Packing lunches every morning is already a minor Olympic event, so adding one more thing had better be quick and easy.
These back to school lunch box notes are exactly that: simple printable cards you can tuck beside the sandwich before everyone races out the door.
A funny joke, encouraging message, or favorite character can give kids a little boost in the middle of the school day, especially during those first few weeks when everything still feels new.

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And because the notes are already designed and ready to print, you do not have to suddenly become inspirational at 6:45 in the morning.
This collection includes sweet messages, silly jokes, themed cards, and personalized options for preschoolers, elementary-age kids, and even older children who still enjoy a small surprise.
And for more fun ways to celebrate every school milestone, from the first day to the last day and graduation, take a look at these school celebration ideas.
π More Back-to-School Ideas
The school bell may be ringing, but the fun is just getting started! From sweet surprises to keepsake photos and easy crafts, these ideas make heading back to class a little more exciting.
π Back-to-School Treats β Fun and easy snacks that make the first day extra sweet.
π Teacher Gift Ideas β Simple welcome gifts your students will love to receive.
πΈ First Day Sign Ideas β Creative photo signs to capture those unforgettable first-day smiles.
π¨οΈ Back-to-School Printables β Free printables to help you organize, decorate, and celebrate.
βοΈ Back-to-School Crafts β Easy DIY projects to get kids excited before the school year begins.
Back to School Lunch Box Notes to Brighten Their Day
Free Emojis Lunch Box Cards Printable
Emoji-loving kids will get a kick out of these printable lunch box cards.
Each card pairs a cheerful emoji with a funny or encouraging message for a quick lunchtime surprise.Β
Free Printable Lunch Box Notes for Kids
This printable collection gives you several styles to choose from, including cheerful everyday messages, dinosaurs, and unicorns.
Itβs an easy option for families with children who have very different interests.Β
72+ Lunch and School Notes
With more than 70 notes to choose from, you wonβt run out of lunchtime surprises anytime soon.
The collection includes cute puns, silly jokes, and encouraging messages that are perfect for the first day of school and beyond.Β
Frog Lunch Box Notes
These adorable frog lunch box notes are filled with cheerful messages and plenty of froggy personality.
Slip a different card into your childβs lunch each day for a themed surprise that is sure to earn a smile.Β
Encouraging Words for Kids (+ free printable lunch box notes!)
These printable notes focus on encouraging effort, persistence, and character rather than simply offering praise.
The post also explains the difference between praise and encouragement and gives parents practical examples of what to say.
Printable Lunch Box Planner Set
Packing school lunches doesn't have to be a daily challenge.
This printable lunch box planner takes the guesswork out of meal planning by organizing lunches for the week, making mornings easier for parents and giving kids a clear idea of what to expect each day.
It also includes adorable lunch box notes to add a little encouragement and brighten lunchtime.Β
Lunch Box Jokes for Kids
Send a laugh to school with these printable lunch box jokes for kids.
The quick, family-friendly jokes are easy to tuck into a lunch and give children something funny to share around the table.
Disney Lunch Box Notes
Young Disney fans will love discovering these character-inspired notes in their lunches.
Each card includes a familiar character and a memorable message from a favorite story.
Apple Lunch Notes
These apple lunch notes add a crafty twist to the usual printable card.
Kids can assemble a paper apple tree and add an apple-shaped message for a cute back-to-school project that doubles as a lunchtime surprise.Β
Free Printable Encouraging Lunch Box Notes
Turn an ordinary granola or cereal bar into an encouraging lunchtime treat with these printable wrappers.
Simply wrap one around a packaged snack for an easy message and treat all in one.
Free Printable Star Wars Lunch Box Notes
Long, long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, it was lunchtime.
And a little Star Wars fan was thrilled to discover one of these themed notes tucked inside their lunch box.
Free Printable Retro Lunch Box Notes
Bright colors and playful retro designs make these lunch box notes hard to miss.
The variety of themes gives you plenty of cheerful messages to rotate throughout the school year.
Personalised Lunch Box Notes for you to Create
Add your own message to these personalized lunch box notes for an extra-thoughtful surprise.
You can tailor each card to your child, their school day, or a special event they have coming up.
Free Printable Cute Sticky Notes Template Featuring Cartoon School Supplies
Prefer writing your own message? These printable sticky-note-style templates give you a cute place to add it.
Each design features a cheerful school-supply doodle with plenty of room for a personal note.
Free Printable Superhero Lunch Box Notes
Kids are all about superheroes, so let them know that they are your little superhero with these printable notes.
Each one features a familiar hero with a little joke or riddle about that character.
Random Acts of Kindness Ideas for Kids Printable Lunch Box Notes
One of the best ways to promote a good mood is to encourage kids to share it.
These printable lunch box notes each have a simple act of kindness that kids can easily do for others.
First Day Back to School Notes
Help calm those first-day jitters with these cheerful back-to-school notes.
Each card combines a school-themed design with an encouraging message children can read during lunch.
Lunch Box Jokes Printable
Ease back-to-school nerves with a quick lunchtime laugh.
These bite-size printable jokes are short enough for young readers and easy to slip into any lunch box.
Printable Lunchbox Planner and Notes Pack
Plan an entire week of school lunches with this printable organizer, then use the included lunch box notes to add a sweet surprise.
Itβs a practical set for making busy mornings feel a little more manageable.Β
Scary Cute Printable Monster Lunch Box Notes
Give the kids a monster of a good time at lunch with these printable back to school lunchbox notes.
Each one features a silly, not scary, monster as well as a bit of encouragement.
Back to School Lunch Box Notes FAQs
What should I write in my childβs lunch box note?
Keep the message brief and personal. You can write an encouraging sentence, a silly joke, a compliment, a reminder that you love them, or something related to their day. Messages such as βYouβve got this,β βI canβt wait to hear about your day,β or βI love your kind heartβ are easy for children to understand.
Are lunch box notes good for kids?
Lunch box notes can offer reassurance, encouragement, and a small connection to home during the school day. Positive and supportive messages may be especially comforting during the first days of school, before a test, or when a child is having a difficult week. Parenting resources also commonly recommend jokes, drawings, affirmations, and personalized messages.
Should I put a note in my childβs lunch every day?
You can, but you certainly do not have to. Some parents include one every day, while others save them for the first week of school, Mondays, test days, or occasional surprises. Sending them less frequently can also keep the notes from becoming expected or overlooked. Parents have mixed opinions about daily notes, so the best frequency depends on the child and your ability to keep up with the expectation.
What can I put on a lunch box note for a child who cannot read?
Use a simple picture, heart, smiley face, familiar symbol, sticker, or very short phrase you read aloud before school. One parent described reading the note to her four-year-old before school while keeping the accompanying picture a surprise for lunchtime.
What age are lunch box notes appropriate for?
Lunch box notes are most commonly used for preschool and elementary-age children, but there is no strict age limit. Older kids may still enjoy jokes, trivia, favorite movie references, or a quick personal messageβprovided it suits their personality and is not likely to embarrass them in front of friends.
How can I make lunch box notes more fun?
Try rotating between jokes, riddles, trivia questions, encouraging messages, cartoons, themed cards, and handwritten notes. You can also match them to a childβs current interests, which is a popular approach among parents who regularly make lunch notes.
Don’t forget to pin these Back to School Lunch Box Notes:





























