of mini-golf, etc.)

3. A coupon to be redeemed at home which will let them get out of chores for one evening when swamped with homework

4. A love note on a napkin

5. A drawing from a younger sibling or snail mail from an out-of-town relative

6. Candy gram – A note with attached sweet(s) replacing key words in the note

7. A note hinting at a secret message/treat hidden somewhere in their lunch (on the bottom of a brown bag, inside their sandwich, etc.)

8. A riddle written on the handle of one of their plastic eating-utensils

9. A greeting card included with their lunch on their birthday or some other special “anniversary” (first year of school complete, year since their baptism, etc.)

10. A message or picture on the peel of their banana or orange

11. A joke with the punch-line to be revealed after school

12. The first clue of a scavenger hunt that will be finished after school to find a special gift or reward for something

13. Including their favorite treat on the day of a big test or project

14. Some extra treats for them to share with friends

15. An encouraging quote or Bible verse

16. Revealing an upcoming family vacation in the form of food (Mickey Mouse-shaped food item, sugar cookie shaped like the vacation destination, etc.)

17. A holiday-related card or surprise

18. A kind reminder encouraging them to keep persevering on something they’re working on at school

19. A list of “Why I Love You” statements on a sticky note

20. Stickers added to sandwich baggies

21. An item that belongs to a set (lego, puzzle piece, action figure part, etc.) hinting at a reward they will receive later for their hard work (Be sure to include a reminder to save the item and not discard it!)

22. A family picture attached to the inside of their lunchbox with quote bubble stickers containing love messages from all of their family members

23. Personalized food items (initials or name cut out of cheese slices for cheese and crackers, etc.)

24. Food pranks (gummy worms coming out of an apple, etc.)

25. A special food item based on holidays (For example, September 5th is “National Pizza Day”.)

What other surprises do you use to make lunch time special? Please share in the comments section!