This simple muffin tin snack tray is my go-to kids’ lunch idea! It’s easy, healthy, and is easy to customize with your child’s favorite foods. You might even get them to try something new!
Lunch has always been my least favorite meal of the day. I don’t like interrupting whatever I’m doing to make a full meal, but I also know that if I don’t eat, I’ll be an ornery gargoyle by late afternoon.
My kids are the same way. They want simple, quick food for lunch most days…the sooner they can get back to playing, the better.
Our go-to lunch?
A simple muffin tin snack tray!
What is a muffin tin snack tray?
Super simple. That’s what it is.
Take a small, 6-cup muffin tin, and put a different food in each section. We try to cover all our basic food groups with each tray: protein, grain, fruit, and vegetable.
Here’s an example of what one of our trays might look like:
- strawberries
- cheese
- crackers
- cashews
- baby carrots
- raisins
You can put whatever you want in your muffin tin snack tray. It’s completely customizable (see more ideas below). For me, it’s an easy way to pull together a healthy lunch, and it’s led to a lot of good discussions with my kids about nutrition as we look for items to fill our snack tray.
I’ll say things like, “Okay, we have a grain and a fruit. Now we need some veggies and protein. What should we add?”
That’s just one reason l love this simple lunch idea. Want to know more?
Why are muffin tin lunches completely awesome and amazing for busy moms?
- They keep foods separate for kids who don’t want food to touch.
- They allow you to give your child small amounts of new foods (along with their favorites) to help kids try new things without being overwhelmed.
- They make it easy to help your kids see if they are eating a healthy variety of foods.
- They are a great way to use up remnants when you only have a little bit of food left in the bottom of a box or bag.
How I make a muffin tin lunchtime snack tray:
- Grab a small, 6-cup muffin tin.
- Fill it with a variety of foods from different food groups.
- Enjoy your super simple lunch.
That’s it, really. That’s why this kids’ lunch idea is so great!
Where to buy a small muffin tin:
Dollar store all the way, my friends! You don’t need anything fancy for this mom hack. Just grab a cheap 6-cup muffin tin from the dollar store and you’re all set.
And, the muffin tin itself isn’t essential. You could just make a snack tray on a normal plate, or in an ice cube tray (that’s how I did it when my kids were toddlers)
More ideas for what to put in a muffin tin snack tray:
Want more simple ideas for feeding your family? Try these ideas!
- Healthy packed lunch ideas for kids (with free printable checklist)
- Easy after school snacks your kids will love
- How to simplify weekly meal planning + free printable templates
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