The 20 Mom-Approved Lunch Box Buys From Aldi

Do you hear those engines running? School buses are revving up once again. The new school year is here for some, and knocking on the door for so many others, bringing with it supply lists, new clothes, and of course lunch boxes just waiting to be filled and filled and filled again for the next 180 days.

My little guy takes a packed lunch every single day, so having his favorites on hand at all times is a must. When it comes to making sure his new shark lunch box is filled with delicious things, without blowing my budget, I always rely on my favorite discount grocery store, Aldi.

Aldi makes back-to-school shopping fun, easy and less expensive. Here are the top 20 lunchbox essentials from Aldi to start the school year off right!

Related: I Went Shopping at Aldi for My College-Bound Son and Saved So Much Money

What to pack for kids' lunch?

After years of packing kids' lunches I've found that they fall into two categories: those who have their favorites and are content eating the same thing every day of the week, and kids like mine who like some variety.

To keep things fresh and new for my little guy, I find it is easiest to always have what he enjoys stocked in the fridge and pantry so when it's time to pack his lunch I can mix and match to create lunches with different combinations. That way I know he's (probably) going to eat it, but it's also still a bit of a surprise.

Here are some of my favorite kid-approved lunchbox staples:

• sandwiches

• Lunchables, store-bought or homemade

• popcorn

• fruit

• chips

• crackers

• hummus

• fresh veggies

• yogurt

• trail mix

• pasta salad

• hard-boiled eggs

• cookies

Related: 45 Best Lunchbox Ideas for Kids

How do I pack my child's lunch?

Believe it or not, this is a conversation many parents have over and over. It isn't that we don't know how to pack a lunch, we are just looking for new inspiration and tips.

Plus, if you're sending your first off to school this year, knowing you need to come up with a lunch for them every single day can be a little intimidating. Don't stress! My best advice is to come up with broad categories and then build each day's lunch by choosing something from each. Here's the formula I follow:

• Main dish (sandwich, cold pizza, Lunchable)

• Something crunchy (chips, pretzels, popcorn)

• Fruit and/or veggie

• Something extra (yogurt, fruit snacks, pickles)

• Sweet treat

• Drink

Having this guide to go by every night when I pack my first grader's lunch not only helps me but also makes it easy and fun for him to be involved in making good food choices too.

Related: 50 Easy Lunch Ideas For Kids

20 Best Aldi Lunch Box Buys

When I go to Aldi to shop for back-to-school must-haves I know I'll fill my cart with more than I planned, but it'll still be way cheaper than anywhere else. These are my top 20 Aldi buys for lunch box success!

1. L'Oven Fresh Classic White Bread: $1.29 for 1 lb.

If you're packing lunches, you're probably gonna needs some bread and Aldi's bread prices are some of the lowest around. This classic white bread is great for a classic pbj, but they have a wide selection of breads, including whole grain options.

Related: 20 Best Lunchbox Sandwiches for Kids

2. Peanut Delight Creamy Peanut Butter: $3.89 for 40 oz.

Speaking of pbjs, Aldi has you covered on the peanut butter front, too. This jar of peanut butter is over two pounds for under four dollars! That will make a lot of sandwiches! Plus, the jelly is located right next to it for shopping convenience. (And yes, they have creamy and crunchy options.)

3. Savoritz Cheese Dip & Cracker Sticks: $1.75 for a 5 pack

These snack packs are giving Handi Snacks vibes, which is something I loved when I was little. This new version has cracker sticks for easier dipping (and means that you can skip that weird red hard plastic spreader that didn't spread very well). If your little one has to take an afternoon snack every day, these are great to throw in the backpack too.

4. Southern Grove 6-Pack Raisins: $1.59 for a 6 pack

Raisins are small but mighty. They're packed with energy and fiber, vitamins and minerals, which is ust what little bodies need to get through the second half of their day. For a classic snack, add some raisins to peanut butter stuffed celery for "ants on logs"!

5. Nature's Nectar Juice Boxes: Cost: $2.79 for 8

Available in both apple and fruit punch, I love these because they are 100% juice with no high-fructose corn syrup. Priced much lower than name-brand varieties, this 8-pack is a steal. Note: See the red-colored label. That signifies a product that has been temporarily reduced in price. Right now, many back-to-school favorites are on sale at my local Aldi.

Related: 40 Amazing Apple Cakes You Have To Make

6. Millville Crispy Rice Treats: $2.79 for 8

A beloved sweet treat for generations now, these taste just as good as the name-brand version. Plus they are gluten-free, which is perfect for the kids who might need to steer clear of other desserts. They're individually wrapped, which means they'll last longer than a homemade batch. Pro tip: As my son's room mom, I love these for classroom parties treats.

7. Lunch Buddies Applesauce Cups: $1.95 for 6

What did parents do before applesauce came in these convenient individual cups? They're great any day of the week, but especially for a day when lunch can't be kept cold. They're available in three flavors: original, cinnamon and strawberry.

