Pick the foods you'll include in your lunch boxes (use one of the themes above or mix & match ingredients) and make the homemade elements at least 30 minutes beforehand (muffins, tuna salad, banana oatmeal cookies, ranch dressing).
Step 2
For the meat & cheese wraps: Place the cheese on top of each slice of meat and roll into a thin log. Secure each wrap with a toothpick and repeat with the remaining ingredients.
Step 3
For the tortilla roll-ups (a.k.a. pinwheels): Spread the cream cheese evenly across the tortilla. Lay the meat slices across the tortilla, followed by the lettuce, tomato & cucumber. Roll in a thin log and cut into 1-inch pieces.
Step 4
Portion dips & any runny ingredients (yogurt, hummus, ranch, cottage cheese, applesauce) in 4 oz or smaller containers (make sure they fit in your box with the lid closed first) and place loose ingredients such as olives, jerky, nut butter, or berries in cupcake liners to keep them separated.
Step 5
Assemble the ingredients in lunch boxes with tight-fitting lids (I used 3.5 cup plastic lunch boxes with locking lids) and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.