Back to School Creative ideas:

Make mini versions of your kid's favorite sandwiches by removing the crusts and shaping them with cookie cutters. Load the sandwiches into a compartment of a bento box container and fill the other parts with crunchy veggies like sugar snap peas, and mini fruit kebabs on toothpicks.

Try an all-veggie lunch: half a whole-wheat pita pocket filled with protein-rich hummus, shredded carrots, sliced cu****bers, chopped red peppers, pickles, and a lettuce leaf. If the kids don't like hummus, try a white bean puree

Frozen whole-grain waffles are packed with protein and fiber and make a perfect substitute for sandwich bread. Take a toasted waffle and spread (nut-free) soynut butter over one half. Cover with sliced strawberries and fold the waffle in half to make a sandwich. Pair it with apple slices and a bottle filled with fresh orange juice

Lunchtime chicken salad with rotisserie chicken

Wraps

Thermos

Sesame Noodles

Pesto Noodles

Dried fruit - Fresh fruit doesn't always hold up to the abuse of being tossed around in a bag all day. Try unsweetened dried versions of your kid's favorites. Combine banana chips, raisins, and dried apricots with unusual dried fruits like kiwis, cherries, blueberries and pineapple for a tasty and colorful treat.

• Kid's mix: Let them combine their favorite cereals with the dried fruit to create their own unique trail mix.

• Homemade goodies - Store-bought muffins or fruit bars may be convenient, but nothing beats a homemade snack. After all, you control the ingredients -- including the TLC. (Get creative with a pretzel by dipping it into melted dark chocolate, letting it set on waxed paper, and then wrapping it up.)