8. Mandarin Oranges: $3.59 for 3 pounds

Any Aldi loyalist like myself will tell you the produce aisle is where you can save the most money. Fresh fruits and vegetables can wreak havoc on a grocery bill, but Aldi does their best to keep prices as low as possible. These are the perfect size for lunchboxes and easy for little hands to peel.

9. Millville Granola Bars: Cost: $2.35 for 10 bars

These make a great lunch box dessert or a grab-and-go breakfast when you're running behind schedule. This was another product that was on sale at my store, which was an extra bonus.

10. Lunch Mates Deli Meats: Cost: $5.29 for 16 oz.

Having a tub or two of lunchmeat in the fridge means you can always make a tasty sandwich. If your kids like those pre-packaged lunch kits, try making your own with some ham or turkey, sliced cheese and crackers. It's easy and also much less expensive.

Related: 25 Best Ham Glaze Recipes

11. Friendly Farms Moo Tubes: $1.59 for 8

Moo Tubes have been a staple in my fridge for years. In fact, the almost 19-year-old still asks for them! Fun, healthy and way cheaper than those name-brand yogurt tubes, these usually come in a couple of different flavors, and they rotate throughout the year. I love to freeze these to help keep a lunch cold until it's time to eat.

12. Lunch Buddies Fruit Snacks: $4.99 for 28 pouches

Fruit snacks are a kid favorite, but let's face it there are some out there that are more like candy than parents prefer. These are made with real fruit juice, no artificial flavors or colors and are a great source of vitamin C. All of that and they come in delicious flavors, including the coveted blue raspberry.

13. Happy Farms String Cheese: $2.19 for 12

Red label alert! No wonder the package I usually buy was completely sold out (regular instead of light)! String cheese is always in our fridge for lunchboxes or a quick snack. Kids love foods they get to "play" with while they eat and with this snack they also get a little extra calcium.

14. Clancy's Veggie Straws: $3.69 for 6 mini packs

Instead of sending potato chips for lunch, swap in some veggie straws. They're tasty and crunchy and come in fun colors. Eat them solo or pair them with ranch, hummus or avocado dip. These individual bags seem to be a back-to-school item at my store, but they do sell a full-size bag year-round.

15. Gala Apples: $2.99

Apples are one of my top produce picks at Aldi's. No matter what the season, they always seem to have a few varieties to choose from at a great price. Yes, even the fan-favorite Honeycrisp will go on special at some point! I always slice the apple for my kiddo. If you do the same, I have a bonus tip for you to keep them from browning. Soak them in a brine of 1 cup cool water plus 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt for about 10 minutes. Drain and they will stay fresh inside an air-tight container in the fridge for days! (And no, they don't taste salty.)

Related: 84 Best Apple Recipes To Indulge In This Fall

16. Lunch Buddies Vanilla Pudding Cups: $.99 for 4

The dollar store said, "We have the cheapest lunchbox essentials." Aldi answered, "Hold our pudding cups!" Made with real milk, these usually come in chocolate too, but I prefer to buy the vanilla for my little guy.

17. Berryhill Hazelnut Spread: $2.45 for 13 oz.

What? Seriously? Yep! This is a fantastic example of Aldi's commitment to carrying products that aren't name brand to keep prices low, but they taste exactly like the original. We love this as a dip for graham crackers or vanilla wafer cookies.

18. Brenda Belle Farms Baby-Cut Carrots: $1.19 for 1 pound

Sure, I could take the time to cut carrot sticks and probably save a few cents, but sometimes convenience is worth paying a little more to me. These are just the right size for little hands to enjoy. Pair these with this amazing veggie dip I know they will love.

19. Benton's Mini Bear Grahams: $3.59 for 12 packs

I actually had never seen these at Aldi before this shopping trip! Individual packs are great for lunch boxes and snacks and these come in honey or chocolate flavors. (This is another great idea for this room mom to keep in mind for class parties.)

20. Baker's Treat Mini Muffins: $2.69 for 5 packs

I could have included these because they are what my son eats for breakfast almost every day of the week, but they also make a tasty alternative to cookies for a sweet treat to end lunch. Flavors rotate but confetti cake, chocolate chip and blueberry seem to be the staples.

Related: 35 Grab-and-Go Muffin Recipes

Bonus Back-to-School Buys

Any time I'm shopping at Aldi I have to wander down the Aldi Finds aisle to see what great weekly or monthly deals I need in my life. On this trip there were a couple of things that are perfect for prepping for the new school year.

1. Boulder Sandwich Bags: $4.79 for 300

Not only do I go through a ton of baggies packing lunch every day, but I also need them as a room mom for parties and crafts. This value pack is a steal and won't be around for long. Buy two to stock up!

2. Lily & Dan Lunchboxes: $8.99

We've spent all this time planning what to put in the lunch box, but what about the lunch box itself? I love the cute designs, shape and extra zipper compartment on the front. For under ten dollars, you might want to grab an extra one for when the first ends up in the lost and found.

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